Timber marking FY 26-28

The St. Johns River Water Management District is issuing a Quote Request for professional forestry contractors to provide timber marking and timber cruise services across approximately 645 acres annually in preparation for commercial thinning operations throughout north-central Florida. The primary deliverables include marking trees for harvest using District-approved blue paint across 23 Conservation Areas located in Clay, Volusia, Putnam, St. Johns, Flagler, Duval, Alachua, and Marion counties, and performing timber cruises to estimate harvest volumes following the marking of each stand. The work composition includes approximately 82% planted pine second and third thinnings, 10% natural pine second and third thinnings, and 8% natural pine first thinnings. Contractors must submit per-acre bids for two categories (second and third thinnings, and first thinnings in natural pine) as well as per-plot pricing for timber cruises, and must provide all equipment, District-approved blue paint, and cruise equipment. The evaluation will award the contract to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder based on total quoted price. The contract period spans three years through September 30, 2028, with two additional one-year renewal options available upon mutual written agreement. The deadline for questions is April 8, 2026, with submittals due by 2:00 PM on April 15, 2026; no pre-bid meeting is scheduled.

No set-asides, incumbent preferences, or special funding restrictions are identified in this solicitation, indicating that all qualified professional forestry contractors are eligible to respond regardless of business designation or disadvantaged enterprise status. The District will conduct weekly site visits for contract compliance monitoring and will provide work area maps and selection to support contractor operations. The fiscal year 2025-2026 budget is $44,000, with similar funding anticipated for subsequent contract years. The District reserves the right to terminate the agreement for convenience with thirty days' notice if funding becomes unavailable, as compensation is contingent upon annual appropriations from the District's Governing Board. No incumbent vendor information or existing technology integration requirements are specified in the solicitation documents.