Hatchbend #1 timber sale

The Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) has issued an Invitation to Bid (ITB No. 24/25-007 OPS) for the Hatchbend #1 Timber Sale, a comprehensive clearcut timber harvest located in Lafayette County, Florida. The procurement encompasses approximately 91 acres of 36-year-old planted loblolly, slash, and longleaf pine, along with mixed hardwood timber. Bidders must be certified master loggers and are required to perform a complete clearcut, with specific requirements including chipping non-merchantable hardwood greater than three inches in diameter, hardwood tops, and pine tops. The bid opening is scheduled for April 22, 2025, at 11:00 AM EDT, with electronic submissions accepted through DemandStar. Bidders must submit an advance payment of $10,000 and a $10,000 damage/security deposit, with the contract term set at 12 months from execution. The District will evaluate bids based on total sale value, using its estimated product volumes, and reserves the right to refuse any or all bids. Successful bidders must adhere to Best Management Practices, maintain equipment cleanliness to prevent invasive plant spread, and follow strict ecological and environmental protection guidelines.

No specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises were explicitly mentioned in the procurement documents. The timber sale is structured as a per-unit rate, pay-as-cut sale, with potential award values determined by the volume of timber harvested. The contract requires the successful bidder to enter into a firm contract within 10 days of bid award and will be subject to routine assessment by the District's Project Manager to ensure all objectives are met. While no incumbent vendors were identified, the procurement includes comprehensive environmental and operational requirements that suggest a rigorous selection process. The total project scope involves harvesting timber from a 91-acre tract, with the potential economic value dependent on current timber market rates and the specific volumes of pine and hardwood identified during the harvest. The $10,000 advance payment and damage deposit indicate the District's emphasis on financial commitment and operational integrity from potential contractors.