25-8463_Solicitation.pdf

Procurement Services Division

COLLIER COUNTY

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

INVITATION TO BID (ITB)

FOR

BEE REMOVAL SERVICES

SOLICITATION NO.: 25-8463

BECCA ZIMMERMAN, PROCUREMENT STRATEGIST

PROCUREMENT SERVICES DIVISION

3295 TAMIAMI TRAIL EAST, BLDG C-2

NAPLES, FLORIDA 34112

TELEPHONE: (239) 252-4840

Becca.Zimmerman@colliercountyfl.gov (Email)

This solicitation document is prepared in a Microsoft Word format. Any alterations to this document made by the Bidder may be grounds for rejection of the bid, cancellation of any subsequent award, or any other legal remedies available to the Collier County Government.

SOLICITATION PUBLIC NOTICE

INVITATION TO BID (ITB) NUMBER: 25-8463

PROJECT TITLE: Bee Removal Services

DUE DATE: September 29, 2025

PLACE OF BID OPENING: PROCUREMENT SERVICES DIVISION

3295 TAMIAMI TRAIL EAST, BLDG C-2

NAPLES, FL 34112

All bids shall be submitted online via the Collier County Procurement Services Division Online Bidding System:

https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/collier-county-fl.

INTRODUCTION

As requested by the Public Utilities Water Division (hereinafter, the "Division"), the Collier County Board of County Commissioners Procurement Services Division (hereinafter, "County") has issued this Invitation to Bid (hereinafter, "ITB") with the intent of obtaining bid submittals from interested and qualified vendors in accordance with the terms, conditions and specifications stated or attached. At a minimum, the vendor must achieve the requirements of the Specifications or Scope of Work stated. All references to “Vendor” are also referred to as “Contractor” and “Bidder.”

The results of this solicitation may be used by other County departments once awarded according to the Board of County Commissioners Procurement Ordinance.

Historically, County departments have spent approximately $50,000 annually however, however this may not be indicative of future spending pattern.

BACKGROUND

The Public Utilities Division maintains over 100,000-meter boxes, water valve boxes, and ARV housings, which allow bees to access and build hives inside. Over 800 County owned locations need bee removal services, annually. Other County Divisions may utilize this bid for locations, such as Parks, beaches, and other County owned facilities. In most cases, the bees will be requested to be removed alive, however, if there is a public safety issue, the County may request eradication.

TERM OF CONTRACT

The contract term, if awards are made is intended to be for (3) years with two (2) one (1) year renewal options.

Prices shall remain firm for the initial year of the awarded contract.

Surcharges will not be accepted in conjunction with the awarded contract, and such charges should be incorporated into the pricing structure.

The County Manager, or the County Manager’s designee, may extend the contract under all of the terms and conditions contained in the awarded contract for up to one hundred and eighty (180) days. The County Manager or designee, shall give the Contractor written notice of the County's intention to extend the contract term prior to the end of the contract term then in effect.

All goods are FOB destination and must be suitably packed and prepared to secure the lowest transportation rates and to comply with all carrier regulations. Risk of loss of any goods sold hereunder shall transfer to the COUNTY at the time and place of delivery; provided that risk of loss prior to actual receipt of the goods by the COUNTY nonetheless remain with VENDOR.

AWARD CRITERIA

ITB award criteria are as follows:

The County’s Procurement Services Division reserves the right to clarify a Bidder’s submittal prior to the award of the solicitation.

It is the intent of Collier County to award to the lowest, responsive and responsible Bidder(s) that represents the best value to https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/collier-county-fl the County.

For the purposes of determining the winning Bidder, the County will select the Bidder with the lowest price as outlined below:

• Lowest Total Bid by Category

Collier County reserves the right to select one, or more than one Bidder, award on a line item basis, establish a pool for quoting, or other options that represents the best value to the County; however, it is the intent to:

• Identify Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary

The County reserves the right to issue a formal contract or standard County Purchase Order for the award of this solicitation.

DETAILED SCOPE OF WORK

Bidders may bid on one or both Categories. Pricing shall be all inclusive of materials, equipment, and labor.

Category A – Removal (Registered beekeeper and/or Licensed Pest Control) Category B – Eradication (Licensed Pest Control only)

1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1.1. Category A – Removal (Registered beekeeper):

1.1.1 Bidders/Beekeepers hired to conduct live removal of honey bees are required to be registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS ) but need not be licensed under Chapter 482, Florida Statutes (F.S).

1.1.2 Bidders/Registered beekeepers can remove and relocate nuisance swarms or established colonies in accordance with Rule 5E-14.151, F.A.C., and can request to be on the Bee Removal or Eradication List. Beekeepers should use Best Management Practices for Live Bee Removals in Florida: A Beekeeper’s Guide (attached as Attachment A) as a reference for performing live bee removal services in Florida.

1.2. Category B – Eradication (Required Licensed Pest Control only):

1.2.1 The eradication of bees is regulated under the Structural Pest Control Act, Chapter 482, F.S. Only a licensed pest control company can provide the service of eradication of a colony (Section 482.021, F.S.). Eradication is often the safest and preferred choice when the colony is nesting in a location that poses a stinging threat to humans, does not facilitate safe removal (e.g., high up in a tree, deep in an occupied dwelling, near a school, etc.), or is deemed no longer able to thrive. Subcontractors are not allowed for this service.

1.2.2 The County shall determine if eradication is necessary. Although honey bees are an important agricultural resource, it is NOT illegal for a licensed pest control company to eradicate a nuisance honey bee colony. In some cases, public safety necessitates that a given colony be eradicated.

1.3. Bidders should, prior to the bid due date, be listed on the FDACS Honey Bee Removal or Eradication List, exception may be made at the discretion of the County. Registered beekeepers or pest control operators who perform bee removal or eradication services and would like to be included on the list should complete and submit a Request for Inclusion on Bee Removal or Eradication List Form found on the FDACS.GOV website, prior to the bid date.

1.4. Bidders shall submit a copy of their beekeeper registration or pest control license with their bid submission.

2. PERFORMANCE

2.1. The County shall notify the Successful Bidders via phone or email when services are needed.

2.2. The Successful Bidder shall acknowledge the request for service within one (1) business day and arrive at the service request location within two (2) business days of the County’s initial request.

2.3. The County shall issue a purchase order via email. No work shall be performed without a valid purchase order. The Purchase Order shall survive contract expiration to allow completion of any existing jobs.

2.4. The Successful Bidder shall perform the work within five (5) business days of the request and issuance of a valid purchase order. The Successful Bidder must coordinate with County staff the day and time to perform the work.

2.5. The Successful Bidder shall remove the existing comb and honey to prevent attracting nearby bees.

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0482/0482.html http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0482/0482.html

2.6. The Successful Bidder shall take pictures to document the work, which shall be emailed to the County representative upon completion of the work.

2.7. The Successful Bidder shall return to the work site daily for two (2) days immediately following the initial work to perform any additional bee removal or eradication.

2.8. The Successful Bidder shall ensure the work site is left in a satisfactory condition, this shall be to the discretion of the County representative.

2.9. Additional time may be approved by the County via email.

3. URGENT REQUEST

3.1. Should the County representative determine an urgent need for service, the vendor shall complete the work to relieve the urgent situation within twenty-four (24) hours from the County’s initial request. The County representative may provide, in writing, additional time to fully complete the work.

3.2. An Urgent Request Fee, per the Bid Schedule, may be added to the invoice for County approved urgent requests. The Successful Bidder shall also receive their hourly rate while performing the urgent work. The Urgent Request Fee may only be invoiced once per urgent request.

3.3. For bidding purposes, the Urgent Request Fee shall not exceed $100.

4. PRICE INCREASES AND INVOICING

4.1. Prices shall remain firm for the initial term of the awarded agreement. Requests for consideration of a price adjustment must be made prior to the contract renewal date thereafter and submitted in writing to the Director of Public Utilities Division. Price adjustments are dependent upon the most recent 12-month Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area, budget availability, and Public Utilities Division Director or designee approval.

4.2. The Procurement Director or designee has the authority to approve price adjustments in accordance with the Procurement Ordinance, as amended. Price increase requests are not guaranteed. If approved, the Vendor will be notified in writing with the effective date of any approved price increases.

4.3. The County may, after examination, refuse to accept the adjusted rates if they are not properly documented, or considered to be excessive, or if decreases are considered to be insufficient. In the event the County does not wish to accept the adjusted rates and the matter cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of the County, a contract termination will be processed.

4.4. The work must be completed to the County’s satisfaction within the time agreed upon and the County representative must be in possession of the pictures documenting the work for the County to approve the Successful Bidder’s invoice for payment.

Any delays without County approval may delay the Successful Bidder’s payment.

4.5. The Successful Bidder shall only invoice for actual hours at the work site. The Successful Bidder cannot invoice for more than the quoted not-to-exceed amount.

4.6. For urgent requests, the Successful Bidder shall invoice their hourly rate per the Bid Schedule and awarded contract Fee Schedule for work performed at the site plus the Urgent Request Fee.

5. ASSIGNMENT OF WORK

5.1. The Successful Bidder shall provide a company contact name, phone number and email address for all requests and shall be available twenty-four (24) hours per day, 365 days per year.

5.2. If the Successful Primary Vendor does not respond in the required time period for response, the County Representative may solicit the Secondary Vendor and then the Tertiary Vendor. The County reserves the right to seek services outside of the contract if the Primary, Secondary, or Tertiary are unable to perform.

6. SAFETY

6.1. The awarded Vendors shall comply with all Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as well as any applicable federal, state and county regulations while performing work under the resultant Contract. Vendor shall be responsible for the safety of their employees and any unsafe acts or conditions that may cause injury or damage to any persons or property within and around the service areas.

6.2. Barricades shall be provided and utilized by the Vendor when work is performed in public areas, or when deemed necessary by the County Representative, at no additional cost to the County.

6.3. Hazardous conditions shall be immediately reported to the County Representative.

VENDOR CHECKLIST

***Vendor should check off each of the following items as the necessary action is completed (please see, Vendor Check List)***