Yucca Pens and 41 Tract Forestry Mulching Rebid

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking competitive bids for forestry mulching services in the Babcock/Webb and Yucca Pens Unit Wildlife Management Areas located in Charlotte and Lee Counties. The project involves selective mechanical vegetation treatment of up to 16,000 acres, focusing on reducing dense saw palmetto and wax myrtle to improve wildlife habitat and facilitate prescribed burning operations. Bidders must provide a minimum 170 horsepower rubber-tired mulcher and complete a mandatory site visit prior to bid submission. The initial contract term runs through June 20, 2025, with potential for two additional one-year renewals. Key deliverables include mechanical vegetation treatment primarily during dry months (January-April), GPS tracking data verification of treated areas, and pricing submitted on a per-acre basis for the initial term and potential renewal years. The bid is due on December 11, 2024, at 2:30 PM ET, with a public bid opening scheduled for the same date and time. Evaluation will consider pricing, equipment capabilities, and the contractor's ability to meet project specifications and timing requirements.

The solicitation encourages participation from certified minority-owned, woman-owned, and service-disabled veteran business enterprises, though no specific set-aside percentages are specified. Contractors must be registered in the MyFloridaMarketPlace (MFMP) system and with SunBiz prior to bid opening. The current fiscal year has an allocated budget of $100,000, with potential increases or decreases based on available funding and project needs. No minimum amount of work is guaranteed, and FWC reserves the right to adjust service levels based on bid prices, budgetary constraints, and operational requirements. Partial monthly payments will be permitted, with payment calculated based on the width of the cutting head multiplied by mileage traversed. The project specifically prohibits subcontracting and requires precise equipment specifications, including a mulcher that must be approved by the Project Manager. Prospective bidders are advised that the final acreage and specific locations for mechanical vegetation treatment will be determined based on quoted prices, funding availability, and hydrological conditions.