Franklin 2026 Fiber & Product Supply 25/26 Timber Sale

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Forest Service is seeking sealed bids for a timber sale within Tate's Hell State Forest, located in Franklin and Liberty Counties. The procurement involves a multi-stand first thinning operation of 25-46-year-old planted pine stands across approximately 5,372 acres. The successful bidder will be required to harvest 70,000 tons of timber annually over a three-year agreement period, with estimated total volumes of 195,575 tons of pine pulpwood, 114,593 tons of pine chip-n-saw, and 54,682 tons of pine sawtimber. The harvest will employ a take two rows, leave three rows approach, with selective tree removal to achieve a residual basal area of 50-60 square feet per acre. Timber removal will prioritize diseased, deformed, suppressed, and forked trees, followed by intermediate and co-dominant trees as needed to reach target basal area specifications. Sealed bids will be opened on January 29, 2026, at 10:00 AM EST at 865 Geddie Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32304, with interested parties directed to contact Tyler Gilbert at (850) 697-0024 for complete bid information.

The timber sale does not specify any set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations. The forest is SFI Certified (Certificate Number BVC-SFIFM-700005), indicating compliance with sustainable forestry standards, and the Forester-in-Charge retains the authority to adjust harvest prescriptions and target basal areas as operational conditions warrant. No specific pricing terms, incumbent vendors, or precise award values are detailed in the documentation. The Florida Forest Service reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive any irregularities in bids received. While no explicit budget range is provided, the comprehensive nature of the sale, encompassing nearly 5,372 acres and requiring an annual harvest of 70,000 tons of timber, suggests a substantial contract opportunity for qualified timber harvesting enterprises.