Herbicide Treatment Services - Myakka State Forest

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is soliciting sealed bids under Invitation to Bid FFS 26 27 47 for herbicide treatment of invasive exotic plants across approximately 241 acres at Myakka State Forest, with a mandatory pre-bid site visit on November 3, 2026 and bids due November 18, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Attendance is limited to two representatives per vendor. Contractors must hold valid FDACS pesticide applicator licenses in the Natural Areas Weed Management or aquatic category, which functions as the principal eligibility filter. The source identifies no set-aside or preference program.

Work targets Florida Invasive Species Council Category 1 non-native plants, where coverage ranges from less than 1% to approximately 50%, using specified application methods and equipment. The contractor supplies all materials, equipment, labor, supervision, site cleanup, equipment decontamination, and waste disposal at its own expense, and must comply with federal, state, and local herbicide regulations. Vendors must provide three verifiable references from similar projects completed within the past five years and a list of approved subcontractors with appropriate licenses. Required insurance includes general liability of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate, automobile liability of $300,000, and workers' compensation under Florida Statute 440. A 1.0% MyFloridaMarketPlace transaction fee applies to all payments received.

The source does not state a contract value. FDACS anticipates a purchase order for an initial one-year term, with renewal in one-year increments not to exceed three additional years upon mutual agreement. The project must be completed by June 10, 2027, with at least 95% of treated plants dead within three months of completion. Work is performed at Myakka State Forest, 2555 S. River Road, Englewood, in Sarasota County, and the mapping appendix also depicts treatment areas in Charlotte County. The solicitation lists Leon County as the jurisdiction.

Award goes to the responsive and responsible vendor offering the lowest initial term grand total price. Vendors submit firm fixed unit pricing per acre on Attachment E. Sealed bids are delivered to the FDACS Mayo Building in Tallahassee, and the public bid opening is November 19, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. The solicitation attaches Appendix I - MAP.pdf and ITB FFS 26 27 47_Final.pdf.