RFB02132025 For License Sale of Timber Yatesville Lake WMA

The Commonwealth of Kentucky, Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, through the Division of Real Properties, is issuing a Request for Bids (RFB02132025) for a timber license sale and harvest at Yatesville Lake Wildlife Management Area located in Lawrence County, Kentucky. The procurement seeks a qualified bidder to harvest timber from approximately 151 acres divided into three units (Unit 1: 62 acres, Unit 2: 56 acres, Unit 3: 33 acres) and to improve Arrington Branch Road, a 2.6-mile access road within the WMA. The successful bidder must complete all timber removal and road improvements within two years from the contract execution date, with an option to renew if reasonable progress has been demonstrated. The bidder must obtain commercial general liability insurance with a minimum $1,000,000 combined single limit and $2,000,000 aggregate, comply with all Kentucky Forest Conservation Act Best Management Practices, and hire a Kentucky Master Logger to be present during all harvesting activities. Timber harvesting is restricted to August 1 through March 31 due to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regulations protecting migratory birds. Evaluation will be based 55 points on the bid amount and 45 points on prior work quality based on reference comments from three required landowner or character references from projects completed within the past five years. Sealed bids are due Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. EST, submitted to the Division of Real Properties, Bush Building, 403 Wapping Street, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601-2607. A bidders' conference call is available on the bid opening date at (502) 782-2663, ID code 240522021, participation code 77330, and site visits are encouraged prior to bid submission.

The solicitation does not specify set-aside designations or restrictions limiting eligible bidders to particular enterprise types or disadvantaged business categories based on available documentation. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the procurement materials. The bidder will submit a lump sum payment for all timber products, with separate bid amounts submitted for each unit minus documented road improvement costs for Arrington Branch Road. A $5,000 performance bond is required within five days of contract signing, and a total bond payment of $10,000 plus the full lump sum price must be submitted before any logging activity begins, with the bond forfeited if contractual conditions are not met. The contract will be awarded to the responsible, responsive bidder whose offer is most advantageous to the department based on the stated evaluation criteria. While the solicitation does not specify a fixed contract award value or budget range, the lump sum structure indicates that award value will be determined by the successful bidder's offer for timber harvesting rights and associated road improvements. Interested parties may contact Wendell Harris at 502-564-9831 for additional information regarding the opportunity.