RFB11192025 For License Salvage Timber Sale

The Commonwealth of Kentucky, through the Division of Real Properties on behalf of the Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves, is soliciting sealed bids for a salvage timber harvesting license at the William H. Martin State Natural Area located in Pulaski County, Kentucky. The procurement involves the removal of downed timber and timber debris from approximately 104.2 acres, with the successful contractor having two years from contract execution to complete all timber removal operations. Bidders must submit a lump sum payment proposal for all identified timber products and are required to attend a mandatory site visit on either November 10 or November 12, 2025, and sign in with the area manager to qualify for bid consideration. Key requirements include possessing a current notarized affidavit certifying compliance with Kentucky campaign finance laws, maintaining commercial general liability insurance with a minimum $1,000,000 combined single limit coverage naming the Commonwealth as an additional insured, employing a Kentucky Master Logger on-site at all times during harvesting operations, and complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws including worker compensation, OSHA, and Kentucky Forest Conservation Act requirements. Bidders must account for all road improvement costs, including rock, dirt work, and drainage necessary to facilitate timber removal and extraction, with documented statements and receipts required to substantiate these expenditures. Evaluation of bids will be weighted 55 points for bid amount and 45 points for prior work quality based on required references—specifically, up to three landowner references from properties where the bidder conducted timber harvesting within the past five years—with bids submitted with fewer than three references rejected as non-responsive. Sealed bids must be submitted to the Division of Real Properties, Bush Building, 3rd Floor, 403 Wapping Street, Frankfort, Kentucky, no later than December 3, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. ET, with bids to be publicly opened and read aloud, and a bidders' conference call available during the public bid opening.

The solicitation does not specify set-aside designations or restrictions targeting disadvantaged enterprises or specific organizational types, and no incumbent vendor information is identified in the available documentation. The successful bidder will be required to pay a $10,000 performance bond, consisting of an initial $5,000 deposit within five days of contract signing plus an additional $5,000, and the full lump sum bid price prior to commencing any harvesting activities. The contract will commence upon execution by the Secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet, with an option to renew for an additional term only if reasonable progress has been demonstrated within the initial two-year period. No specific award value or budget range is disclosed in the bid documents; the contract value will be determined by the lump sum bids received from qualified contractors. Prospective bidders should direct inquiries regarding the opportunity to Kelly Hawkins at 502-229-4366, and online bidding is prohibited for this solicitation, requiring all submissions to be made through traditional bid receiving methods as outlined in the terms and conditions.