FY27 Longleaf Hand-Planting Tuskegee National Forest

The State of Alabama Office of the Chief Procurement Officer is requesting bids for hand-planting longleaf pine seedlings across approximately 35 acres at Tuskegee National Forest in Macon County, with responses due November 2, 2026. The vendor supplies labor only; the USFS provides containerized seedlings for pickup at the Tuskegee work center.

Planting must occur between December 1, 2026, and March 1, 2027, at a 14-foot by 14-foot spacing (222 trees per acre) across two tracts of 12 and 23 acres. At least 90 percent of seedlings must be correctly planted per AFC's resource sheet "Planting Pine Seedlings." The vendor is responsible for proper care and handling of seedlings during custody, including maintaining plug integrity, preventing potting-medium loss, and ensuring plugs never dry out; the top of the plug should be slightly exposed above the soil surface.

The not-to-exceed total contract cost is $25,000, with contract renewal available annually by written agreement for up to five years from the effective date. The State reserves the right to conduct cost realism and price reasonableness analysis. Price escalation requests may be considered if material or labor costs significantly increase, with approved increases not exceeding 5 percent of annual contract cost and subject to submission of justification and supporting documentation.

Vendors must be registered in Alabama Buys and submit responses electronically through that platform. All suppliers must comply with Alabama state requirements, including E-Verify enrollment verification, sales tax exemption documentation, foreign corporation registration if applicable, and certification regarding sales tax collection and remittance compliance. The contract is governed by Alabama law with exclusive venue in Montgomery. Interested bidders may examine the tract at any time.