STEINHATCHEE SPRINGS #26 TIMBER SALE

DISTRICT ITB 25/26-011 OPS
SUWANNEE RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
INVITATION TO BID
NO. 25/26-011 OPS
STEINHATCHEE SPRINGS #26 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 #: STEINHATCHEE SPRINGS #26 TIMBER SALE
Owner: Suwannee River Water Management District
County/State: Dixie County, Florida
Section/Township/Range: Parts of Sections 10, T 8 North, R 10 East
Acreage (approximate): 84 acres
Timber Type and Age: 2005 Planted Slash Pine
Type of Harvest: This sale is an 84-acre clearcut of 2005 planted Slash Pine
on the Steinhatchee Springs Tract in Dixie County, Florida.
There is an additional 24 acres of dead timber with a few
merchantable trees left that may be harvested if desired. A
3-month contract is required due to the high risk of
mortality in the harvest area. Additional areas identified
as high risk during the contract period may be added to the
contract with both parties approval. The DISTRICT
PROJECT MANAGER will routinely make an assessment of
the timber harvest to ensure the objectives are being met.
Access and Boundaries: The timber sale area can be inspected at the bidder's
convenience and can be accessed from Highway 19 just
south of Tennille, Florida. The harvest boundaries are shown
on the map. Gate Combinations 1-0-0-1
Contract Information: Per Unit Rates pay as cut sale for pine timber
3-month contract
Advance Payment - $0
Damage Deposit - $10,000
Bid #: ITB 25/26-011 OPS
Bid Opening Date &Time: *April 22, 2026; 10:00 AM
LOCATION: 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.
Submit Bids Electronically through DemandStar.
https://www.demandstar.com/app/agencies/florida/suwannee-river-water-management-
district/procurement

DISTRICT ITB 25/26-011 OPS
Notice of Timber for Sale - Steinhatchee Springs #26
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 10:00 a.m. on April 22, 2026. 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 before bidding. Bid comparisons will be made using the total sale value as determined by
the District's estimated product volumes during the bid opening. The bidder with the highest total
sale value will be the recommended bidder. 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 Highway 19 just south of Tennille, Florida. The harvest boundaries are shown on
the map.
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. Failure to meet this requirement may result in loss of damage
deposit and contract termination. Draft contracts are available for review from the District.
SUMMARIZED TERMS OF THE TIMBER CONTRACT ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. HARVEST PLAN: This sale is an 84-acre clearcut of 2005 planted Slash Pine on the
Steinhatchee Springs Tract in Dixie County, Florida. There is an additional 24 acres of
dead timber with a few merchantable trees left that may be harvested if desired. A 3-
month contract is required due to the high risk of mortality in the harvest area.
Additional areas identified as high risk during the contract period may be added to the
contract with both parties approval. 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

DISTRICT ITB 25/26-011 OPS
Notice of Timber for Sale - Steinhatchee Springs #26
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 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 $0 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 currently exist on the road and approved by District. 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 excessively 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.

DISTRICT ITB 25/26-011 OPS
Notice of Timber for Sale - Steinhatchee Springs #26
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
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

DISTRICT ITB 25/26-011 OPS
Notice of Timber for Sale - Steinhatchee Springs #26
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
specifically, "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."
Americans with Disabilities Act: The District does not discriminate upon the basis of any
individual's disability status. This nondiscrimination policy involves every aspect of the District's
functions including one's access to, participation, employment, or treatment in its programs or
activities. Anyone requiring reasonable accommodation as provided for in the Americans with
Disabilities Act should contact the District at 386.362.1001 or 800.226.1066 (Florida only). The
District's fax number is 386.362.1056.
Minority Business Enterprises: The District recognizes fair and open competition as a basic
tenet of public procurement. Bidders doing business with the District are prohibited from
discriminating on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, handicap, age, or sex. The
District encourages participation by minority business enterprises. Whenever two or more
service providers are ranked equally, a minority business enterprise shall be given preference in
the award process.
Veteran's Preference: In the absence of a minority business enterprise, whenever two or more
service providers are ranked equally by the Selection Committee, a veteran-owned business
enterprise shall be given preference in the award process.

DISTRICT ITB 25/26-011 OPS
Notice of Timber for Sale - Steinhatchee Springs #26
If you are a Certified Minority-Owned Business pursuant to Chapter 288.703, Florida Statutes,
or a Veteran Owned Business Enterprise pursuant to Chapter 295.187, Florida Statutes please
provide a copy of your State issued certificate.
Drug Free Workplace Act: The selected bidder(s) shall certify that it has established a drug
free workplace.
Public Entity Crime: Section 287.133(2)(a), Florida Statutes, states "A person or affiliate who
has been placed on the convicted vendor list following a conviction for a public entity crime may
not submit a bid on a contract to provide any goods or services to a public entity, may not
submit a bid on a contract with a public entity for the construction or repair of a public building or
public work, may not submit bids on leases of real property to a public entity, may not be
awarded or perform work as a contractor, supplier, subcontractor, or consultant under a contract
with any public entity, and may not transact business with any public entity in excess of the
threshold amount provided in s.287.017 for CATEGORY TWO for a period of 36 months from
the date of being placed on the convicted vendor list."
Scrutinized Company: Section 287.135, Florida Statutes, states "A company is ineligible to,
and may not, bid on, submit a proposal for, or enter into or renew a contract with an agency or
local governmental entity for goods or services of:
a. Any amount if, at the time of bidding on, submitting a proposal for, or entering into or
renewing such contract, the company is on the Scrutinized Companies that Boycott
Israel List, created pursuant to s. 215.4725, or is engaged in a boycott of Israel; or
b. One million dollars or more if, at the time of bidding on, submitting a proposal for, or
entering into or renewing such contract, the company:
1. Is on the Scrutinized Companies with Activities in Sudan List or the Scrutinized
Companies with Activities in the Iran Petroleum Energy Sector List, created pursuant
to s. 215.473; or
2. Is engaged in business operations in Cuba or Syria."
Insurance Requirements: If awarded, BIDDERS shall represent and guarantee that all
employees, agents, servants, or representatives of the Bidder, and all employees, agents,
servants, or representatives of subcontractors are covered by workers' compensation insurance.
Prior to entering into contract with the District, Bidder agrees to furnish the District certificates of
insurance on all insurance, naming District as additional insured for items 2 and 3 below,
providing evidence that Bidder has in full force and effect the following minimum insurance with
insurers authorized to do business in the State of Florida:
2) Workers' compensation insurance as required above.
3) Motor vehicular liability insurance with limits of not less than $1,000,000 combined single
limit which insurance shall be applicable to any and all vehicles utilized by Bidder to
provide the services requested by District.

DISTRICT ITB 25/26-011 OPS
Notice of Timber for Sale - Steinhatchee Springs #26
4) General liability insurance for all services rendered by Bidder for the requested services
with a minimum of $1,000,000 personal and advertising injury and $1,000,000 general
aggregate.
The certificate of insurance shall also provide that District shall be notified in writing by the
carrier at least 30 days prior to any cancellation of said insurance.
Rejection of Responses: The District reserves the right to reject any and all bids or other
proposals submitted in response to the District invitation. The District also reserves the right to
waive any minor deviations in an otherwise valid bid.
Disqualification of Bidders: Any of the following causes shall be considered as sufficient
grounds for the disqualification of a Bidder and the rejection of his bid:
1. Submission of more than one bid for the same work by an individual, firm,
partnership, or corporation under the same or different names.
2. Evidence of collusion among Bidders.
3. Incomplete work for which the Bidder is committed by contract, which, in the
judgment of the District, might hinder or prevent the prompt completion of work under
this contract if awarded to Bidder.
4. Being in arrears on any of his existing contracts with the District or in litigation with
the District or having defaulted on a previous contract with the District.
5. Any other cause which, in the District's judgment and discretion, is sufficient to justify
disqualification of a Bidder or the rejection of the bid.
6. Respondents to this solicitation or persons acting on their behalf may not
contact, between the release of the solicitation and the end of the 72-business
hour period following the agency posting the notice of intended award any
employee or officer of the District concerning any aspect of this solicitation,
except in writing as indicated above. Violation of this provision may be
grounds for rejecting a response.
If items '3' or '4' above are considered to be applicable to any prospective Bidder by District prior
to the issuance of bid documents, the prospective Bidder will be notified and will not be allowed to
pick up bid documents or submit a bid for the work. If a bid is submitted, District will notify the
prospective Bidder and the bid will not be opened.
Failure to Execute Contract: Failure upon the part of the Bidders to whom the contract has
been awarded to execute and deliver the contract, and to furnish the evidence required in
"Execution of Contracts" "a - d" above, within ten (10) days after the date of award shall be just
cause, if District so elects, for the annulment of the award.
Notice and Services Thereof: All notices given by District, under the provisions of this contract,
shall be in writing, and service of same may be in either of the following manners:
1. By delivery of such notice to the Bidders or any office of the Bidders if said Bidders be a
corporation, or to any agent of the Bidders.
2. By mailing such notice by United States mail to the address of the Bidders shown on the
Bidder's bid.

DISTRICT ITB 25/26-011 OPS
Notice of Timber for Sale - Steinhatchee Springs #26
The District shall not accept as filed any electronically transmitted facsimile pleadings, petitions,
notice of protests, or other documents.
ADA Compliance: For all electronic deliverables due under the contract resulting from this
Contract Vendor must ensure that those deliverables and all supporting documents are accessible
according to 282.603 Florida Statutes and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 relating to
the creation and use of electronic documents. This requirement applies to editable formats, such
as Microsoft Word, as well as portable document formats (PDF).
Florida Sales Tax: The attention of all prospective Bidders is directed to the fact that District is
exempt from payment of State of Florida sales tax pursuant to section 212.08(6), Florida
Statute. The tangible personal property that is the subject of this contract is intended to remain
tangible personal property and not become a part of public works owned by the District.
Use by Other State of Florida Governmental Entities: Other State of Florida governmental
entities may purchase from the Agreement to be awarded pursuant to this Bid provided such
use of the Bid has been determined to be cost-effective by the entity. Eligible users of this Bid
include other water management districts, State of Florida agencies (including members of the
state university system and community college system), counties, local county Boards of Public
Instruction, municipalities, and other local public agencies or authorities. The general terms and
conditions of this Bid shall apply to the services procured by other State of Florida governmental
entities referencing this Bid.
The Bidder has the option of providing services described under this Bid to other State of
Florida governmental entities at Bidder's discretion.
Funding mechanisms/work assignments must be executed in advance of work performed for
another State of Florida governmental entity. The governmental entity shall utilize appropriate
funding mechanisms (purchase orders, etc.) to authorize performance by Bidders. All Work
performed under a funding mechanism executed by another state of Florida governmental entity
shall be the responsibility of that governmental entity for payment. The District shall not be a
party to any such funding mechanism thereby executed and shall not be responsible for
payment for any services performed for any governmental entity that utilizes Bidders pursuant to
this section of the Bid.
Contract/project managers shall be identified for each work assignment executed between the
Bidders and another governmental entity. The District's contract/project manager(s) shall not be
responsible for any work performed under any Bid between another governmental entity and the
bidders.

DISTRICT ITB 25/26-011 OPS
Notice of Timber for Sale - Steinhatchee Springs #26

DISTRICT ITB 25/26-011 OPS
Notice of Timber for Sale - Steinhatchee Springs #26
SUWANNEE RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
INVITATION TO BID
No. 25/26-011 OPS
Steinhatchee Springs #26 TIMBER SALE
April 22, 2026
10:00 a.m. EST
Bidder Information:
Name of Company: ______________________________________
Company Representative: ______________________________________
Signature: ______________________________________
Phone #: ______________________________________
E-mail: ______________________________________
Address: ______________________________________
City, State, Zip: ______________________________________
Federal Employer's Identification (FEID): ______________________________________
Date: ______________________________________
Logger: ______________________________________
Master Logger has current designation: _YES__________NO______________________
BID $/TON DBH or BUTT TOP MINIMUM
DIAMETER DIAMETER LENGTH
*Pine Pulpwood
*Pine CNS and better
*Used in Bid Comparison
Comments or Additional Information:
Minority Vendor (office use only) Yes No Classification_________________________