42257QR26 MANUAL CUTTING/HAND CLEANING AND HERBICIDE TREATMENT AT LAKE MONROE CONSERVATION AREA

The St. Johns River Water Management District is soliciting qualified contractors to perform manual cutting and herbicide treatment of approximately 40 acres of scrub vegetation at the Lake Monroe Conservation Area in Osteen, Florida, with all work required to be completed by September 15, 2026. The scope includes cutting trees and shrubs to ground or water level, removing debris from fire breaks, trails, and ditches, and applying low-volume cut-stump herbicide treatments to non-native and resprouting species such as Brazilian pepper, lantana, oak, sweetgum, and wax myrtles. Contractors must provide a field supervisor holding a valid Florida Pesticide Applicators License for Natural Areas and supply all necessary equipment, fuel, safety gear, spill response kits, and personnel subsistence. Work must strictly adhere to F.I.F.R.A., OSHA General Industry Standards, CFR 1920, Chapter 487 of the Florida Statutes, and all herbicide label restrictions, using FDACS-recommended recordkeeping forms and following the guidance of the Lake Monroe Conservation Area Scrub Restoration Map. The estimated budget is $40,000, and award will be made to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, with responsibility evaluated based on verifiable history of skill, ability, integrity, and reliability. All bids must be submitted by June 11, 2026, at 2:00 PM via sealed mail or hand delivery to the District’s headquarters in Palatka; email submissions are strictly prohibited. Respondents must complete and submit multiple required forms, including a General Qualifications Questionnaire, Certificate of Authority to do Business in Florida, Affidavit of Non-collusion, Drug-Free Workplace Form, and Submittal Acknowledgement, along with proof of active Sunbiz registration, E-Verify enrollment, and applicable state licenses. The Agreement is governed by Florida law, with venue in Putnam County, and requires strict compliance with Florida Public Records Law and trade secret confidentiality provisions. Contractors must carry workers’ compensation insurance meeting minimum state limits of $100,000 per accident, $100,000 per person, and $500,000 aggregate, and are subject to indemnification obligations to the District. Invoicing is monthly via electronic ACH payment, with detailed submissions required, including agreement number, contractor information, invoice date, DPM and project manager names, activity summaries, and supporting