Herbicide Treatment Services - Myakka State Forest

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is soliciting competitive bids under ITB FFS 26 27 47 for herbicide treatment services to manage invasive exotic plant species. The project covers approximately 241 acres along the southeast border of the Myakka State Forest in Sarasota County, Florida. The selected contractor must target all Category 1 non-native plants as defined by the 2023 FISC list, ensuring 100 percent coverage of the treatment area with a performance standard requiring at least 95 percent of treated plants to be dead within three months of completion. All work must be finished by June 10, 2027. The contractor is responsible for providing all labor, materials, equipment, and personal protective equipment, including the supply of herbicides, surfactants, and marking dyes. Key operational requirements include the weekly submission of GPS tracks and detailed data on herbicide mixes, volumes, and weather conditions. All equipment must be approved by the FFS Project Manager and decontaminated before moving between areas. Bidders must provide proof of licensure in natural areas weed management or the aquatic category, as well as three references from similar projects completed within the last five years. Award will be granted to the responsive and responsible vendor offering the lowest Initial Term Grand Total Price, with specific tie-breaking preferences for certified business enterprises, Florida-based commodities, and drug-free workplace programs. Bids must be submitted in sealed physical packages to the purchasing office in Tallahassee by the deadline, as electronic submissions are not permitted. Required documentation includes a list of subcontractors, a certification regarding lobbying and debarment, and a signed certification of site visitation. The contract also includes optional renewal terms for three additional years and requires worker's compensation insurance with specific liability limits.