1-PAR040326 RFI Sole Source Notice -Tree Utah Planting Materials.pdf
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- Solicitation number
- SLCo PAR040326 - RFI
- Issued by
- Salt Lake County, Utah
About this file
This is a Notice of Proposed Sole Source Procurement (RFI) issued by Salt Lake County's Division of Contracts and Procurement for tree planting materials to support an ongoing partnership with Tree Utah. Salt Lake County Parks & Recreation Division seeks to establish a sole source standardization contract with Tree Utah, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, to provide trees, mulch, soil amendments, and related sundries for planting approximately 1,500 trees across County parks over a five-year period. The notice was published on April 3, 2026, with comments due by April 10, 2026, at 1:00 PM Mountain Daylight Time. No site visits or bidder conferences are mentioned in the notice. The contract term spans five years with an estimated total cost of $495,000, and the projected lifespan of planted trees is 50 years or more if properly established and maintained.
The estimated contract value is $495,000 over five years, with Tree Utah providing materials at a fully loaded cost of $330 per tree. This pricing reflects discounted rates that Tree Utah has secured through established supplier relationships developed in their role as a non-profit organization. The sole source justification emphasizes standardization and compatibility with Tree Utah's existing tree planting and establishment services, which Tree Utah currently provides under an existing contract with the County. The County previously engaged Tree Utah to manage its Million Tree program and continues to benefit from their volunteer efforts. The sole source procurement is justified on grounds that the County could obtain materials elsewhere but likely not at Tree Utah's rate or without significant logistical complications. Tree Utah's mission and purpose align with County environmental and public health objectives, making them the preferred standardization provider for this procurement.
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Text version
NOTICE OF PROPOSED SOLE SOURCE PROCUREMENT
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)
SALT LAKE COUNTY
Notice #: PAR040326
The Division of Contracts and Procurement has received a request to purchase from a “sole source” vendor. If, for any reason, any party does not agree that this sole source purchase is applicable, please email the contact person for Salt Lake County Contracts and Procurement Division prior to the “Comments Due Date:” indicated below:
Title: Tree Planting Materials for Tree Planting
SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION
Sole source procurement is appropriate when goods or services are only available from a single vendor; when the most important consideration is the standardization or compatibility of equipment, materials, technology, software accessories, replacement parts, or service; where transitional costs are unreasonable or cost prohibitive; or if it otherwise qualifies under County Ordinance 3.20.030.
Salt Lake County Parks & Recreation Division seeks to enter into a sole source/standardization with Tree Utah, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is currently under contract with the County for tree planting, establishment and on-going tree care and employee tree care education. This sole source standardization amends the contract for the purchase of tree planting materials (Trees, mulch, soil amendment and sundries for tree planting) at a reduced rate.
Proposed Standardization Provider: Tree Utah
Notice Start Date: 4.3.26
Comments Due Date/Time: April 10, 2026, before 1:00pm Mountain Daylight Time
Estimated Costs: $495,000 for 5 years
Contact Person: Teresa Young email address: tyoung@saltlakecounty.gov
Materials Provided to Salt Lake County The County is a governmental entity subject to the Utah Governmental Records and Access Management Act (GRAMA), Utah Code Section 63G-2-101 et seq. All documents submitted in response to this RFI will be treated as protected records under GRAMA Section 63G-2-305(7). Please be advised that documents submitted in response to this RFI will become public records upon execution of a contract directly relating to the subject of this request or in the event the County does not enter into a contract which directly relates to the subject matter upon the expiration of two years from the date of issue of this RFI. Trade secrets and commercial information will not be disclosed provided that you have properly compiled with Utah Code Section 63G-2-305 http://library.municode.com/HTML/16602/level2/TIT3REFI_CH3.20PUPR.html#TIT3REFI_CH3.20PUPR_3.20.030PRNORECOPR and Utah Code Section 63G-2-309.
DO NOT RESPOND THROUGH UTAH PUBLIC PROCUREMENT PLACE
SEND COMMENTS DIRECTLY TO CONTACT PERSON!
BACKGROUND
Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation has hired Tree Utah, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides tree planting and public educational services throughout the state to plant approximately 1,500 trees in County parks over the next 5 years.
This sole source standardization will allow Tree Utah to provide the trees and planting material along with their contracted tree planting & educational services.
As a non-profit, Tree Utah has sourced trees and materials to support their establishment when planted such as mulch, soil amendments, as well at the tree itself at a fully loaded cost of $330/tree. This is an economic value for what is being procured. They have suppliers they work with and source the necessary trees and materials.
Salt Lake County has partnered with Tree Utah in the past, having them manage the Million Tree program as well as using their volunteer efforts to plant thousands of trees in County parks. Tree Utah's purpose and mission is congruent with the County's, will support better environmental outcomes and positively impact social indicators of health, while furthering our ability to continue to grow our urban canopy.
Describe in detail what is unique about this product/service to justify a sole source:
As a non-profit, Tree Utah already has sources for trees and materials in place to procure at a discounted rate.
Could the good or service be reasonably modified to allow for competition? Explain in detail:
The County could procure the materials needed for this effort elsewhere, but likely not at the rate Tree Utah can source and with additional logistical hurdles.
Describe the existing equipment, goods, or services that this procurement item must be compatible with and explain why. Include the original purchase price and date of purchase if known.
Tree Utah, established in 1989, will work with Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation to strengthen the biodiversity of our parks by leveraging their resources both professional and volunteer to plant trees in County parks, to manage their health and well-being during the establishment period and use this opportunity to provide public education and professional education to all County agencies regarding best management practices.
What is the remaining life expectancy of the existing equipment or goods?
Trees, if established properly and maintained, may have a life expectancy of 50 years or more.
Explain the market research performed to make the sole source recommendation.
As a non-profit, Tree Utah has sourced trees and materials to support their establishment when planted such as mulch, soil amendments, as well at the tree itself at a fully loaded cost of $330/tree. This is an economic value for what is being procured. They have suppliers they work with and source the necessary trees and materials.
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