Project Information

Bid Title

NATURAL WELL BRANCH #5 TIMBER SALE

Issuing Agency

Suwannee River Water Management District

Location

Florida

Published Date

Nov 10, 2025

Closing Date

Nov 21, 2025

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Ref. #

25/26-003 OPS

Original Source

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Project Description

Bid Number:	25/26-003 OPS
Bid Title:	NATURAL WELL BRANCH #5 TIMBER SALE
Category:	Bids, Proposals and Qualifications
Status:	Open

Description: 160 acres – 1998 planted slash pine 85 acres – 2002 planted slash pine Type of Harvest: This sale is an unmarked third row select thinning of 1998-2002 planted slash pine on approximately 24 acres. The purchaser will leave 50 square feet of Basal Area per acre of the largest, best formed trees in the residual stand. The logging slash will be scattered back through the stand. Long skid distances may be necessary due to the area’s natural hydrologic conditions. Publication Date/Time: 11/10/2025 3:00 PM Closing Date/Time: 11/21/2025 2:00 PM Submittal Information: SUBMIT ELECTRONICALLY THROUGH DEMANDSTAR Bid Opening Information: ELECTRONIC BID OPENING Contact Person: Sharon Hingson Business Hours: MONDAY - FRIDAY 8:00AM-5:00PM Related Documents: 25/26-003 OPS Natural Well Branch 5 Timber Sale

Attachment Preview

DISTRICT ITB 25/26-003 OPS

INVITATION TO BID 25/26-003 OPS

NATURAL WELL BRANCH #5 TIMBER SALE

Suwannee River Water Management District (District or Owner) invites you to participate in the

bidding process for timber on the property as described below:

Tract Name & Sale #:

Owner:

County/State:

Section/Township/Range:

Acreage (approximate):

Timber Type and Age:

Type of Harvest:

Access and Boundaries:

NATURAL WELL BRANCH #5 TIMBER SALE

Suwannee River Water Management District

Taylor County, Florida

Parts of Sections 2,10,11,15,16,& 21, T 3 South, R 6 East

245 acres

160 acres – 1998 planted slash pine

85 acres – 2002 planted slash pine

This sale is an unmarked third row select thinning of 1998-

2002 planted slash pine on approximately 24 acres. The

purchaser will leave 50 square feet of Basal Area per acre

of the largest, best formed trees in the residual stand. The

logging slash will be scattered back through the stand.

Long skid distances may be necessary due to the area’s

natural hydrologic conditions. The DISTRICT PROJECT

MANAGER will routinely make an assessment of the timber

harvest to ensure the objectives are being met.

The timber sale area can be inspected at the bidder's

convenience and can be accessed from U.S. Highway 19

Taylor County, Florida. The harvest boundaries utilize roads

and natural stand breaks and are shown on the map.

Gate Combination is 1-0-0-1.

Contract Information:

PURCHASER will be responsible for roads and road

maintenance during the harvest. This may require

grading and filling holes with clean fill or limerock as

approved by the District. The access roads are

frequently saturated and in poor condition. Bidders must

submit a price per ton for delivered and spread mined

limerock base and chunk products needed to access

timber and maintain roads for harvesting purposes. The

Purchaser will be responsible for delivering and

spreading the limerock products as pre-approved by the

District Project Manager. THE COST WILL BE

DEDUCTED FROM THE WEEKLY TIMBER SETTLEMENT

PAYMENTS. The District estimates 400 tons of limerock

chunk (3”-8” diameter) and 100 tons of limerock base

may be needed to complete the harvest. The District will

not approve payment of more than 750 tons of limerock

products. Any additional road material needs will be the

responsibility of the PURCHASER at the PURCHASER’S

expense.

Per Unit Rates pay as cut sale for pine timber

Per Unit cost as spread for limerock based fill road fill material

Contract Length – 12 months

Advance Payment - $30,000

Damage Deposit - $10,000

DISTRICT ITB 25/26-003 OPS

Notice of Timber for Sale – Natural Well Branch #5

Bid #:

Bid Opening Date &Time:

LOCATION:

ITB 25/26-003 OPS

*November 21, 2025; 2:00 PM

9225 CR 49

Live Oak, Florida 32060

*Denotes a public meeting. All times denote Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

Only bids made on the enclosed Timber Sale Bid Form will be accepted. The Form must be filled

out completely to be considered.

DELIVERY OF BID:

Submit Bids Electronically through DemandStar.

https://www.demandstar.com/app/agencies/florida/suwannee-river-water-management-

district/procurement

For articles and videos to assist you through the DemandStar registry and uploading of

documents visit the DemandStar business support page at -

https://network.demandstar.com/business-support/

If you are unfamiliar with DemandStar, please submit your bid far enough in advance to

work through any complications you may have with the system.

Bids are to be uploaded to the platform prior to 2:00 p.m. on November 21, 2025. Bids

received after this time, for any reason, will be rejected.

WINNING BIDDER: The District will not advertise estimated harvest volumes prior to the bid

opening. All bidders should satisfy themselves as to the quantity and quality of timber offered in

this sale and roadwork necessary for access before bidding. Bid comparisons will be made using

the total sale value as determined by the District’s estimated timber product volumes and estimated

road material volumes during the bid opening. The bidder with the highest total sale value after

subtracting the estimated road material costs from the timber revenue will be the recommended

bidder. The bidders will be notified of the bid calculations by, November 24, 2025. At that time, a

recommendation will be prepared for the Executive Director requesting authorization to enter into a

contract. The winning bidder will be expected to enter into a firm contract within 10 days of award

of bid.

RIGHT OF REFUSAL: The right to refuse any and all bids is reserved.

PRE-BID ACCESS: The timber sale area can be inspected at the bidder's convenience and can

be accessed from U.S. Highway 19 Taylor County, Florida. The harvest boundaries utilize natural

stand breaks and are shown on the map. Gate Combination is 1-0-0-1.

BUYER RESPONSIBILITIES: The Buyer will pay for any documentary stamps or surtax required

for the sale.

TIMBER CONTRACT: Prospective bidders are advised that the District will provide the contract

for the purchase of this timber. The term of this Timber Contract shall be 12 months from

contract execution. Draft contracts are available for review from the District.

SUMMARIZED TERMS OF THE TIMBER CONTRACT ARE AS FOLLOWS:

DISTRICT ITB 25/26-003 OPS

Notice of Timber for Sale – Natural Well Branch #5

1. HARVEST PLAN: This sale is an unmarked third row select thinning of 1998-2002 planted

slash pine on approximately 245 acres. The purchaser will leave 50 square feet of Basal

Area per acre of the largest, best formed trees in the residual stand. The logging slash

will be scattered back through the stand. Long skid distances may be necessary due to

the area’s natural hydrologic conditions. The DISTRICT PROJECT MANAGER will

routinely make an assessment of the timber harvest to ensure the objectives are being

met.

2. SPECIES OF TIMBER SOLD: Slash Pine.

3. PRE-HARVEST MEETING: Prior to the harvest operation, a pre-harvest meeting with

the successful bidder and his logger will be held. This is a mandatory meeting, and

logging will not commence until this meeting takes place. This meeting will cover the

Harvest Plan, “Come clean, Leave clean practices, BMP’s, logging decks, product

utilization, ecological concerns, aesthetics, timber security, and other pertinent issues.

4. TIMBER SALE OVERSIGHT: PURCHASER shall report the commencement, and any

interruption, recommencement, or completion of harvest operations by telephone or e-mail

to the DISTRICT PROJECT MANAGER at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to such. The

DISTRICT PROJECT MANAGER will routinely make an assessment of the timber

harvest to ensure the objectives are being met. The District reserves the right to stop

harvesting if the logging crew does not comply with harvest plans as interpreted by the

DISTRICT PROJECT MANAGER. Failure to follow the Harvest Plan may result in the

removal of the logging crew by the District.

5. PRODUCT UTILIZATION: PURCHASER shall harvest and fully use, to the extent

practicable, all trees conveyed in this offering. All timber shall be measured in tons (one

ton equals 2,000 pounds).

6. TITLE TO TIMBER: Title to the timber shall pass from OWNER to PURCHASER when

the tree has been severed from the stump.

7. PAYMENTS: Advance Payment of $30,000 from PURCHASER is required under this

Contract at closing. Weekly settlements will be calculated in this manner: Credits will be

made against the Advance Payment at 100% of the weekly gross harvest. When the

Advance Payment is fully utilized, PURCHASER shall make payments to OWNER.

8. DAMAGE/SECURITY DEPOSIT: PURCHASER shall deposit $10,000 with OWNER,

which amount shall be held by OWNER in escrow without interest, as a damage and

security deposit to assure fulfillment by PURCHASER of PURCHASER'S obligations.

9. ROAD RESPONSIBILITIES: PURCHASER will be responsible for roads and road

maintenance during the harvest. This may require grading and filling holes with

clean fill or limerock as approved by the District. The access roads are frequently

saturated and in poor condition. Bidders must submit a price per ton for delivered

and spread mined limerock base and chunk products needed to access timber and

maintain roads for harvesting purposes. The Purchaser will be responsible for

delivering and spreading the limerock products as pre-approved by the District

Project Manager. THE COST WILL BE DEDUCTED FROM THE WEEKLY TIMBER

SETTLEMENT PAYMENTS. The District estimates 400 tons of limerock chunk (3”-8”

diameter) and 100 tons of limerock base may be needed to complete the harvest.

The District will not approve payment of more than 750 tons of limerock products.

DISTRICT ITB 25/26-003 OPS

Notice of Timber for Sale – Natural Well Branch #5

Any additional road material needs will be the responsibility of the PURCHASER at

the PURCHASER’S expense. Haul routes and road conditions can be inspected at the

bidder's convenience. The sale area can be accessed directly as shown on the attached

map. PURCHASER will return the roads to their pre-harvest condition or better upon

completion of harvest at PURCHASER’S expense.

10. MASTER LOGGER: The logger harvesting the timber must be a Master Logger with

current designation. The Master Logger must be routinely available on-site during

operations.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, LISTED SPECIES, AND OTHER ITEMS:

a) PURCHASER hereby agrees to use good forestry practices and further agrees to abide by

the Best Management Practices (BMP's) as outlined in the Florida Forest Service

publication, Silviculture Best Management Practices, as well as other requirements of the

State of Florida. PURCHASER shall have up to thirty (30) days after the expiration of this

Contract, but no more than forty-five (45) days, after the completion of all logging (whichever

date is earlier) to bring the tract into full compliance with all the terms of this Contract,

including the completion of necessary BMP work. OWNER may, at its discretion, extend this

period of time due to excessive wet-weather conditions. Damages arising out of the failure

to exercise BMP's shall be limited to the expenses incurred by any party which carries out

remedial measures reasonably required to bring the site in question into compliance with the

applicable BMP's as set out above.

b) Come Clean, Leave Clean: Non-native, invasive plant infestations are found throughout the

United States. PURCHASER may unknowingly import noxious plant material from outside

areas or take plant material off the OWNER’s property and infest other locales. All road

materials and equipment used on the OWNER’s property, including road maintenance

equipment, timber harvest equipment, site preparation equipment, ATVs, or trucks, must be

free of invasive plant material before entering District lands. OWNER’s PROJECT

MANAGERs are required to inspect each piece of equipment before or during operations on

the OWNER’s property. If PURCHASER is to perform work within 30 yards of a non-native,

invasive-plant infestation, the OWNER’s representative is required to inspect the equipment

before it leaves the OWNER’s property. The District will designate cleaning areas on each

tract for PURCHASER to clean their equipment, if necessary; the OWNER is responsible for

monitoring the cleaning areas for new infestations.

c) Ecological Issues: OWNER has no knowledge of the presence of threatened, endangered

and protected species on the area on which the Timber is located or over which

PURCHASER must transport the Timber, or OWNER has indicated to PURCHASER the

presence and location of said species to the best of OWNER’s knowledge as shown on the

“Project Map”. OWNER does not warrant that such threatened, endangered, or protected

species are not present, and PURCHASER is advised that nothing in this Contract relieves

PURCHASER of its responsibility to act within the law should the presence of such

threatened, endangered, or protected species become known to PURCHASER or to any

other party who advises PURCHASER of the presence of such species. (“…to the

knowledge of OWNER…” shall only include to the knowledge of Steve Carpenter or a

specified DISTRICT PROJECT MANAGER). PURCHASER AND PURCHASER’s LOGGER

shall use caution and shall avoid running over gopher tortoises or gopher tortoise burrows

DISTRICT ITB 25/26-003 OPS

Notice of Timber for Sale – Natural Well Branch #5

encountered on the tract or as shown on the map. OWNER may flag out areas with rare

species and remove the area(s) from the sale area if these species are found during harvest

operations.

d) Equipment Fluids: PURCHASER must follow all local, state and federal regulations as they

relate to fluids, chemicals, oils, lubrications, their containers, and other equipment wastes;

wash and service equipment away from any area that may create a water quality hazard

following Florida Silviculture BMPs; clean up and contain fuel and oil spills immediately;

comply with state and federal regulations when reporting spills (discharges); and report any

fuel, oil, chemical or hazardous waste discharge to the DISTRICT PROJECT MANAGER

immediately. Discharges must be reported by the PURCHASER in less than 24 hours to the

Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) State Warning Point (800-320-0519).

If the discharge threatens or enters waters of the State, the PURCHASER must notify the

National Response Center (800-424-8802) within 1 hour of the discharge. Within 7 days the

PURCHASER must submit the required Discharge Report Form to DEP Bureau of

Emergency Response. Under Florida Law and Federal Law PURCHASER may be subject

to penalties because of the discharge itself and if the PURCHASER fails to report the

discharge. PURCHASER will be responsible for all requirements and costs associated with

the cleanup of discharged pollutants or other hazardous chemicals.

e) Recreation Concerns: PURCHASER hereby acknowledges and understands that public

recreation may occur during the harvest, and public safety will take precedence over all

harvest operations. PURCHASER will maintain and secure equipment when not operating.

During operations, PURCHASER will maintain a safe distance from the general public at all

times. Harvest equipment, vehicles, and personnel will not damage or unnecessary block

access to roads, trails, or District facilities. Lands titled to the District are managed under a

multiple-use policy that emphasizes water resource protection, maintenance, and restoration

of the land’s natural state and condition, and provisions for public access and recreation

within those lands. District lands will remain open to the general public during operations

unless otherwise indicated by the District in writing.

KEY POINTS

Challenge of Solicitation Process: If a potential Bidder protests any provisions of this ITB, a

notice of intent to protest shall be filed with the District in writing within 72 hours after the posting

of the invitation to bid on the District’s website. “Failure to file a protest within the time

prescribed in Section 120.57(3) Florida Statutes shall constitute a waiver of proceedings

under Chapter 120 of Florida Statutes.”

Challenge of District’s Intent to Award Contract: If a Bidder intends to protest District’s intent to

award a contract, the notice of intent to protest must be filed in writing within 72 hours after

posting of a notice of intent to award a contract and the Bidder shall file a formal written protest

within ten (10) days after filing a notice of intent to protest. Any Bidder who files a formal written

protest pursuant to Chapter 28-110, Florida Administrative Code, and Section 120.57(3), Florida

Statutes shall post with the District at the time of filing the formal written protest, a bond

pursuant to Section 287.042(2) (c), Florida Statutes (2013).

Failure to file a notice of intent to protest or failure to file a formal written protest within the time

prescribed in Chapter 28-110, Florida Administrative Code and Section 120.57(3), Florida

Statutes, or failure to post the bond or other security required by law within the time allowed for

filing a bond shall constitute a waiver of proceedings under Chapter 120, Florida Statutes. More

Commodity Codes

• NAICS 113310Logging

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