DeSoto County Lawn Maintenance Services

TS-01 SCOPE OF SERVICES 1.0 SCOPE OF WORK: A. The Contractor shall provide all labor, material, equipment, supplies and supervision necessary for the performance of the grounds maintenance at Ten (10) locations as specified herein. B. All ground maintenance work specified herein shall be completed to achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance. This will consist of complete mowing and trimming at each site and all required maintenance of plant beds, tree pruning, shrubbery maintenance, chemical application, litter control and removal of debris from the sites. The number of cuts may vary upon the time of year. The Facilities Director is requesting a monthly price to maintain an aesthetically pleasing appearance whether the lawns are maintained for multiple times per month or one time per month depending on the time of year. DeSoto County Courthouse, 115 E. Oak Street DeSoto County Administration Building, 201 E. Oak Street Public Safety Administration Bldg., 122 N. Hillsborough Ave. DeSoto County Library, 125 N. Hillsborough Ave. DeSoto County Building Dept., 126 N. Hillsborough Ave. Emergency Operations Center, 2200 N.E. Roan Street Extension Building, 2240 N.E. Roan Street Turner Center Agricultural Center Complex 2250 N.E. Roan Street Highway 70 Sign & Island, 1985 S.E. Carlstrom Field Road Fire Station 1, Corner of Cypress and Polk Ave. DeSoto County Administration Annex 815 N. Mills Ave Extra Work – The County, without invalidating this Bid, may order changes in the Work within the general scope of this Bid consisting of additions, deletions or other revisions, the Bid price and time being adjusted accordingly. All such changes in the Work shall be authorized by a written Addendum to this Agreement, and shall be executed under the applicable conditions of the Bid. 2.0 SERVICES: The Contractor shall provide the following services under the Agreement: A. Prepare a Grounds Maintenance Plan and a Monthly Work Plan for the scheduled work. B. Mow, edge, trim grass, spread mulch, clean and rake, hedge or prune shrubs, and maintain plant beds keeping them weed free. Any major pruning must be approved in advance by the Facilities Director. 1. Mowing frequency – on an as needed basis to maintain an aesthetically pleasing appearance. 2. Edging will be done so no grass extends over the edge of the surrounding surface (sidewalks, roads, and planting areas). Hardscape edges are to be done with a bladed edger not a string weedeater. 3. Litter control will be performed prior to mowing. 4. Irrigation maintenance will be performed by Facilities Department. The Contractor will be responsible for scheduling water needs with the Facilities Director. 5. Grass growing up to the trees at the Library will be mowed up to the trees or use chemical herbicide to take care of the grass. C. The Contractor shall apply chemicals and mulch in the following manner for ground maintenance (irrigated turf & beds): 1. Fertilization – The Contractor will be responsible for taking soil samples prior to the first application of the year to determine and correct for any deficiencies in the soil content. Soil sample test results and fertilization schedules are to be provided to the Facilities Director. Fertilizers will be applied to the turf six (6) times per year. The Contractor shall notify the Facilities Director before fertilizing each location. 2. Insect Control – Insecticide/pesticides will be applied six (6) times per year for control of pests. An ongoing visual inspection will be made to correct problems that may arise between scheduled applications. Keep records on pests identified and treatment. The Contractor shall notify the Facilities Director before insecticides are applied at each location. 3. Mulching – The County will furnish the mulch to be installed. The Contractor will be responsible for the labor involved in distributing the mulch at the different sites. Depending on budget, mulched areas may be replenished once per year (between November and February). 4. Weed Control – All basins around tree and shrub areas will be maintained weed free. A non-selective post/re-emergent herbicide can be used. Hand weeding will be performed as deemed necessary. All plant beds are to be kept free of weeds and edged to keep a crisp, clean appearance at all times, to include winter months. D. Tree and Shrub Maintenance should be performed in the following manner: 1. Palm trees will be fertilized two times per year with a palm type fertilizer and as needed to sustain the tree. 2. Other trees and shrubs will be fertilized as the surrounding turf is done or as needed to sustain the plant. 3. Shrubs will be trimmed to maintain health. 4. Shrubs and trees, when damaged, will be pruned immediately. 5. Insect control on all trees and shrubs will begin when there is a noticeable change in the condition of the plant. 6. Weed and grass to be controlled within a two-foot diameter around trees and shrubs for visual control. 7. All debris will be removed from the County sites. 8. Any safety hazards, such as hanging tree limbs, that pose a safety hazard to the public, shall be reported to the Facilities Director immediately. 9. Palm trees less than 12 foot will need to be included in the general maintenance regarding hanger removal. 10. Hedges between the Library and Maintenance Building will need to be included regarding fertilization and trimming. Insecticide/pesticide applications shall be done in accordance with local and state laws pertaining to use of chemicals on public properties. Use the manufacturer’s recommendations for all chemical applications. Keep records on pests identified and treatment. Applications of insecticide/pesticides shall be performed at a time when the public will not be in contact with the chemicals. Chemicals shall not be applied during times of inclement weather. Environmental concerns must be addressed when developing the program. A copy of all lawn and ornamental pesticides license must be provided before work commences by the successful bidder. If the person who holds the license is replaced or leaves the company, a copy of a current license from the new employee will be submitted to the County Project Manager immediately. 3.0 EQUIPMENT A. Equipment utilized by the Contractor must be in good condition and shall be maintained to achieve maximum operating efficiency at all times. B. Equipment utilized by the Contractor shall be subject to inspection by the Facilities Manager or designee at any time, and any equipment deemed unsafe or inoperable by the County shall be removed from the premises immediately. 4.0 SAFETY: A. Contractor shall provide and require his/her employees to wear protective clothing, mask, eye protection, etc., during any operation, as required by applicable laws, regulations or ordinances, or recommended by the equipment manufactures. B. Contractor shall adequately protect workers, adjacent property, and the public. The Contractor shall take all necessary precautions for the safety of his employees, the County employees and the general public. C. Equipment must conform to OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety Administration) requirements. 5.0 ATTIRE AND CONDUCT: The Contractor’s employees shall wear Contractor’s shirts (tank tops and mid-drift shirts are not acceptable) with logos affixed thereon that clearly identifies the Contractor’s company name. Contractor personnel shall be neat in appearance, courteous, and perform their functions with the appropriate professionalism. 6.0 INSPECTIONS: The County’s Facilities Director or designee will make periodic review of the sites to evaluate the Contractor’s performance. The Contractor shall, upon receipt of written or verbal direction from the County’s Facilities Director, make the necessary adjustments required to fulfill the requirements specified herein within twelve (12) hours. 7.0 PRESERVATION OF PROPERTIES: The Contractor shall preserve from damage, all property associated with, or which is in the vicinity of, or is in any way affected by, the work. This applies to public and private property and/or utilities. Any damage occurring to such properties shall be immediately reported. Damage caused by the Contractor’s operations shall be repaired at the Contractor’s expense. TS-02 TERM OF CONTRACT This initial term for this Contract will be for a period of One (1) year. This Contract will also include an option to renew for Four (4) additional years, one year at a time upon mutual agreement. TS-03 NON-PERFORMANCE Time is of the essence on this Contract and failure to deliver within time period shall be considered a default. In case of a default, the County may procure the required services from other sources and hold the Contractor responsible for any excess costs occasioned thereby and may immediately cancel the Contract. TS-04 LIQUIDATED DAMAGES The County reserves the right to apply as payment on such liquidate damages any money due the Contractor by the County. TS-05 CRITERIA FOR AWARD: The award of this bid may be in total or in part, to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder(s) who possess adequate equipment with operators, labor, and materials necessary to perform the Work in accordance with the requirements of the Contract. County reserves the right to reject the bid proposal of any bidder who has previously failed to perform properly, or on time, Contracts of similar nature; or who is not in a position to satisfactorily perform the Contract. If, after bid opening the lowest bidder is deemed not responsible by the County, such bidder shall receive written notice from the County of this determination. The bidder shall have five (5) business days from the date of this notice to dispute the determination and to provide to the County any additional information it deems relevant regarding the bidder’s responsibility. The County shall make a final determination