Redden State Forest - Appenzellar Tract - Timber Sale

The Delaware Department of Agriculture Forest Service is issuing a Request for Proposal for a commercial timber sale on the Appenzellar Tract at Redden State Forest. This procurement involves harvesting timber from 39 acres containing approximately 155,400 board feet of sawtimber across a single stand, including species such as Poplar, Red Oak, White Oak, Gum, Hickory, and Maple. The project will entail harvesting 510 trees with an average diameter of 19.1 inches and an average volume of 305 board feet per tree. Successful bidders must demonstrate prior harvesting evaluations, ability to perform contract requirements with documented crew and references, and appropriate equipment for timber operations. The evaluation will be based on a 100-point scoring system with weights allocated as follows: Prior Harvesting Evaluations (15 points), Ability to Perform (5 points), Equipment capability (5 points), and Bid Amount (75 points). Bids must be received by 1:00 p.m. on March 25, 2026, at the Delaware Department of Agriculture Forest Service office located at 2320 S DuPont Hwy, Dover, DE 19901, with public opening and reading of proposals occurring at that same time and location. The contract will be awarded within 30 calendar days of bid opening, and the successful bidder must execute contract documents within 30 calendar days of notification.

The contract term extends 365 calendar days from the date of execution with possible extensions available upon written request at least two weeks prior to expiration. All bidders must submit a $5,000 bid deposit as a certified check payable to the Delaware Department of Agriculture Forest Service, with unsuccessful bidders' deposits returned within seven days but no later than 60 days after contract signing. The successful bidder is responsible for all logging operations, site restoration, and compliance with Delaware Forestry Practices Erosion and Sediment Control Law, and must obtain Department approval of an Erosion and Sediment Control Permit prior to harvesting. Bidders must maintain liability insurance with minimum coverage of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence, plus property damage insurance of $50,000 minimum, and provide proof of Workers' Compensation insurance. Disqualification grounds include unsatisfactory performance records, Best Management Practice violations, permit violations, fraud, failure to complete prior harvests, or evidence of collusion among bidders. No set-aside designations or restrictions on bidder eligibility are noted in the solicitation materials.