Fisheating Creek WMA Creek Clearing Services

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking competitive bids for vegetation clearing services within the Fisheating Creek Wildlife Management Area in Glades County, Florida. The procurement is an Invitation to Bid (ITB) for creek channel clearing services, encompassing initial treatment and maintenance clearing across approximately 40 miles of creek channel. Bidders must submit hourly pricing for a minimum five-person crew, capable of clearing at least one mile of creek channel per week, with work anticipated to begin in January 2026 and be completed by May 31, 2026. A mandatory pre-bid conference and site visit is scheduled for December 16, 2025, at 10:00 AM ET in Moore Haven, Florida, with the deadline for written questions set for December 23, 2025, at 5:00 PM ET. Sealed bids are due January 9, 2026, at 4:00 PM ET, with the anticipated award date of January 14, 2026. The contract evaluation will be based on the lowest total price from a responsive and responsible bidder, with all bid items required for responsiveness.

Subcontracting is not permitted under this contract, and all bidders must be registered in the MyFloridaMarketPlace (MFMP) system and with SunBiz prior to bid opening. Contractors must comply with extensive state and federal requirements, including E-Verify employment eligibility verification, workers' compensation insurance with minimum limits of $100,000 per accident, and general liability insurance. The contract will be effective for four years upon issuance of the purchase order, though there is no guaranteed minimum work volume for maintenance clearing activities. Liquidated damages of $150 per calendar day will be assessed for failure to complete work by the specified completion date. Contractors must provide all necessary equipment, vessels, tools, and supplies, including fire extinguishers on all equipment, and maintain daily logs of work activities. While no specific award value is mentioned, the comprehensive requirements and extensive scope suggest a significant infrastructure and environmental management project within the Fisheating Creek Wildlife Management Area.