NORTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
Invitation to Bid (“ITB”) No. 27B-001
2027 HAND PLANTING SERVICES FOR REFORESTATION AND
GROUNDCOVER RESTORATION
The Northwest Florida Water Management District (District), 81 Water Management Drive,
Havana, Florida 32333, is soliciting bids for HAND PLANTING SERVICES FOR
REFORESTATION AND GROUNDCOVER RESTORATION for the planting of
approximately 120,395 container-grown longleaf pine tubelings and 300,000 wiregrass plugs
on approximately 481 acres in Escambia, Jackson and Washington counties. The Work is
expected to begin on or around January 5, 2027.
The deadline for submission of bids and the opening of the sealed bids is 2:00 P.M. Eastern
Time (ET) September 24, 2026. The bid opening is open to the public. Provisions will be made
to accommodate those with a disability provided the District is given at least 72 hours advance
notice. All bids must conform to the instructions in the Invitation to Bid (ITB) and comply with
applicable Florida Statutes. Interested parties may obtain a copy of the complete ITB package
from the District’s website at: (http://www.nwfwater.com), from the DemandStar website at:
(https://www.demandstar.com/app/login), or from the State of Florida’s Vendor Information
Portal website at: (https://vendor.myfloridamarketplace.com/).
NWFWMD Bid No. 27B-001: 2027 Hand Planting Services for Reforestation and Groundcover Restoration
Page 1 of 29
Table of Contents
PART 1. GENERAL INFORMATION ............................................................................ 4
1.1
DEFINITIONS ..........................................................................................................4
1.2
PURPOSE .................................................................................................................4
1.3
ISSUING OFFICE, DATE AND LOCATION OF OPENING................................4
1.4
INVITATION TO BID .............................................................................................4
1.5
AWARDING OF BID...............................................................................................4
1.6
DEVELOPMENT COSTS........................................................................................5
1.7
CONFLICT OF INTEREST .....................................................................................5
1.8
DISTRICT FORMS AND RULES ...........................................................................5
1.9
MANDATORY PRE-BID CONFERENCE AND/OR ORAL PRESENTATIONS 5
1.10
INQUIRIES AND ADDENDA ................................................................................5
1.11
TIMETABLE ............................................................................................................5
1.12
DELAYS ...................................................................................................................6
1.13
SUBMISSION AND WITHDRAWAL ....................................................................6
1.14
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY.........................................................................................7
1.15
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT ............................................................7
1.16
SOCIAL, POLITICAL, AND IDEOLOGICAL INTERESTS.................................7
1.17
PUBLIC CRIMES/DISCRIMINATORY/ANTITRUST VIOLATOR VENDORS 7
1.18
SCRUTINIZED COMPANIES, BOYCOTTING.....................................................8
1.19
INSPECTOR GENERAL COOPERATION ............................................................8
1.20
COMPLIANCE WITH HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATIONS......................8
1.21
INSURANCE ............................................................................................................8
1.22
PROHIBITED CONTACT .......................................................................................9
1.23
SPECIFICATION AND AWARD PROTEST .........................................................9
1.24
PUBLICITY ..............................................................................................................9
1.25
WAIVER OF MINOR IRREGULARITIES.............................................................9
1.26
COOPERATIVE PURCHASING ..........................................................................10
1.27
PERFORMANCE BOND .......................................................................................10
PART 2. SCOPE OF WORK....................................................................................... 11
PART 3. BID REQUIREMENTS................................................................................ 23
NWFWMD Bid No. 27B-001: 2027 Hand Planting Services for Reforestation and Groundcover Restoration
Page 2 of 29
3.1
RULES FOR THE BIDS ........................................................................................23
3.2
BID BOND..............................................................................................................24
3.3
VENDOR REGISTRATION AND W-9 FORMS ..................................................24
3.4
RESPONDENT CHECKLIST ................................................................................24
PART 4. EVALUATION OF BIDS ............................................................................ 25
4.1
EVALUATION METHOD AND CRITERIA........................................................25
PART 5. FORMS ......................................................................................................... 26
5.1
BIDDER ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM ..........................................................26
5.2
BID SHEET FORM ................................................................................................27
5.3
BIDDER INFORMATION FORM.........................................................................28
PART 6. DRAFT AGREEMENT FOR PROJECT ..................................................... 29
NWFWMD Bid No. 27B-001: 2027 Hand Planting Services for Reforestation and Groundcover Restoration
Page 3 of 29
PART 1. GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1 DEFINITIONS
For the purpose of this bid, “respondent” or “bidder” means contractor, vendors, consultants,
organizations, firms, or other persons submitting a response to this Invitation to Bid.
1.2 PURPOSE
The Northwest Florida Water Management District, 81 Water Management Drive, Havana, Florida
32333, (hereinafter referred to as the “District”) is issuing this Invitation to Bid (ITB) for the
project titled “2027 HAND PLANTING SERVICES FOR REFORESTATION AND
GROUNDCOVER RESTORATION.”
1.3 ISSUING OFFICE, DATE AND LOCATION OF OPENING
Northwest Florida Water Management District
Attn: Agency Clerk
81 Water Management Drive
Havana, Florida 32333-4712
THE DISTRICT MUST RECEIVE ALL BIDS BY 2:00 P.M. EASTERN TIME (ET),
SEPTEMBER 24, 2026, THE DAY OF THE PUBLIC OPENING.
1.4 INVITATION TO BID
The District solicits offers for the services of responsible bidders to perform “2027 Hand
Planting Services for Reforestation and Groundcover Restoration” for the planting of
approximately 120,395 container-grown longleaf pine tubelings and 300,000 wiregrass plugs on
approximately 481 acres in Escambia, Jackson and Washington counties. The Work is expected
to begin on or around January 5, 2027.
1.5 AWARDING OF BID
The District anticipates entering into a contract with the bidder who submits a qualified responsive
bid judged by the District to be the lowest cost for the specified services. The District reserves the
right to award the bid to the next lowest responsive bidder in the event the successful respondent
fails to enter into the Agreement, or the Agreement with said respondent is terminated within 90
days of the effective date.
The respondent understands this bid does not constitute an agreement or a contract with the
District. An official contract or agreement is not binding until the bids are reviewed and
accepted by appointed staff, approved by the appropriate level of authority within the
District, and the contract or agreement is executed by both parties.
The District reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to negotiate with the qualified
Contractor(s) submitting the lowest bid(s), to waive any irregularities of a minor nature, and to
solicit and re-advertise for other bids. Mistakes clearly evident on the face of the bid documents,
such as computation errors, may be corrected by the District. Per s. 255.0991, F.S., the District has
no regulation that provides Contractor preference as described in that statute.
All bids may be subject to the approval of the Northwest Florida Water Management District
NWFWMD Bid No. 27B-001: 2027 Hand Planting Services for Reforestation and Groundcover Restoration
Page 4 of 29
Governing Board at a duly noticed Board meeting.
Notice of a bid award shall be posted to the District’s website, DemandStar website, and the State
of Florida’s Vendor Information Portal website.
1.6 DEVELOPMENT COSTS
The District shall not be responsible or liable for any expenses incurred in connection with the
preparation of a response to this bid. Respondents should prepare the bid simply and economically,
to provide a straightforward and concise description of the respondent's ability to meet the
requirements of the bid.
1.7 CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The award hereunder is subject to Ch. 112, F.S. All bidders shall disclose with their bids the name
of any officer, director, board member or agent who is also an employee of the State of Florida, or
any of its agencies. Further, all bidders shall disclose the name of any state employee or any board
member or employee of the District who owns directly or indirectly an interest of five percent
(5%) or more in the bidder’s firm, subsidiaries, or branches. If none, state none.
1.8 DISTRICT FORMS AND RULES
When included, all forms supplied by the Northwest Florida Water Management District shall be
submitted with the bids. All bids must comply with applicable Florida Statutes, laws, and rules.
1.9 MANDATORY PRE-BID CONFERENCE AND/OR ORAL PRESENTATIONS
There will not be a mandatory pre-bid conference for this solicitation.
There will not be oral presentations for this solicitation.
1.10 INQUIRIES AND ADDENDA
All questions regarding this ITB shall be provided in writing and emailed to the Procurement
Officer, Lyn Shiver, at Lyn.Shiver@nwfwater.com no later than 12:00 P.M. (Noon) Eastern Time
(ET) on September 9, 2026. Inquiries shall reference the date of the ITB opening and ITB title and
number.
If addenda become necessary, the District will provide written addenda and post addenda on the
District’s website, DemandStar website, and on the State of Florida’s Vendor Information Portal
website at least ten (10) calendar days before the bid opening date. Prospective bidders are
responsible for determining whether addenda have been issued and are advised to check the
websites or with the District’s Procurement Officer prior to submitting their bid.
Submission of a bid constitutes acknowledgment of receipt of all addenda. Bids will be construed
as though all addenda have been received. Failure of the respondent to obtain any addenda does
not relieve respondent from any and all obligations under the bid, as submitted. All addenda
become part of the Contract Documents.
1.11 TIMETABLE
The District and respondents shall adhere to the following schedule in all actions concerning this
bid.
• On September 2, 2026, the District issues the Invitation to Bid.
NWFWMD Bid No. 27B-001: 2027 Hand Planting Services for Reforestation and Groundcover Restoration
Page 5 of 29
This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.
