2024/2025 Walk In Water Site Preparation Herbicide Application Lake Wales Ridge State Forest

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is seeking competitive bids for a project involving the application of ground herbicide on approximately 397 acres within the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest, located in Polk County, Florida. The contract, titled "2024/2025 Walk In Water Site Preparation Herbicide Application Lake Wales Ridge State Forest," aims to manage vegetation and maintain the health of the forest ecosystem through targeted herbicide application. The solicitation, identified as ITB-11163, was posted on December 10, 2024, with a deadline for responses set for January 13, 2025. The project is estimated to have a contract value ranging from $50,000 to $150,000. The Department emphasizes competitive bidding and invites qualified contractors to submit proposals, with Brittany Harvey serving as the primary contact person via email and phone. Supporting documentation includes site maps and measurements for related areas within Indian Lake and Ross Prairie State Forests, providing detailed visual and dimensional information about parking and trailhead sites. These maps include details on existing roads, proposed paving, forest boundaries, and specific site measurements for various parking and trailhead facilities, which may inform site-specific considerations for herbicide application or related site preparation activities. The project aligns with the Department’s ongoing efforts to manage invasive species and preserve the ecological integrity of Florida’s state forests through targeted vegetation control measures.