Slash Pine and Longleaf Pine Planting Services – Goethe State Forest

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is requesting bids for slash pine and longleaf pine planting services on approximately 480 acres within Goethe State Forest in Levy County, with sealed bids due September 28, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. A recommended site visit is available September 17–18, 2026, and vendor questions are due September 21, 2026.

The scope consists of two tracts: the Otter Creek Tract (approximately 454 acres requiring machine planting of bare-root slash pine seedlings at 726 trees per acre) and the Daniels Island Tract (approximately 26 acres requiring hand planting of containerized longleaf pine seedlings at 726 trees per acre). The contractor must maintain a minimum of two operational planting machines and plant at least 15 acres per day. The Florida Forest Service will supply all seedlings; the contractor provides labor, materials, equipment, tools, transportation, and supervision. No planting activities are permitted before December 1, 2026, and all work must be completed by January 31, 2027. Payment is issued upon completion and verification of satisfactory planting by the Forester-in-Charge, calculated at a unit price per acre for each site.

The contractor must maintain general liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, automobile liability insurance of $300,000, and workers' compensation insurance per Florida law. Three references from similar projects completed within the last five years are required. The contractor must execute Attachment E (Certification Regarding Lobbying and Debarment) and Attachment G (Vendor Certification) and comply with all resource protection requirements, best management practices, and Florida environmental laws. An FFS representative must be present on-site during all operations.

Award will be made to the responsive and responsible vendor with the lowest Grand Total Price. The Department reserves the right to modify quantities and may terminate early if adverse weather prevents operations. The contract period begins upon purchase order execution and continues through February 28, 2027.