Richloam 24/25 Saw Palmetto Frond Sale

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Forest Service is conducting a sealed bid procurement for a saw palmetto frond harvesting contract within the Richloam Tract of Withlacoochee State Forest. The procurement covers approximately 11,833 acres across Hernando and Sumter Counties, specifically divided into two harvesting areas (Area A and Area B). Bidders are invited to submit proposals for harvesting saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) fronds under a twelve-month contract, with the primary objective of sustainable forest resource extraction. Interested parties must obtain complete bid information by contacting Andrew Kent at (352) 797-4126, with sealed bids due by May 22, 2025, at 10:00 AM EDT. The bids will be opened at 15019 Broad Street, Brooksville, FL 34601, with the Florida Forest Service reserving the right to reject any or all bids and waive any irregularities in the submission process. Bidders should carefully review the attached maps (Saw_Palmetto_Frond_Map_Area_A.pdf and Saw_Palmetto_Frond_Map_Area_B.pdf) which detail the specific harvesting zones and forest road access. The procurement requires potential contractors to demonstrate capability in sustainable frond harvesting within a state forest environment.

The solicitation does not explicitly outline any specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged business enterprises or small businesses. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the procurement documents, and there are no mentioned infrastructure or technology integration requirements. The documents do not provide a specific budget range or estimated contract value for the saw palmetto frond harvesting opportunity. The contract is explicitly defined as a twelve-month agreement, with harvesting rights limited to the specified 11,833 acres within the Withlacoochee State Forest. Potential bidders will need to demonstrate technical capability, understanding of sustainable forestry practices, and ability to efficiently harvest saw palmetto fronds within the designated areas. While financial terms are not detailed, interested parties should be prepared to submit a comprehensive bid that demonstrates both operational capability and commitment to responsible forest resource management. The procurement appears designed to select a qualified vendor who can effectively and sustainably harvest saw palmetto fronds while maintaining the ecological integrity of the state forest.