University of Florida Austin Cary Forest Timber Sale

The University of Florida is soliciting sealed, per-unit bids for the sale and harvesting of approximately 100 acres of merchantable pine and mixed pine timber at the Austin Cary Forest in Alachua County, Florida. The sale includes clearcutting two planted slash pine stands—one of 35 acres planted in 1973 and another of 18 acres planted in 1987—and a selective harvest of 47 acres of natural mixed pine, marked with blue paint. Bidders are required to submit firm, separate prices per ton for pine pulpwood/mulchwood/chips, dimensional pine, and blended hardwood, with the contract awarded on an all-or-none basis to the highest responsible offer based on the best per-ton offer. The harvest must be completed within one year of contract award, with payments due biweekly based on actual tons harvested, and a $5,000 security deposit is required prior to commencement. The contract incorporates federal and state regulations, including Florida statutes on drug-free workplaces, workers' compensation, employment of unauthorized aliens, and environmental BMPs, along with University policies on non-discrimination, tobacco-free campuses, and insurance requirements. The successful bidder must provide proof of Master Logger certification, maintain liability insurance, and comply with environmental and safety standards throughout the operation. Inspection of the sale area is conducted by the University before and after harvest, with the purchaser responsible for site conditions, damage prevention, and proper disposal of debris. Offer submissions are to be made on the designated form, either in hard copy or via email, by September 25, 2025, at 4:00 PM, with no verbal offers accepted. The University reserves the right to reject any or all offers and to terminate the agreement if conditions are not met, ensuring compliance with all applicable laws, BMPs, and contractual obligations.