Red Cockaded Woodpecker Raking

The South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC) is seeking a qualified vendor to perform specialized forest management services focused on protecting Red-cockaded Woodpecker (RCW) cavity trees within the Francis Marion National Forest, spanning Charleston and Berkeley Counties. The procurement involves comprehensive stand treatments, specifically raking and clearing approximately 400-650 RCW cavity trees using hand tools, brush cutters, chainsaws, and other specialized equipment. Contractors must provide all necessary materials, labor, equipment, and GPS location services to complete the forest management activities. The solicitation requires bidders to quote a per-tree cost and mandates a pre-work conference with the SCFC and Francis Marion National Forest before commencing work. Key project dates include a bid submission deadline of October 14, 2025, at 2:00 PM, with questions accepted until October 7, 2025, and an anticipated contract award posting on October 15, 2025. The work period is scheduled between December 2, 2025, and January 15, 2026, with contractors required to adhere to specific vegetation management protocols.

The contract requires a performance bond of $15,000 and mandates comprehensive contractor liability insurance, including commercial general liability, auto liability, and worker's compensation coverage. While no specific set-aside designations or restrictions on organizational types are explicitly mentioned, the technical complexity and specialized nature of the work suggest that experienced forestry and environmental management firms are most likely to be competitive. The draft compartment inventory identifies 601 trees across multiple compartments, with tree counts ranging from 9 to 89 per compartment, indicating a nuanced and detailed scope of work. Although a specific award value is not disclosed, the requirement for specialized equipment, technical expertise, and comprehensive insurance suggests a moderate to significant contract value. Potential bidders should possess demonstrated experience in forest management, ecological conservation, and specialized vegetation removal techniques specific to protected wildlife habitats.