Specifications include, but are not limited to: 1. Clemson University, Youth Learning Institute, (CU) is soliciting bids for the sale of pine straw located on a portion of the W.W. Long Leadership Center, in Aiken County. The pine straw shall be harvested from planted pine trees covering approximately 100 acres. Future prorations to the contract price will be based on reductions to this acreage however, bidders should satisfy themselves as to the actual acreage suitable for production consistent with their own standards of operation. The term of this contract will be for 1 year and with the option to renew for 4 additional years.. 2. Pine straw offered for sale by the CU originates from mainly long leaf pine and ranges in age from new growth to mature trees. 3. CU will grant all reasonable rights of ingress and egress over the property to carry out the provisions of this contact. However, the Contractor shall use existing roads where possible and leave the roads in a condition as good or better than they were at the commencement of this contract, ordinary wear and tear expected. 4. The contractor, together with all employees, is prohibited from any other activities and from any other areas not specifically related to the performance of this contract. No camping, hunting, fishing, and open fires will occur on said property while engaged in harvesting and removing of pine straw. The contractor shall assist CU in fighting and suppressing any and all fires upon or threatening lands upon which pine straw operation are being conducted. Seedlings and trees shall be protected from unnecessary injury. 5. Contractor access is limited to weekdays between 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM. In addition, CU will prohibit access on weekends, state holidays, four (4) days during Thanksgiving holiday, and two (2) weeks over the Christmas holiday as determined by the Property Manager. 6. CU reserved the right to remove acreage from the lease at its discretion. CU will communicate such intentions to the contractor, as soon as practical, in order to facilitate any transitioning of acreage in the lease. Subsequent to acreage reductions, the contractors payments will be prorated and reduced accordingly. 7. The contractor shall mow, or make follow-up applications to herbicide the weeds in the pine plantation and do any other preparation necessary to facilitate the raking and baling of the pine straw at its own expense. Herbicide applications shall be with and approved herbicide at approved application rates only. Approvals of the herbicide and any deviations from this standard must be approved by CU in advance. Applications shall be made by an approved applicator. 8. The contractor agrees to avoid damaging the fences, roads, firebreaks, trees, crops and other improvements located on CU property. The Contractor agrees to repair or compensate CU for any such damage that may occur during the term of the contract
