Echo Good Neighbor Authority Timber Sale Prospectus

The State of South Dakota, through the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, is soliciting bids for the Echo Good Neighbor Authority Timber Sale located in the Mystic Ranger District near Hermosa, Codington County. This timber sale involves the harvest of ponderosa pine sawtimber and products-other-than-logs (POL) from 364 operable acres divided into seven units, with an optional 16.8 additional acres. The total estimated net sale volume is 852 CCF of sawtimber and 103 CCF of POL, with specific logging operations focusing on thinning from below and maintaining a target residual tree spacing of 20 feet. A mandatory field tour is scheduled for December 12, 2025, at 9:00 am at the intersection of CSP/FS Rd 602 and US Hwy 16A/Iron Mountain Rd. Sealed bids are due by December 29, 2025, with an anticipated award decision on December 30, 2025, and work commencement planned for January 15, 2026. The contract term is three years, terminating on March 31, 2029, with logging operations allowed seasonally from September 1 through March 31 for most units and September 1 through January 31 for Unit 4.

The timber sale does not appear to have specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises. The minimum acceptable bid is $0.25 per CCF for both sawtimber and POL, with payment based on weight scaling. Bidders must submit a $500.00 bid guarantee in the form of a certified check, bank draft, money order, bid bond, irrevocable letter of credit, or cash. Additional financial requirements include an advance payment of 25 percent of the contract value at signing, a performance bond equal to 10 percent of the total estimated stumpage value, and a brush disposal deposit of $5.76 per CCF. The contract is a flat-rate sale with no escalation or de-escalation provisions. While no specific incumbent vendors are mentioned, the sale involves comprehensive requirements including compliance with environmental regulations, road maintenance, and specific logging methods. The total estimated value of the timber sale appears to be slightly negative, with an increased amount of $10,576.12, suggesting potential additional costs or challenges for the winning bidder.