Wet Prairie Restoration Picayune Strand State Forest

Background
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is seeking competitive bids for herbicide application services to treat cabbage palm trees (Sabal palmetto) across an approximately 216-acre site within Picayune Strand State Forest, located near Naples, Florida. This initiative is part of the Department's efforts to restore wet prairie habitats that have been invaded by non-native species.

Work Details
The contractor will be responsible for providing all labor, materials, equipment, tools, transportation, supplies, and supervision necessary to apply herbicide treatment to cabbage palm trees under 25 feet in height across the designated 216-acre site. The project requires achieving a minimum of 95% mortality of treated cabbage palms within three to four months post-application.

The herbicide application must be performed using a mixture of 20-25% Triclopyr 4 in a Bark Oil media applied directly to the apical bud of each palm using hand-held or backpack sprayers. The contractor must ensure that no mechanical methods (e.g., mulching or chain sawing) are used due to environmental sensitivity. All herbicide applications must comply with safety regulations and cannot occur during rainy conditions or when standing water is present. The contractor is also required to retreat any areas that do not respond adequately to the initial treatment at their own expense.

Period of Performance
The project must be completed by June 30, 2026.

Place of Performance
Picayune Strand State Forest, Naples, Florida.

Bidder Requirements
The contractor must possess a valid certified commercial herbicide applicator's license in natural areas weed management and/or the aquatic category. Additionally, bidders are required to provide references from three similar projects completed in the last five years. All insurance requirements must be met prior to commencing work, including general liability and drift insurance.