IFB_EFV_Final

The St. Johns River Water Management District is issuing an Invitation for Bids (IFB 41904_IFB26) to select a single qualified contractor to provide annual planting of native emergent floating-leaved vegetation in designated areas of Lake Apopka and the Lake Apopka North Shore. The procurement seeks to restore aquatic habitat through the planting of four native species—Nuphar advena (Spatterdock), Nymphaea odorata (White Water Lily), Nymphaea mexicana (Yellow Water Lily), and Nelumbo lutea (American Lotus)—at a density of 2,420 plants per acre using concrete block and twine planting methods. The selected contractor must be capable of commencing work within 30 days of award and must possess or obtain all necessary permits, including Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) permitting for obtaining, growing, and transporting vegetation. The contractor is responsible for all labor, materials, equipment, mobilization, transportation, permits, and associated costs. Pricing is structured as all-inclusive unit costs per acre for each plant species, with bidders completing a cost schedule based on estimated annual acreage. The deadline for submitting questions is February 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM, with bids due by 1:00 PM on Monday, March 2, 2026. No pre-bid meeting is scheduled. The Agreement term extends through September 30, 2028, with potential for up to two additional 12-month renewal terms by mutual written approval.

The contract does not specify set-aside designations or restrictions limiting participation to specific types of organizations based on disadvantaged enterprise status. The contractor must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage, including workers' compensation, commercial general liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate), automobile liability ($500,000), and watercraft liability ($1,000,000), and must comply with all federal, state, and local regulations, including E-Verify employment verification, public records laws, and anti-discrimination requirements. Monthly invoices are submitted with payment made within 45 days of receipt of approved invoices. The Agreement is contingent on annual funding appropriations by the District's Governing Board, with estimated expenditures to be determined for each fiscal year (February 1, 2025–September 30, 2026; October 1, 2026–September 30, 2027; and October 1, 2027–September 30, 2028). Funding is derived from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection under CSFA No. 37.022. No incumbent vendor, current contractor, or specific budget range is listed in the procurement documents.