Tandem Roller Chopping – Lake George State Forest and Tiger Bay State Forest

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has issued an Invitation to Bid (ITB No: ITB FFS 25 26 28) for tandem roller chopping services across two state forests in Volusia County. The procurement involves mechanical site preparation on approximately 196 acres within Lake George State Forest (113 acres on Mary Farms Tract and 83 acres on Astor Tract) and 226 acres within Tiger Bay State Forest (144 acres on South Tract and 82 acres on Rima Ridge Tract). Bidders must provide a tandem roller chopper meeting specific dimensional requirements and ensure a minimum of 95% treatment coverage, with GPS tracking of application. The bid was released on August 19, 2025, with sealed bids due by September 3, 2025, at 5:00 pm, and a public bid opening scheduled via teleconference on September 4, 2025, at 10:00 am. The contract period runs from execution through December 5, 2025, with the Department reserving the right to adjust treatment acres and potentially contract up to an additional 20% of specified acres at the same unit price.

The solicitation requires contractors to meet specific insurance requirements, including general liability, automobile liability, and worker's compensation coverage. Bidders must thoroughly clean all equipment before entering state forests to prevent invasive species introduction. The Department intends to make a single award or potentially no award, with selection based on the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. No specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises are mentioned in the procurement documents. While a precise budget range is not specified, the contract will be awarded on a per-acre unit price basis for site preparation services. The Florida Forest Service will evaluate bids primarily on price, with considerations for the contractor's ability to meet technical specifications, equipment readiness, and compliance with environmental and operational requirements.