Little shoals #4 timber sale

Suwannee River Water Management District is soliciting bids through ITB 26/27-005 OPS for the Little Shoals #4 timber sale, a clearcut of approximately 97 acres in Columbia County, Florida, with electronic bids due through DemandStar by 10:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on November 18, 2026. No set-aside is designated for minority-owned, veteran-owned, or other special business categories. The District encourages minority business participation and provides preference only when service providers are ranked equally.

Bidders must identify a Master Logger with current designation who will be routinely available on-site during operations. The sale covers three stands: 30 acres of 1960s-planted slash pine, 40 acres of 1982-planted slash pine, and 27 acres of 1960s-scattered natural pine. The harvest is a clearcut of all merchantable timber within defined boundaries. Sinkholes require a 35-foot minimum no-harvest special management zone, and a safety spotter must be used at the railroad crossing for all trucks exiting the harvest area. Operations must comply with Florida Best Management Practices and "Come Clean, Leave Clean" invasive species protocols. Equipment fluid spills require immediate reporting to the District Project Manager. The successful bidder must maintain roads to pre-harvest condition at its own expense and accommodate public recreation during harvest. The District Project Manager will routinely assess harvest operations.

Insurance requirements include workers' compensation, motor vehicle liability of at least $1 million combined single limit, and general liability of at least $1 million.

Bidding is lump-sum for pine timber. Award goes to the highest total sale value, calculated from the District's estimated product volumes. The source does not state a dollar estimate for the sale. The contract term is twelve months, with a $10,000 damage deposit and payment due before contract execution. The successful bidder must execute a firm contract within 10 days of award. Bid results post by November 19, 2026. The District reserves the right to reject any and all bids. Bidders may inspect the sale area at their convenience via Highway 41 in western Columbia County using provided gate combinations.