INVITATION TO BID

As a Contractor, you are invited to submit a bid to the FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES, DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY, hereinafter referred to as Owner, for the construction and installation of a Citrus Budwood Greenhouse in Chiefland, Florida which shall include all labor, equipment, materials necessary to complete the project as per specifications. The Project Budget is estimated to be between: $1.4 and $2 million.

For the construction and installation of: One (1) Greenhouse complex which shall include all labor, equipment, shipping, and materials necessary to construct and install the greenhouse complex. The bidder must be able to provide proof of experience in the construction and installation of a greenhouse similar to the unit specified in the Invitation to Bid within the past five years.

PROJECT NAME AND LOCATION: Citrus Budwood Greenhouse located at Andrews Nursery, 9850 N. W. 42nd Court, Chiefland, Florida 32626.

SOLICITATION DOCUMENT: The entire solicitation document, which includes specifications, may be viewed and downloaded from the Vendor Bid System at http://myflorida.com, click on Business, Doing Business with the State of Florida, Everything for Vendors and Customers, Vendor Bid System, Search Advertisements, Bid Number ITB/PI-06/07-26, or by calling the Purchasing Office, (850)487-3727.

MANDATORY PRE-BID CONFERENCE/SITE VISIT: Each bidder must, before submitting a bid, attend the mandatory pre-bid conference/site visit. The pre-bid conference/site visit will be held on September 28, 2006, at 1:00 p.m., at the Division of Forestry, Andrews Nursery, 9850 N. W. 42nd Court, Chiefland, Florida 32626. During the pre-bid conference a site visit will be held for prospective bidders. It is the bidders’ responsibility to consider any and all site conditions or requirements for the project. Specifications will be available at the mandatory pre-bid conference/site visit.

PUBLIC ENTITY CRIME INFORMATION STATEMENT: 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 Section 287.017, F.S., for Category Two for a period of 36 months from the date of being placed on the convicted vendor list.

DISCRIMINATION; DENIAL OR REVOCATION FOR THE RIGHT TO TRANSACT BUSINESS WITH PUBLIC ENTITIES: An entity or affiliate who had been placed on the discriminatory vendor list 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.

PERFORMANCE BOND AND LABOR AND MATERIAL PAYMENT BOND: If the construction contract award amount is $100,000.00 or less, a Performance Bond and a Labor and Material Payment Bond are not required.

Sealed bids will be received, publicly opened and read aloud on:

DATE AND TIME: October 17, 2006, 2:00 p.m.

PLACE: Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 407 S. Calhoun Street, Room SB8, Mayo Building, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, (850)487-3727.

CONTRACT AWARD: The official Notice of Award Recommendation will be by electronic posting at http://fcn. state.fl.us/owa_vbs/owa/vbs_www.main_menu.

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, Florida Statutes. If no protest is filed the contract will be awarded to the qualified, responsive low bidder in accordance with Chapter 60D-5, F.A.C. by the Owner.