Furnish and Deliver Longleaf Pine Straw

Invitation to bid to furnish and deliver Longleaf Pine
(Pinus Palustris) Straw on an as needed basis for
Southeastern Louisiana University
State Of Louisiana
Southeastern Louisiana University
Hammond, Louisiana
Cover Page
Issuing Agency:
Southeastern Louisiana University
Purchasing Department
SLU 10800
Hammond, LA 70402-0800
Director of Purchasing: Richard Himber
Procurement Specialist: Monette Scott
Telephone: (985) 549-5324
Requisitioned By: Carlos Doolittle, Physical Plant
Telephone: (985) 549-3333
Release Date: April 16, 2026
Deadline for Fax Inquiries: April 21, 2026
Fax To: 985-549-3810
Attn: Monette Scott
Bid Opening Date: May 7, 2026
Bid Opening Time: 4:00 p.m., Central Time
Bid Opening Location:
Southeastern Louisiana University
Purchasing Department
Property Control & Supply Building
2400 North Oak Street
Hammond, Louisiana
This ITB is available in electronic form at
https://wwwcfprd.doa.louisiana.gov/OSP/LaPAC/dspBid.cfm?search=department&term=
42 It is available in PDF format or in printed form by submitting a written request to the
Procurement Specialist listed above. It is the Bidder's responsibility to check the Office
of State Purchasing LaPAC website frequently for any possible addenda that maybe
issued. Southeastern is not responsible for a bidder's failure to download any addenda
documents required to complete an Invitation to Bid.

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State Of Louisiana
Southeastern Louisiana University
Hammond, Louisiana
The Southeastern Louisiana University (SLU) Purchasing Department will receive sealed
bids until 4:00 P.M. on the bid opening date specified in the solicitation document. No bid
responses will be considered by the SLU Purchasing Department after 4:00 P.M.
Beginning at that time, bids shall be publicly opened and read aloud to those present in the
SLU Purchasing Department.
Delivery Address:
Mailing Address: Southeastern LA University
Southeastern LA University Purchasing Department
Purchasing Department Property Control & Supply Bldg.
SLU 10800 2400 North Oak St.
Hammond, LA 70402 Hammond, LA 70402
Bids submitted are subject to LA R.S. 39:1551-1736; Purchasing Rules and Regulations;
Executive Orders; General Conditions; any Special Conditions; and Specifications listed in
the solicitation document.
The purpose of this solicitation is to set forth the requirements and specifications of
Southeastern Louisiana University. The contents of this solicitation and the Bidder/
Vendor/ Contractor's bid response shall become contractual obligations if a contract
(purchase order) ensues.
Instructions to Bidders
1) Bid Forms: Per LA R.S. 39:1556, all written bids, unless otherwise provided for,
must be submitted on, and in accordance with, forms provided, properly signed in
ink or electronic signature by an authorized representative of the bidding entity.
Bids submitted in the following manner will not be accepted: (1) Bid contains no
signature indicating intent to be bound; (2) Bid filled out in pencil; (3) Bid sent by
facsimile equipment or email. Price alterations to bid responses received before bid
opening time will be considered provided the written price alteration has been
received and timestamped before bid opening time. Any other alterations of the bid
response form or foreign conditions attached thereto may cause rejection of the bid
response without further consideration.
2) Standard of Quality: Any product or service bid shall conform to all applicable
Federal and State laws and regulations and specifications contained in the
solicitation document. Unless otherwise specified in the solicitation document, any
manufacturer's name, trade name, brand name, or catalog number used in the
specifications is for the purpose of describing the quality level and characteristic
required. Bidder should specify the brand and model number of the product

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offered in his bid. Bids not specifying brand and model number shall be
considered as offering the exact products specified in the solicitation document.
3) Descriptive Information: Bidders proposing an equivalent brand or model should
submit with the bid response information (such as illustrations, descriptive
literature, and technical data) sufficient for the University to evaluate quality,
suitability, and compliance with the specifications of the solicitation document.
Failure to submit descriptive information may cause bid to be rejected. Any
change made to a manufacturer's published specification submitted for a product
shall be verifiable by the manufacturer. If item(s) bid does not comply with
specifications (including brand and/or product number), bidder should state in what
respect the item(s) deviate. Failure to note exceptions on the response form will
not relieve the successful bidder(s) from supplying the actual products requested.
4) Bid Opening: Bidders may attend the bid opening, but no information or opinions
concerning the ultimate contract award will be given at the bid opening or during
the evaluation process. Bids may be examined 72 hours after request is made.
Information pertaining to completed files may be secured by visiting the SLU
Purchasing Department during normal working hours. Written bid tabulations will
not be furnished.
5) Louisiana Preference: Preference is hereby given to products produced,
manufactured, harvested, grown or assembled in Louisiana which are equal in
quality to products produced, manufactured, harvested, grown or assembled
outside of Louisiana. The bidder shall state his right to claim the ten percent (10%)
preference in his bid response and the bidder should state the respective Louisiana
location where each qualifying item is produced, manufactured, harvested, grown
or assembled.
6) Notice of Special Programs Available
for Small Business: https://www.opportunitylouisiana.com/small-business/special-
programs-for-small-business
7) Signature Authority: In accordance with LA Revised Statute 39:1594 (Act 121), the
person signing the bid must be: (1) A current corporate officer, partnership member
or other individual specifically authorized to submit a bid as reflected in the
appropriate records on file with the Secretary of State; or (2) An individual
authorized to bind the vendor as reflected by an accompanying or as provided
upon request a corporate resolution or affidavit. By signing the bid, the bidder
certifies compliance with the above.

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General Conditions
The SLU Purchasing Department reserves the right to award items separately, grouped or
on an all-or-none basis and to reject any or all bids and waive any informalities.
1) Prices: Unless otherwise specified in the solicitation, bid prices shall be complete,
including transportation and handling prepaid by the bidder to destination - SLU,
Hammond, LA. Bids other than FOB destination may be rejected. Bid prices
should be quoted in the unit of measure stated. Bid prices shall be firm for a
minimum of thirty (30) calendar days, unless otherwise specified by SLU in the
solicitation document.
2) Payment Terms: Cash discounts for less than 30 days may be offered, but will not
be considered in determining awards. Bids containing "payment in advance" or
"COD" requirements may be rejected. Payment is to be made within 30 days after
receipt of properly executed invoice or delivery, whichever is later.
3) Delivery: Bids may be rejected if the delivery time indicated is longer than that
specified in the solicitation document.
4) Taxes: Bidder is responsible for including all applicable taxes in the bid price. The
University is currently exempt from Louisiana State Sales and Use Taxes, and local
parish and city taxes. An exemption certificate for state sales and use tax can be
provided upon request.
5) New Products: Unless specifically called for in the solicitation document, all
products for purchase must be new, never previously used, and the current model
and/or packaging. No remanufactured, demonstrator, used or irregular product will
be considered for purchase unless otherwise specified in the solicitation document.
The manufacturer's standard warranty will apply unless otherwise stated in
solicitation.
6) Default of Contractor: Failure to deliver within the time specified in the solicitation
document will constitute a default and may cause cancellation of the contract.
Where the University has determined the contractor to be in default, the state
reserves the right to purchase any or all products or services covered by the
contract on the open market and to charge the contractor with cost in excess of the
contract price. Until such assessed charges have been paid, no subsequent bid
from the defaulting contractor will be considered.
7) Contract Cancellation: The University shall have the right to cancel any contract, in
accordance with Purchasing Rules and Regulations, for cause, including but not
limited to, the following: (1) failure of the vendor to deliver within the time specified
in the contract; (2) failure of the product or service to meet specifications, conform
to sample quality, or to be delivered in good condition; (3) misrepresentation by the
contractor; (4) fraud, collusion, conspiracy or other unlawful means of obtaining any
contract with the state; (5) conflict of contract provisions with constitutional or
statutory provisions of state or federal law; (6) any other breach of contract.

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8) Applicable Law: All contracts shall be construed in accordance with and governed
by the laws of the State of Louisiana.
9) Equal Opportunity: By submitting and signing this bid, bidder agrees that he will not
discriminate in the rendering of services to and/or employment of individuals
because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, handicap, disability,
veteran status, or any other non-merit factor.
10) By submitting a response to this solicitation, the bidder or proposer certifies and
agrees that the following information is correct: In preparing its response, the bidder
or proposer has considered all proposals submitted from qualified, potential
subcontractors and suppliers, and has not, in the solicitation, selection, or
commercial treatment of any subcontractor or supplier, refused to transact or
terminated business activities, or taken other actions intended to limit commercial
relations, with a person or entity that is engaging in commercial transactions
in Israel or Israeli-controlled territories, with the specific intent to accomplish a
boycott or divestment of Israel. The bidder also has not retaliated against any
person or other entity for reporting such refusal, termination, or commercially
limiting actions. The state reserves the right to reject the response of the bidder or
proposer if this certification is subsequently determined to be false, and to terminate
any contract awarded based on such a false response.
11) Louisiana Revised Statute 39:1753.1 requirements shall apply to any equipment
component which enables any form of connectivity.
12) Piggyback: Other Louisiana Governmental Agencies may purchase at the same
terms and conditions if agreed upon by awarded vendor.
13) Prohibition of Companies That Discriminate Against Firearm and Ammunition
Industries: In accordance with La.R.S. 39:1602.2, the following applies to any
competitive sealed bids, competitive sealed proposals, or contract(s) with a value of
$100,000 or more involving a for-profit company with at least fifty full-time
employees: Unless otherwise exempted by law, by submitting a response to this
solicitation or entering into this contract, the Bidder, Proposer or Contractor certifies
the following:
a. The company does not have a practice, policy, guidance or directive that
discriminates against a firearm entity or firearm trade association based
solely on the entity's or association's status as a firearm entity or firearm
trade association;
b. The company will not discriminate against a firearm entity or firearm trade
association during the term of the contract based solely on the entity's or
association's status as a firearm entity or firearm trade association.
The State reserves the right to reject the response of the Bidder, Proposer or
Contractor if this certification is subsequently determined to be false, and to
terminate any contract awarded based on such a false response or if the
certification is no longer true.

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Bid Response Form
Bidder's Name:
Mailing Address: Telephone Number:
City, State, Zip Code: Fax Number:
Email Address:
Scope: To Furnish and Deliver Longleaf Pine (Pinus Palustris) straw per load on an
as needed basis, up to Ten Loads per year for Southeastern Louisiana University.
Contract Term: July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027
I/we do hereby acknowledge receipt of the following addenda (if any):
Addendum number and date:
Addendum number and date:
Other Requirements:
Bidder shall include the cost of transportation and handling in the unit price of item
offered -- F.O.B. University, Hammond, LA.
If bidding other than the specified make and model, then the bidder should attach
illustrations and descriptive literature of the item(s) offered to the bid response form
for evaluation purposes.
The attached Instructions to Bidders/General Conditions shall be a part hereof.
To the Vendor:
Whenever brand name specifications or catalogue numbers are used to describe
the standard of quality, performance and other characteristics, the use of such
specifications shall not restrict unless otherwise specified, the submission of
equivalent products.
This solicitation is a sealed bid and must be returned by mail or delivered in person.
Bid response forms cannot be faxed and any fax responses shall be rejected.
Terms: Net 30 Prox., F.O.B., Hammond, Louisiana.
Taxes: Any taxes, other than state sales and use tax, shall be included within the bidder's
unit price. The University is currently exempt from state sales and use tax.
Signature to the Bid Response Form shall be construed of acceptance of the Invitation to
Bid in its entirety.

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Authorized Officer Signature:
Printed Name:
Title:
Date:
Bid Response Page
Item Description Qty Price Total
No.
1. 53' Semi-trailer Load (Filled) on 1 Load
as needed basis, up to TEN
loads per year.
Pine Straw - must originate
exclusively from Longleaf Pine
(Pinus Palustris).
Specifications:
Straw shall be fresh, dry, and
clean (containing less that 1% by
volume of sticks, cones, grass and
other debris). Bales shall entirely
fill a 53' dry van enclosed semi-
trailer. The bales shall be
approximately 2.5 cubic feet each,
tightly baled, (Approximately 1400
bales per load). If a responding
vendor offers rectangular
("square") bales of a different size
filling a 53" trailer to a similar total
volume and meeting all other
product specifications, the bid may
be compared as relatively
equivalent. The entire semi-trailer
will remain on site until the next
delivery. (Approximately 3-4
months).
Total Bid Amount

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The goods or services included on this page are optional goods or services that
may be needed but will not be included in the award of the bid.
Item Description Price Per Bale Total
No. Delivered and
Installed.
2. Provide and install rectangular
("square") bales of Longleaf Pine
straw as mulch in landscape beds.
Straw must originate exclusively
from Longleaf Pine (Pinus
palustris.) Straw is to be installed
neatly. Straw is to be tucked under
shrubs so that bare soil is not
visible, and it is to be "cut in" at
curbs and sidewalks for a tidy front
aspect. Straw is to be installed
thick enough to provide a two-inch
layer of mulch when settled. (The
quoted price is for delivery and
installation, but is not to include
removal of straw mulch from the
previous season.)
Specify average square footage
covered per bale at
2-in depth: square feet
Specify minimum size of project
allowed: bales
Item Description Price Per Roll Total
No. Delivered and
Installed.
Provide and install rolls ("round
bales") of Longleaf Pine straw as
mulch in landscape beds. Straw
must originate exclusively from
Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris.)
Straw is to be installed neatly.
Straw is to be tucked under shrubs
so that bare soil is not visible, and it

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is to be "cut in" at curbs and
sidewalks for a tidy front aspect.
Straw is to be installed thick enough
to provide a two-inch layer of mulch
when settled. (The quoted price is
for delivery and installation, but is
not to include removal of straw
mulch from the previous season.)
Specify average square footage
covered per roll at
2-in depth: square feet
Specify minimum size of project
allowed: rolls
Shipping: All unit bid prices shall be quoted F.O.B. Destination, Freight Prepaid and Allowed.
Failure to do so shall cause rejection of the bid without further consideration.
Delivery: Delivery must be provided within two weeks following order. The entire semi-trailer
will remain on site until the next delivery. (Approximately 3-4 months). The empty trailer is to
be removed upon delivery of the next load. Date and time of delivery shall be pre-arranged
with Southeastern Physical Plant Department at least 24 hours in advance of delivery. Delivery
will be accepted during normal business hours (7:00 am to 4:00 pm) (Monday-Thursday). Since
the University closes at noon on Fridays (and is closed all day on Fridays during the summer), no
deliveries will be accepted on Fridays unless requested by Southeastern.
Contact Carlos Doolittle, Landscape Manager at 985-549-3333 to arrange delivery.
Term Contract Extension: If mutually agreed between Southeastern Louisiana University and
the successful bidder, the University reserves the right to extend the contract for four (4)
additional 12 month periods at the same price, terms, and conditions.
Bidder -- Initial to indicate acceptance of 2 week Delivery Terms.:
Bidder - Initial to indicate acceptance of semi-trailer remaining on site until next deliver.:
Name of Company:
Date:
Bidder's Initials:

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Vendor must include all expenses (this includes shipping and discounts) in the
unit price.
See following pages for insurance requirements