Planting - native submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV)

The St. Johns River Water Management District is issuing an Invitation for Bids (IFB) for planting native submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) in Lake Apopka and the Lake Apopka North Shore, located in Polk County, Florida. The procurement seeks qualified contractors to provide and plant two specific native SAV species: Vallisneria americana and Potamogeton illinoensis within water depths less than six feet. Contractors must develop an Adaptive Annual Planting Schedule, maintain chain-of-custody documentation, provide spatial GIS files of planted locations, and submit annual planting reports. Key deliverables include planting a minimum of 5,000 Individual Plant Units per acre using approved methods such as bare root plants with weights, triple bare root plants, and burlap "burrito" wrappings. Plant specifications require minimum blade/stem lengths of six inches with at least three healthy blades and roots, and Vallisneria americana plantings must include three distinct native ecotypes verified through PCR testing. The solicitation's key dates include a January 23, 2026 deadline for questions and a February 3, 2026, 1:00 PM submittal deadline, with the contract effective upon execution and extending through September 30, 2028, with potential two-year renewal options.

The contract does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged business enterprises. Contractors must obtain and maintain comprehensive insurance coverage, including commercial general liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate), automobile liability ($500,000), pollution liability ($1,000,000), and watercraft liability ($1,000,000). The District anticipates planting approximately 20-50 acres annually, though this amount is not guaranteed as a minimum or maximum. Contractors must secure necessary permits, including Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) permitting for obtaining, growing, and transporting SAV. The contract is contingent upon annual funding appropriations, with estimated annual expenditures to be determined. Pricing is structured on a unit cost per acre basis, covering all-inclusive expenses including labor, materials, equipment, mobilization, permits, and site preparation. The District reserves the right to award to the next lowest available respondent if the successful bidder fails to execute the Agreement within 90 days.