UF IFAS Millhopper Timber Sale

The University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is soliciting sealed, per-unit (pay-as-cut) offers for the sale and harvesting of merchantable pine and hardwood timber at the Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Millhopper Unit in Gainesville, Alachua County, Florida, with offers due September 24, 2026 at 3:30 p.m.

The sale encompasses approximately 232 acres divided into three harvest types: Selective Harvest of Pine Plantation and Natural Pine-Hardwood (201.1 acres) targeting hardwood trees with diameter at breast height (DBH) 4 inches and above and pine DBH 4"–7.5"; Plantation Clearcut (17.3 acres) removing hardwood DBH 4 inches and above and all pine DBH 4 inches and above; and 3rd-Row Thin with Operator Select in 2016 Loblolly Plantation (14.1 acres) with selective removal based on density, defect, and low vigor. The sale is anticipated to be best-suited for in-woods chipping, though some material may be suitable for other products. Offerors must hold Master Logger status and may not subcontract without prior written approval from the University.

Offers must be submitted on a per-ton basis with a single blended price for all pine and hardwood products. The successful offeror must provide a $5,000 security deposit within 30 days of award notification or two days prior to commencing harvesting, whichever is earlier, and must complete all harvesting operations within one year from the contract date, with extensions considered only for Acts of God or extreme contingencies at the University's sole discretion. Prior to commencing work, the purchaser must maintain Workers Compensation Insurance, Commercial General Liability Insurance ($1,000,000 per occurrence), and Automobile Liability Insurance ($1,000,000 per occurrence) and provide certificates naming the University of Florida as an additional insured.

The purchaser must comply with all Florida Silviculture Best Management Practices and Forestry-Wildlife Best Management Practices, maintain the sale area free of debris, leave roads in similar condition as pre-harvesting, and dispose of equipment fluids off-site. The University reserves the right to reject any or all offers. Site inspections may be arranged by contacting Aaron Smith at 850.688.4425 or atsmith@ufl.edu.