NIGP 98888: Tree Trimming and Pruning Services

NIGP 98888 Tree Trimming and Pruning Services, Item tier, covers vegetation management work state and local governments are actively soliciting under right-of-way clearance, power-line tree work, golf course and park maintenance, wildfire mitigation, and line clearance operations. Sacramento County Water Agency is soliciting comprehensive landscaping, irrigation, vegetation management, and facility-adjacent maintenance services across water utility operational sites through an RFP due October 7, 2026, requiring California C-27 landscape contractor licensure and ISA Certified Arborist credentials for tree pruning; meanwhile, the Sacramento County Department of Transportation is seeking similar services via RFB due October 2, 2026, across county-owned properties and road right-of-ways with identical licensing requirements. Issuing bodies span state departments of transportation and agriculture, county park and facilities management agencies, city public works and utilities departments, independent school districts, special districts (water agencies, tourism authorities, flood control districts), and municipal governments seeking routine grounds maintenance alongside emergency tree services on as-needed contract platforms.

Solicitations concentrate in California, Texas, Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas, with notable activity from Caltrans (IFB 12A2406 for Orange County tree services due October 13, 2026; IFB 10A2966 for eight central valley counties due October 15, 2026), the Florida Department of Agriculture Forest Service (wildfire mitigation term agreements for five service levels across four regions, bids due October 20, 2026), and the City of Orlando, Florida (RFP26-0203 for arborist consulting, tree removal, and pruning services with ISA TRAQ certification mandatory, proposals due May 21, 2026). Caltrans contracts explicitly apply 5% small business preference and up to 5% DVBE incentive capped at $100,000; California High-Speed Rail Authority's tree removal and disposal solicitation (HSR26-31 in Fresno and Kings counties, IFB due October 9, 2026) carries a 25% small business goal with 3% microbusiness carveout and 3% DVBE goal. The City of Orlando opportunity is federally funded through USDA Forest Service Inflation Reduction Act award and requires prevailing wage minimum of $15.00 per hour, Davis-Bacon compliance, and E-Verify verification. Sacramento County Water Agency awards to the top two scoring proposers; typical awards go to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder on fixed-term or indefinite-term task-order platforms with annual renewal options through 2027–2031.