Oyster Good Neighbor Authority Timber Sale Prospectus

The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources is conducting a Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) timber sale opportunity in the Northern Hills Ranger District, located approximately 9 miles from Sturgis, SD. The procurement involves the sale of timber across 111 operable acres divided into 5 units, specifically targeting 1,068 CCF of ponderosa pine sawtimber and an optional 40 CCF of pole (POL) timber. Prospective bidders must participate in a mandatory field tour scheduled for September 12, 2025, at 9:00 am, meeting at the intersection of FS 170.5H and FS 170/Galena Road. Bid proposals are due by September 24, 2025, at 5:00 pm, with an anticipated award decision on September 25, 2025, and potential work commencement on October 2, 2025. Bidders must submit a $500 bid guarantee and meet specific operational requirements, including using rubber-tired skidders on slopes less than or equal to 40%, whole tree yarding methods, and adherence to streamside management zone restrictions. The timber sale contract will run for three years, terminating on March 31, 2028, with an operating season from September 1 to February 28, allowing a maximum of three units to be open for logging simultaneously.

The procurement does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The minimum acceptable bid is set at $32.07 per CCF for ponderosa pine sawtimber and $0.25 per CCF for optional POL timber. Bidders must provide a performance bond of 10% of the total estimated stumpage value and pay additional deposits, including a $4.96 per CCF brush disposal deposit and a $0.20 per CCF road maintenance deposit. An advance payment of 25% is required at contract signing, with monthly invoices issued on the 15th of each month during harvest operations. Timber will be weight scaled, with 75.11 pounds equaling one cubic foot for sawtimber and 75.29 pounds per cubic foot for POL. While no specific incumbent vendors are mentioned, the contract includes detailed specifications for harvesting, road maintenance, erosion control, and noxious weed management. The total estimated value of the timber sale is not explicitly stated, but can be calculated based on the per CCF rates and total timber volume.