Agenda Item Name:
Title
Award/Negotiate - RFP 21-239 Annual Northeast Flatwoods Preserve Hunting Agreement, at no cost to the County, for Environmental Protection, Land Conservation Department.
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Presenter:
Charlie Houder, Director, 352.264.68031/Larry Sapp, 352.374.5202
Description:
Ranking and authorize staff to negotiate a contract for RFP 21-239 Annual Northeast Flatwoods Preserve Hunting Agreement.
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approve the ranking of RFP 21-239 Annual Northeast Flatwoods Preserve Hunting Agreement as follows:
1. Douglas Mercer
2. Jeremy Lawson
3. Dale Townsend
4. Eric Pace
5. William L. Polk Enterprises
Approve the above ranking and authorize staff to negotiate a contract for RFP 21-239 Annual Northeast Flatwoods Preserve Hunting Agreement with the top ranked hunter. Should the staff be unable to negotiate a satisfactory contract with the top ranked hunter, negotiations with that hunter will be terminated. If needed, negotiations with the second and third ranked hunters shall be undertaken in the same manner in order of ranking until a contract is reached.
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Prior Board Motions:
January 22, 2013, Item 15: Hunting Business Plan for Alachua County Forever Preserves. The Board moved to approve the Alachua County Forever Hunting Business Plan and adopt its associated principles, policies and directives to guide recreational hunting on Alachua County Forever Preserves.
August 13, 2013, item 45: Process to solicit for Multi-year Hunting Agreements on Certain Alachua County Forever Preserves. The Board moved to approve the Alachua County Foever Hunting Request for proposals Process that will solicit Multi-year Hunting Agreements on certain County Preserves.
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
Caretaking, maintenance and security services are being provided to the County at no cost. Entering into this agreement will save the County the cost of certain caretaking services that will be performed by the hunter/caretakers.
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Background:
The Board of County Commissioners approved the Hunting Business Plan on January 22, 2013. One of the strategies was to continue the practice of allowing private entities to hunt on certain Alachua County Forever Preserves in exchange for a suite of property caretaking services that help offset the cost of managing preserves. These services include, site security, feral hog control mowing and road, fence and gate maintenance and repairs. The plan calls for the County to competitively bid these opportunities. On August 13, 2013 the Board approved the competitive process by which the County solicits and evaluates multi-year hunting agreements on certain Alachua County Forever Preserves.
RFP 21-239 Annual Northeast Flatwoods Preserve Hunting Agreement advertised on July 7, 2020. The deadline for receipt of RFP 21-239 Annual Northeast Flatwoods Preserve Hunting Agreement was August 5, 2020; five (5) vendors responded. The submittals were ranked by the ranking committee at the September 16th, 2020 public meeting. Douglas Mercer received the highest score at this meeting and the ranking committee moved to recommend him for the hunter/caretaker license agreement. Mr. Mercer won the bid for the first agreement in 2015, and consistently provided high quality service to Alachua County on the Phifer Additions Tract.
This agreement will continue a history of successful, cost-saving partnerships with local hunters to take care of County Preserves.