Land Management – Cross Bar / Al Bar Ranch

Pinellas County, Florida is seeking a land management contractor for the Cross Bar / Al Bar Ranch property through RFP #23-1018-RFP, a comprehensive 60-month contract with potential four additional 60-month extensions. The solicitation covers management of a 12,378-acre property in Pasco County, with primary objectives including ecosystem management, forestry coordination, site security, fire line maintenance, wildfire suppression, infrastructure maintenance, and wildlife control. The selected contractor will be responsible for managing 1,600 acres of pastureland, maintaining four on-site residences and two barns, and supporting various ecological and forestry initiatives. Key deliverables include site security, gate and fence maintenance, road upkeep, mowing, tree/debris clearing, and nuisance wildlife control. Critical procurement dates include a non-mandatory site visit on August 15, 2023, question submission deadline of August 22, 2023, and proposal submission deadline of September 7, 2023 at 3:00 pm. The contractor must demonstrate expertise in land management, environmental monitoring, prescribed burns, and coordination with agencies like Tampa Bay Water and Southwest Florida Water Management District.

The solicitation does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises. The contract requires the selected vendor to provide performance security of $50,000 and comprehensive insurance coverage. While no incumbent vendor is specifically mentioned, the property currently generates income through pine straw and timber production, which will be part of the management responsibilities. The existing infrastructure includes approximately 3 miles of internal roads, two barns, three residential houses, a visitor center, and sophisticated ecological zones including a Scrub Jay Management Area. The property's existing technological infrastructure includes multiple water production wells, detailed GIS mapping, and established ecosystem and forest management plans. Though a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the contract includes a detailed pricing proposal with line items for various services, and the contractor will receive credits for residential use, pasture use, and other site amenities. The successful contractor will need to balance ecological restoration, wildlife conservation, and economic sustainability of the property.