C-10 PALM HARVEST

The St. Johns River Water Management District is soliciting bids for the harvesting of cabbage palms within a designated 1,528-acre area in the C-10 Project Area of the Three Forks Conservation Area in Florida. Respondents must have at least three years of documented experience in similar palm harvesting projects and have successfully completed at least three comparable projects, all verified through a Similar Projects Form. The contract will be awarded to the highest responsive and responsible bidder based solely on the purchase price offered per palm harvested, with a minimum bid threshold of $10.00 per palm. The initial contract term is two years, running through June 30, 2028, with the possibility of three optional 12-month renewals contingent upon mutual written agreement. All harvested palms, sized between three and forty feet, must be removed from District property using the contractor’s equipment, and no harvesting is permitted in restricted areas marked on Exhibit 1. The District makes no guarantees regarding the quantity, quality, or size of available palms and disclaims all warranties related to harvest conditions. Contractors are responsible for all permits, licenses, insurance, and safety measures, including maintaining commercial general liability insurance on an occurrence basis with an insurer rated A- or higher by A.M. Best and disclosing any deductibles exceeding $100,000. Payment is made monthly based on the gross weight of palms harvested before any dockage or cull deductions, supported by weekly settlement summaries including individual load tickets and a Palm Sale Accountability Form. Contractors must maintain detailed records for five years and grant the District full access for audit purposes, with any disallowed costs subject to refund. All contractors must be registered with the Florida Secretary of State via Sunbiz.org, enrolled in E-Verify, and provide a Human Trafficking Attestation and a signed affidavit affirming compliance with all terms under penalties of perjury. Submission of proposals requires adherence to specific electronic file naming conventions and media formats, with no password protection allowed on submitted drives. Electronic signatures are binding, and the contract is governed by Florida state law, including sovereign immunity limits under §768.28, Fla. Stat., and non-discrimination requirements under chapter 760, Fla. Stat. Contracts may not be assigned or subcontracted without the District’s prior written consent, and all performance is subject to continuous inspection and approval by the District’s Project Manager.