Slash Pine and Longleaf Pine Planting Services – Goethe State Forest

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, through the Florida Forest Service, is seeking competitive bids for tree planting services on approximately 480 acres within the Goethe State Forest in Levy County, Florida. The project is divided into two sites: the Otter Creek Tract, requiring machine planting of bare-root slash pine on 454 acres, and the Daniels Island Tract, requiring hand planting of containerized longleaf pine on 26 acres. Both sites require a targeted density of 726 trees per acre, and the contractor must ensure at least 90 percent of seedlings are planted satisfactorily. While the Florida Forest Service provides the seedlings, the contractor is responsible for all labor, equipment, transportation, and supervision. Planting activities must occur between December 1, 2026, and January 31, 2027, with the overall contract period extending through February 28, 2027. Award will be granted to the responsive and responsible vendor offering the lowest grand total price. Preference is given to certified Business Enterprises and commodities produced within Florida in the event of a tie. Bidders must submit sealed physical packages by September 28, 2026, including a signed price sheet, acknowledgment form, reference list, and subcontractor details. Required certifications include drug-free workplace compliance, non-participation in boycotts of Israel, and lobbying and debarment certifications for applicable expenditure thresholds. The contractor must maintain general liability and automobile insurance, adhere to silviculture best management practices, and remove all debris from the forest land daily. Payment is contingent upon annual legislative appropriation, with a 40-calendar-day window for payment following the approval of services.