Re-bid Timber Sale- Sand Ridge State Forest Management 2026 Harvest

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is procuring timber harvesting services for the Re-bid Timber Sale at Sand Ridge State Forest in Mason County, with proposals due by June 5, 2026. This commercial timber harvest project involves the removal of approximately 214 acres of mature red and white pine plantation, with an estimated 8,500 trees yielding approximately 1,211,000 board feet on the Doyle scale. Qualified vendors must possess a current Illinois Timber Buyer's license and are responsible for providing all equipment, materials, and personnel necessary to complete operations within a 24-month contract term commencing as soon as possible following contract execution in 2026. The primary objectives include removing mature and overmature pine timber while promoting oak and hickory regeneration, supporting wildlife conservation efforts, and reducing fuel loads in the forest management area. The vendor must comply with mandatory operational suspensions during First and Second Firearm Deer Seasons (the Friday-Sunday before and Thursday-Sunday after Thanksgiving, respectively) and restrictions on harvest activities from April 1 to July 31 to comply with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Pricing is on a firm lump sum basis, with the vendor required to submit 50 percent of the lump sum payment plus a 10 percent performance deposit upon contract execution and the remaining 50 percent due prior to beginning work. The performance deposit is refundable within 30 days of satisfactory completion following on-site inspection, and vendors are subject to financial penalties for violations, including triple the average price per tree plus $200 for each undesignated merchantable tree cut.

The solicitation does not indicate specific set-aside designations or restrictions limiting bidder eligibility based on organizational type or disadvantaged enterprise status; however, subcontractors are permitted with proper notification to the State, and those with annual contract values exceeding $50,000 must provide financial disclosures and conflicts of interest statements. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the available procurement documents. Vendors must comply with the State of Illinois Standard Terms and Conditions, which require general commercial liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence with $2,000,000 annual aggregate, auto liability coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence, and workers' compensation insurance as required by law, with the State named as additionally insured. All payments are made to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Forest Resources via bank draft, cashier's check, certified check, or money order, deposited into the Forestry Development Fund. The specific award value or budget range is not disclosed in the procurement documents; however, the lump sum contract value will be determined through the competitive bidding process. Questions and additional information regarding this procurement should be directed to IDNR Forester Matt Peterson at 700 S. 10th Street, Havana, Illinois 62644 (309-543-3401 or 309-840-3534 cell).