Long term protected gopher tortoise conservation recipient site(s) for florida’s turnpike enterprise

The Florida Department of Transportation's Turnpike Enterprise is soliciting bids for Long Term Protected Gopher Tortoise Conservation Recipient Site(s) to support the SR 589 Suncoast Parkway 2 Phase 3B project in Citrus County. The procurement seeks qualified bidders capable of accepting up to 191 gopher tortoises from a donor site, with potential for future permit amendments to accept additional tortoises. The primary deliverable involves establishing one or more conservation sites that can provide long-term habitat for relocated tortoises, with bidders required to demonstrate expertise in wildlife conservation and habitat management. The solicitation requires comprehensive documentation of site suitability, including environmental conditions and tortoise management capabilities. Key procurement dates include a bid submission deadline of March 17, 2025 at 2:30 PM ET, with a public bid opening at 3:00 PM ET, and vendor questions due by March 5, 2025 at 5:00 PM ET. The Department anticipates posting a notice of intended award on March 24, 2025, with an initial contract term of 5 years and potential renewal for an additional 5 years.

The procurement does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder(s) based on unit rates, with pricing structured to include per-tortoise unit rates for adult/subadult tortoises (estimated 144) and juvenile tortoises (estimated 47), plus a five-year reservation letter deposit not exceeding 20% of total tortoise costs. Bidders may submit proposals for less than the total estimated quantities, and all payments will be subject to a 1% MyFloridaMarketPlace transaction fee. The project location is centered at coordinates 28°57'34.50"N 82°36'23.79"W, and the Department reserves the right to retain multiple recipient sites to meet project requirements. While specific budget ranges are not detailed, the procurement suggests a comprehensive approach to wildlife conservation that balances environmental protection with infrastructure development needs.