IFB 41615 Rice Creek Timber Sale

The Rice Creek Timber Sale, managed by the St. Johns River Water Management District in Florida, involves a logger-select thinning operation across approximately 128.6 acres within the Rice Creek Conservation Area in Putnam County. This is the first thinning for all included stands, which consist of mature natural pine and planted pine. The harvesting plan prioritizes removing diseased, defective, and suppressed trees first, followed by a selective thinning of intermediate and co-dominant trees to achieve a target basal area of 50 square feet per acre. Timber removal from planted pine stands will include every third row for access and a selective thinning of the leave rows. The estimated volume of timber to be conveyed is around 4,000 tons of pine pulpwood and 300 tons of chip-n-saw, though no guarantee is provided regarding volume presence. Bidding for this contract requires a 20% advance payment, a $5,000 security deposit, and submission of various documentation including proof of business authority and active E-Verify registration. The solicitation, posted on September 23, 2025, with a response deadline of October 2, 2025, emphasizes compliance with sustainable forestry practices, requiring logging supervisors to hold certification from an approved Sustainable Forestry Initiative program. Bidders can submit sealed bids either electronically via DemandStar or Central Bidding or physically at the District headquarters. The District retains the right to reject bids based on prior compliance or qualifications, ensuring that the selected contractor meets all specified criteria for responsible and sustainable timber harvesting.