Red cockaded woodpecker raking

The South Carolina Forestry Commission is requesting sealed bids for Red Cockaded Woodpecker raking services on approximately 400–650 cavity trees within the Francis Marion National Forest in Charleston and Berkeley Counties, with offers due November 4, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. and award notification expected November 6, 2026.

The scope involves clearing brush, vegetation, and pine needles within a 10-foot radius around flagged RCW cavity trees using hand tools, brush cutters, chainsaws, or similar equipment, with all debris removed and scattered outside the cleared area. Work is scheduled to run from November 5, 2026 through February 1, 2027. Pricing must be submitted on a per-tree unit-cost basis. Attachment A provides a draft compartment allocation showing 21 compartments totaling 525 trees; the final tree count and compartment breakdown will be subject to change upon award.

Contractors must register as a state vendor prior to bid submission and provide a Federal UEI number. A performance bond of $15,000 is required within ten days of award. Commercial general liability insurance with $1,000,000 per-occurrence limits, auto liability coverage, and workers' compensation insurance are mandatory. All costs—labor, materials, equipment, fuel, and supervision—must be included in the unit price.

The contract is contingent on U.S. Forest Service approval; work utilizes federal funds and must comply with 2 CFR 200 procurement standards. Contractors must obtain all necessary licenses and permits and attend a mandatory pre-work conference with the SC Forestry Commission and Forest Service prior to commencing work. Payment is made on a Net 30 basis following invoice submission and U.S. Forest Service verification of completion.

Questions are due October 27, 2026. No pre-bid conference is scheduled. Bids are evaluated on a lowest-responsible-and-responsive basis. Submission is online at www.procurement.sc.gov or by sealed mail/physical delivery to the SC Forestry Commission Procurement Office.