GAR pond #6 timber sale

The Suwannee River Water Management District is soliciting bids for the Gar Pond #6 Timber Sale through Invitation to Bid (ITB No. 24/25-013 OPS), targeting a timber harvest in Clay County and Bayport CDP, Florida. The procurement involves a clear-cut harvest of approximately 25 acres of 60-year-old planted slash pine and natural hardwoods, with an optional additional 9-acre harvest area contingent on adjacent property access. Bidders must be master loggers with current designation, and the contract requires comprehensive timber harvesting including mandatory chipping of non-merchantable hardwood, hardwood tops, and pine tops. The bid is scheduled to be opened on September 8, 2025, at 10:30 AM EDT, with electronic submissions accepted through DemandStar. Key evaluation criteria include the highest total sale value, with the successful bidder required to provide a $5,000 damage and security deposit. The contract term will span 6 months from execution, with the District conducting routine inspections to ensure harvest objectives are met.

The District explicitly encourages participation from minority and veteran-owned businesses, offering preferences when bids are equally ranked. Bidders must adhere to strict Best Management Practices, maintain equipment cleanliness to prevent invasive plant spread, and follow comprehensive ecological and environmental guidelines. While a specific budget range is not disclosed, the lump-sum payment contract structure suggests flexibility in bid pricing. No incumbent vendors are identified in the documentation. The procurement requires successful bidders to demonstrate technical competence in timber harvesting, environmental stewardship, and compliance with professional logging standards. Potential respondents must possess master logger certification and the capability to execute a complex timber sale involving both pine and hardwood clear-cutting within specified environmental constraints.