Springhill Roller Chopping - Blackwater River State Forest

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is seeking competitive bids for roller chopping services within the Blackwater River State Forest in Santa Rosa County, Florida. The procurement involves approximately 610 acres of previously cleared land with vegetation ranging from 5 to 15 feet tall, including small pine and oak trees, yaupons, vines, and underbrush. Contractors must provide a minimum of two tractor/choppers capable of cutting woody debris up to four inches in diameter and flattening stems up to six inches in diameter, with drums at least 42 inches in diameter and fully water-ballasted. Key procurement dates include a bid release on 08/13/2025, a recommended site visit from 08/13/2025 to 08/19/2025, written inquiries due by 08/19/2025, and sealed bids due by 08/28/2025 at 5:00 PM, with a public bid opening on 08/29/2025 at 10:00 AM. Bidders must submit various certifications including past performance references, a subcontractors list, drug-free workplace documentation, and vendor certifications. The evaluation criteria will focus on the lowest Grand Total Price, with the department reserving the right to adjust the number of acres. The contract period is anticipated to run from the purchase order issuance through November 15, 2025.

The procurement appears open to all qualified vendors with specific state requirements for participation. Vendors must be registered in the E-Verify system, maintain a drug-free workplace, and cannot be on prohibited vendor lists. The project is part of the Blackwater River State Forest, which is certified under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative's 2022 Forest Management Standard. While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are mentioned, bidders must demonstrate technical capability and compliance with state regulations. The bid will be awarded to the most responsive and responsible vendor with the lowest total price. No specific budget range or award value is explicitly stated in the documentation, though the scope covers 610 acres of roller chopping services. The project represents a sustainable forest management initiative within the Blackwater River State Forest, focusing on vegetation management and forest maintenance. Potential bidders should carefully review the detailed Invitation to Bid (ITB FFS 25 26 27) and accompanying map documents to fully understand the project requirements and site specifications.