Marshy Hope Wildlife Area Timber Sale

The Delaware Department of Agriculture Forest Service is soliciting bids for a commercial timber sale at the Marshy Hope Wildlife Area, located near Bridgeville in Sussex County. The procurement involves a timber harvesting contract for approximately 93 acres of woodland, utilizing a savanna thinning method with specific forestry management requirements. The contract, identified as AGR26004FW with number FS-2026-04-FW, requires removing unacceptable growing stock between rows and maintaining a residual basal area of 40 square feet per acre. Interested bidders must submit a $5,000 certified check bid deposit by December 4th, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., with the contract term set to expire on or before March 1st, 2025. Bidders must provide weekly payments based on haul/weight slips, with all timber loads to be weighed on a state-certified motor truck scale. The procurement requires comprehensive liability insurance coverage, including $100,000 per person, $300,000 per occurrence, and $50,000 for property damage.

The timber sale does not specify specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Bidders must comply with strict environmental and operational guidelines, including proper erosion control, waste management, and specific tree harvesting protocols. The Department of Agriculture reserves the right to halt logging operations due to wet weather conditions or environmental concerns, with potential forfeiture of the bid deposit for non-compliance. While a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the $5,000 bid deposit suggests a moderate-scale timber harvesting project. The contract includes provisions for potential contract termination if operational standards are not met, emphasizing the importance of environmental stewardship and precise forest management practices. Prospective bidders should carefully review the full request for proposal document to understand the comprehensive requirements and operational expectations for this timber sale opportunity.