Description
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, through the Florida Forest Service, is soliciting sealed bids for a six‑month salvage timber harvest on the Blackwater River State Forest in Santa Rosa County. The harvest targets pine and hardwood damaged by Hurricane Isaias (October 9 2026). No volume estimate is provided; bidders must begin work within 10 business days of contract execution and prioritize the most severely damaged areas, including 1,727 acres around red‑cockaded woodpecker habitats that must be cleared by March 15 2027. The contract is limited to one sale per successful bidder; multiple winning bids require forfeiture of all but one. Bids are opened on 10/29/2026 at 10:00 AM CDT.
• Location: Blackwater River State Forest, Santa Rosa County, FL (18,628 ac total, damaged portions identified on maps).
• Timber types: salvage pine pulpwood, pine chip‑n‑saw, pine sawtimber, hardwood pulpwood.
• Contract length: 6 months; start within 10 business days of award.
• No volume estimate – bidders must assess on‑site.
• Priority: highest‑damage areas first; 1,727 ac of woodpecker habitat must be cleared by 3/15/2027.
• Single‑sale rule: bidder may win only one of the concurrent salvage sales.
• Bid opening: 10/29/2026, 10:00 AM CDT, 11650 Munson Highway, Milton, FL.
• Contact: Eric Howell, (850) 957‑5725, [email protected].