26_209_ITB.pdf

Bid Item 26-209 Landscaping for Water Treatment Plants

Bid Due: Friday, June 5, 2026 @ 11:00 a.m.

ITB Item #26-209 May 7, 2026

Landscaping for Water Treatment Plants For

Augusta-Richmond County (herein “Augusta”)

On behalf of the Augusta Utilities Department Located at 452 Walker Street, Augusta, GA 30901

Local Vendor Preference Is Applicable

Andy Penick

Director of Procurement

535 Telfair Street, Suite 605

Augusta, GA 30901

Invitation to Bid

Sealed bids will be received until Friday, June 5, 2026 @ 11:00 a.m. Bid openings are open to the public in the Procurement Department located at 535 Telfair Steet, Suite 605, Augusta, GA 30901, and via Teams: Meeting ID: 230 943 294 346 10; Passcode: Qa2Kk3k9 for furnishing:

Bid Item #26-209 Landscaping for Water Treatment Plants for Augusta, GA – Augusta Utilities

Department

No submittal will be accepted by email. All submittals must be received during our normal office hours from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. No bids may be withdrawn for a period of ninety (90) days after bids have been opened.

Bid documents, and all Addenda, may be obtained on the Augusta, Georgia web site under the

Procurement Department ARCBid (http://appweb2.augustaga.gov/NewARCBid/ARCBid.html), Euna OpenBids (https://network.demandstar.com) and Georgia Procurement Registry

(https://ssl.doas.state.ga.us/gpr/index). Bid documents may be obtained at the office of the

Augusta, GA Procurement Department, 535 Telfair Street – Suite 605, Augusta, GA 30901.

Addenda will also be posted on the above listed website.

Optional site visit will be held on Thursday, May 21, 2026 @ 10:00 a.m. Please contact Stephen

Orton at (706) 836-7283 in advance for details if interested.

Questions, request for clarifications or interpretations regarding this Bid must be submitted to the

Procurement Department:

Augusta Procurement Department

Attn: Jamye Mortley

535 Telfair Street - Suite 605

Augusta, Georgia 30901

Phone: 706-821-2422

Email: procbidandcontract@augustaga.gov

All request for clarifications or interpretations for this bid must be submitted in writing by electronic email to procbidandcontract@augustaga.gov to the Procurement Department on or before the close of Friday, May 22, 2026 by 5:00 P.M.

The local vendor preference program is applicable to this project.

Bidders are cautioned that acquisition of BID documents through any other source than the office of the Procurement Department is not advisable. Acquisition of BID documents from unauthorized sources places the bidder at the risk of receiving incomplete or inaccurate information upon which to base his qualifications.

No bid will be accepted by email; all bids must be received by mail or hand delivered.

Publish:

Augusta Chronicle May 7,14, 20, 2026 mailto:procbidandcontract@augustaga.gov

PROCUREMENT DEPARTMENT

ELECTRONIC TEAMS INFORMATION

The Augusta, Georgia Procurement Department conducts Public RFP, RFQ, and Bid

Openings to award quality contracts for Augusta. Bidders may participate in our Public

Openings via webcast or teleconference by following the instructions outlined below:

ELECTRONIC BID INSTRUCTIONS

Bid Opening – Bid Item #26-209 Landscaping for Water Treatment Plants for Augusta, GA – Utilities Department

Bid openings are open to the public in the Procurement Department located at 535 Telfair Steet, Suite 605, Augusta, GA 30901

Friday, June 5, 2026 @ 11:00 a.m.

TEAMS Opening (optional):

1. Go to https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/join-a-meeting and enter meeting ID: 230 943 294 346 10

2. Passcode: Qa2Kk3k9 https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/join-a-meeting https://zoom.us/join

INSTRUCTIONS TO SUBMIT

1.1 Purpose: The purpose of this document is to provide general and specific information for use by vendors in submitting a bid to supply Augusta, Georgia with equipment, supplies, and or services as listed above. All bids are governed by the Augusta, Georgia Code.

1.2 Viewing the Augusta Code: All bids are governed and awarded in accordance with the applicable federal and state regulations and the Augusta, Georgia Code. To view the Code visit Augusta’s website at www.augustaga.gov or http://www.augustaga.gov/index.aspx?NID=685 Guidelines & Procedures.

1.3 Compliance with laws: The Bidder shall obtain and maintain all licenses, permits, liability insurance, workman's compensation insurance and comply with any and all other standards or regulations required by federal, state or

Augusta, Georgia statute, ordinances, and rules during the performance of any contract between the Bidder and

Augusta, Georgia. Any such requirement specifically set forth in any contract document between the Bidder and

Augusta, Georgia shall be supplementary to this section and not in substitution thereof.

1.4 Bids For All Or Part: Unless otherwise specified, County reserves The Right To make an award(s) for all Items, or categories, or specific line items, to one or more bidders. Bidder may restrict their bid to consideration in the aggregate by so stating but must name a unit price on each item submitted upon.

1.5 All protests shall be made in writing to:

Attn: Andy Penick

Procurement Director

535 Telfair Street, Suite 605

Augusta, GA 30901

Email:procbidandcontract@augustaga.gov

1.6 Local Vendor Preference: The Local Vendor Preference policy shall only be applied to projects of one-hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) or less and only when the lowest local qualified bidder is within 10% or $10,000, whichever is less of the lowest non-local bidders.

1.7 Augusta, Georgia License Requirement: For further information contact the License and Inspection Department

@ 706 312-5050.

General Contractors’ License Number: If applicable, in accordance with O.C.G.A. §43-41, or be subjected to penalties as may be required by law.

Utility Contractor License Number: If applicable, in accordance with O.C.G.A. §43-14, or be subjected to penalties as may be required by law.

1.8 Terms of Contract: (Check where applicable)

[ ] (A) Annual Contract

[ ] (B) One time Purchase.

[X] (C) Other https://augustaga-my.sharepoint.com/personal/2019%20Bid%20Information/2015%20Bid%20Information/15-172A%20Temporary%20Staffing%20Services/www.augustaga.gov http://www.augustaga.gov/index.aspx?NID=685%20%20Guidelines%20&%20Procedures

NOTICE TO ALL VENDORS

ADHERE TO THE BELOW INSTRUCTIONS AND DO NOT SUBSTITUTE FORMS

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Exhibit A is a consolidated document consisting of:

1. Business License Number Requirement (must be provided)

2. Acknowledgement of Addenda (must be acknowledged, if any)

3. Statement of Non-Discrimination

4. Non-Collusion Affidavit of Prime Bidder/Offeror

5. Conflict of Interest

6. Contractor Affidavit and Agreement (E-Verify User ID Number must be provided)

Exhibit A Must be Notarized & Two (2) Pages Must be returned with your submittal.

Business License Requirement: Bidder must be licensed in the Governmental entity for where they do the majority of their business. Your company’s business license number must be provided. If your Governmental entity (State or Local) does not require a business license, your company will be required to obtain an Augusta-

Richmond County business license if awarded a contract. For further information contact the License and

Inspection Department @ 706 312-5050.

Acknowledgement of Addenda: You Must acknowledge all Addenda. See Page 1 of Exhibit A.

E-Verify * User Identification Number (Company I.D.): Vendor must provide the E-Verify affidavit with their bid.

The city, each contractor, and each subcontractor have different roles and responsibilities in the E-Verify process. The city collects E-Verify affidavits from the contractor. The contractor collects E-Verify affidavits from its subcontractors. The subcontractors collect E-Verify affidavits from its sub-subcontractors. Independent contractors (those with no employees) do not need to supply E-Verify information. Instead, they will provide a driver’s license or state identification card from states on the “compliant” list created by the Georgia Attorney General. Those contractors and subcontractors that fill out the affidavits are responsible for the accuracy of the information. The city does not need to confirm that the E-Verify information is correct. The liability for incorrect information is on the contractor or subcontractor. NOTE: The authorization date can be found within the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Affidavit Verifying Status for Augusta Benefit Application (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program)

(Must Be Returned With Your Submittal)

The successful vendor will submit the following forms to the Procurement Department no later than five (5) days after receiving the “Letter of Recommendation” (Vendor’s letter will denote the date forms are to be received)

1. Georgia Security and Immigration Subcontractor Affidavit

2. Non-Collusion Affidavit of Sub-Contractor

3. E-Verify MOU (Memorandum of Understanding)

Exhibit A

Augusta, Georgia Procurement Department

ATTN: Procurement Director

535 Telfair Street, Suite 605

Augusta, Georgia 30901

Name of Bidder: _________________________________________________________________________________________________

Street Address: __________________________________________________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip Code: ____________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone: _______________________________________ Email: ____________________________________________________________

Where/How did you hear about this solicitation? __________________________________________________________________

Attach a copy of your Business License and W-9.

If applicable, provide a copy of your General Contractor License with the following:

Utility Contractors License - MUST BE LISTED ON FRONT OF ENVELOPE

Acknowledgement of Addenda: (#1) ____: (#2) ____: (#3) ____: (#4) ____: (#5) ____: (#6) ____: (#7) ____: (#8) ____

NOTE: CHECK APPROPRIATE BOX (ES) - ADD ADDITIONAL NUMBERS AS APPLICABLE

Statement of Non-Discrimination

The undersigned understands that it is the policy of Augusta, Georgia to promote full and equal business opportunity for all persons doing business with Augusta, Georgia. The undersigned covenants that we have not discriminated, on the basis of race, religion, gender, national origin, or ethnicity, with regard to prime contracting, subcontracting, or partnering opportunities.

The undersigned covenants and agrees to make good faith efforts to ensure maximum practicable participation of local small businesses on the proposal or contract awarded by Augusta, Georgia. The undersigned further covenants that we have completed truthfully and fully the required forms regarding good faith efforts and local small business subcontractor/supplier utilization.

The undersigned further covenants and agrees not to engage in discriminatory conduct of any type against local small businesses, in conformity with Augusta, Georgia’s Local Small Business Opportunity Program. Set forth below is the signature of an officer of the proposer/contracting entity with the authority to bind the entity.

The undersigned acknowledge and warrant that this Company has been made aware of understands and agrees to take affirmative action to provide such companies with the maximum practicable opportunities to do business with this

Company;

That this promise of non-discrimination as made and set forth herein shall be continuing in nature and shall remain in full force and effect without interruption;

That the promises of non-discrimination as made and set forth herein shall be and are hereby deemed to be made as part of and incorporated by reference into any contract or portion thereof which this Company may hereafter obtain and;

That the failure of this Company to satisfactorily discharge any of the promises of nondiscrimination as made and set forth herein shall constitute a material breach of contract entitling Augusta, Georgia to declare the contract in default and to exercise any and all applicable rights remedies including but not limited to cancellation of the contract, termination of the contract, suspension and debarment from future contracting opportunities, and withholding and or forfeiture of compensation due and owing on a contract.

Non-Collusion of Prime Bidder

By submission of a proposal, the vendor certifies, under penalty of perjury, that to the best of its knowledge and belief:

(a) The prices in the proposal have been arrived at independently without collusion, consultation, communications, or agreement, for the purpose of restricting competition, as to any matter relating to such prices with any other vendor or with any competitor.

(b) Unless otherwise required by law, the prices which have been quoted in the proposal have not been knowingly disclosed by the vendor prior to opening, directly or indirectly, to any other vendor or to any competitor.

(c) No attempt has been made, or will be made, by the vendor to induce any other person, partnership, or corporation to submit or not to submit a proposal for the purpose of restricting competition. Collusions and fraud in proposal preparation shall be reported to the State of Georgia Attorney General and the United States Justice Department.

Conflict of Interest

By submission of a bid, the responding firm certifies, under penalty of perjury, that to the best of its knowledge and belief:

1. No circumstances exist which cause a Conflict of Interest in performing the services required by this BID, and

2. That no employee of the County, nor any member thereof, not any public agency or official affected by this BID, has any pecuniary interest in the business of the responding firm or his sub-consultant(s) has any interest that would conflict in any manner or degree with the performance related to this BID. By submission of a bid, the vendor certifies under penalty of perjury, that to the best of its knowledge and belief:

(a) The prices in the bid have been arrived at independently without collusion, consultation, communications, or agreement, for the purpose of restricting competition, as to any matter relating to such prices with any other vendor or with any competitor.

(b) Unless otherwise required by law, the prices which have been quoted in the bid have not knowingly been disclosed by the vendor prior to opening, directly or indirectly, to any other vendor or competitor.

c) No attempt has been made, or will be made, by the vendor to induce any other person, partnership, or cooperation to submit or not to submit a bid for the purpose of restricting competition. For any breach or violation of this provision, the

County shall have the right to terminate any related contract or agreement without liability and at its discretion to deduct from the price, or otherwise recover, the full amount of such fee, commission, percentage, gift, payment, or consideration.

Contractor Affidavit and Agreement: Contractor Affidavit under O.C.G.A. § 13-10-91(b) (l)

GEORGIA E-Verify and Public Contracts: The Georgia E-Verify law requires contractors and all sub-contractors on

Georgia public contract (contracts with a government agency) for the physical performance of services over

$2,499 in value to enroll in E-Verify, regardless of the number of employees. They may be exempt from this requirement if they have no employees and do not plan to hire employees for the purpose of completing any part of the public contract. Certain professions are also exempt. All requests for proposals issued by a city must include the contractor affidavit as part of the requirement for their bid to be considered.

The undersigned contractor ("Contractor") executes this Affidavit to comply with O.C.G.A § 13-10-91 related to any contract to which Contractor is a party that is subject to O.C.G.A. § 13-10-91 and hereby verifies its compliance with O.C.G.A. § 13-10-91, attesting as follows:

a) The Contractor has registered with, is authorized to use, and uses the federal work authorization program commonly known as E-Verify, or any subsequent replacement program;

b) The Contractor will continue to use the federal work authorization program throughout the contract period, including any renewal or extension thereof;

c) The Contractor will notify the public employer in the event the Contractor ceases to utilize the federal work authorization program during the contract period, including renewals or extensions thereof;

d) The Contractor understands that ceasing to utilize the federal work authorization program constitutes a material breach of Contract;

e) The Contractor will contract for the performance of services in satisfaction of such contract only with subcontractors who present an affidavit to the Contractor with the information required by O.C.G.A. § 13-10-91(a), (b), and (c);

f) The Contractor acknowledges and agrees that this Affidavit shall be incorporated into any contract(s) subject to the provisions of O.C.G.A. § 13-10- 91 for the project listed below to which Contractor is a party after the date hereof without further action or consent by Contractor.

For additional information or to enroll your company, visit the State of Georgia website:

https://www.e-verify.gov/employers/enrolling-in-e-verify

Federal Work Authorization User Identification Number: E-VERIFY REQUIRED FOR ALL CONTRACTS OVER $2,499.00

(E-Verify Number) _______________________________________________

Name of Public Employer ________________________________________________________________________

I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.

Executed on ________________________, 20________ in ___________________ (City), ______________(State)

Signature of Authorized Officer or Agent Printed Name and Title of Authorized Officer or Agent

NOTARY COMMISSIONING

Subscribed and sworn before me on this _______ day of ____________________________, 20_______

Notary Public My Commission Expires: NOTARY SEAL

The undersigned further agrees to submit a notarized copy of Exhibit A, and any required documentation noted as part of the

Augusta, Georgia Board of Commissions specifications which govern this process. In addition, the undersigned agrees to submit all required forms for any subcontractor(s) as requested and or required. I further understand that my submittal will be deemed non-compliant if any part of this process is violated.

You Must Complete and Return the two (2) pages of Exhibit A with Your Submittal. Document Must Be Notarized.

http://gma.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0yMjUwOTU1JnA9MSZ1PTUxODY3MTg3MiZsaT0yMTQ3NjI3Nw/index.html https://www.e-verify.gov/employers/enrolling-in-e-verify

Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program

Affidavit Verifying Status for Augusta, Georgia Benefit Application By executing this affidavit under oath, as an applicant for an Augusta, Georgia Business

License or Occupation Tax Certificate, Alcohol License, Taxi Permit, Contract, or other public benefit as reference in O.C.G.A. Section 50-36-1, I am stating the following with respect to my bid for an Augusta, Georgia contract for

[ITB Project Number and Project Name]

[Print/Type: Name of natural person applying on behalf of individual, business, corporation, partnership, or other private entity]

[Print/Type: Name of business, corporation, partnership, or other private entity]

1.) _________ I am a citizen of the United States.

2.) _________ I am a legal permanent resident 18 years of age or older.

3.) _________ I am an otherwise qualified alien (8 § USC 1641) or nonimmigrant under the Federal Immigration and Nationality Act (8 USC 1101 et seq.) 18 years of age or older and lawfully present in the United States. *

In making the above representation under oath, I understand that any person who knowingly and willfully makes a false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation in an affidavit shall be guilty of a violation of Code Section 16-10-20 of the Official Code of Georgia.

Signature of Applicant

Printed Name

*Alien Registration Number for Non-Citizens

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN BEFORE ME ON THIS THE ___________ DAY OF ______________, 20____

Notary Public

My Commission Expires: _______________________________ NOTARY SEAL

Note: THIS FORM MUST BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED WITH YOUR SUBMITTAL

TRADE SECRET STATUS AFFIDAVIT

Augusta, Georgia

All documents, data, letters and generated information received by Augusta, Georgia constitutes a “public record” and is subject to disclosure under the Georgia Open Records Act ("GORA"). O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq. However, pursuant to

O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72(a)(34), "[an] entity submitting records containing trade secrets that wishes to keep such records confidential under this paragraph shall submit and attach to the records an affidavit affirmatively declaring that specific information in the records constitute trade secrets pursuant to Article 27 of Chapter 1 of Title 10 [O.C.G.A. § 10-1-760 et seq.].

O.C.G.A. § 10-1-761(4) defines “Trade secret" as “…information, without regard to form, including, but not limited to, technical or nontechnical data, a formula, a pattern, a compilation, a program, a device, a method, a technique, a drawing, a process, financial data, financial plans, product plans, or a list of actual or potential customers or suppliers which is not commonly known by or available to the public and which information:

A. Derives economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use; and

B. Is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy.”

Therefore, the records listed below and attached hereto, that were submitted with

_______________________response to Augusta, Georgia Request for Proposal, Request for Quote, or Request for

Qualified Contractor ______________are marked confidential pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 10-1-761(4):

• (List specific information that the supplier wishes to withhold and how that information constitutes a trade secret)

• Additional trade secret information requested to be withheld

• Your company is requested to send a redacted copy of your submittal.

Under penalty of perjury, acknowledging that O.C.G.A. §16-10-71 provides a penalty of a fine of up to $1,000 and potential imprisonment of one to five years, I attest that the specific information in the records listed above constitutes trade secrets pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 10-1-761(4), and request that Augusta, Georgia not disclose this protected information under the

Georgia Open Records Act ("GORA").

Signature:

[Signatory Name in Print] [Signatory’s Title] [Company Name]

_______________________________ Date: ______________________________________

[Signatory’s Title]

Subscribed and sworn before me on this _______ day of ____________________________, 20_______

Notary Public

My Commission Expires: ___________________________________ NOTARY SEAL

RETURN FORM ONLY IF APPLICABLE.

EXCEPTION SHEET

If the commodity (ies) and/or services proposed in the response to this bid is in anyway different from that contained in this bid, the bidder is responsible to clearly identify by specification section number, all such differences in the space provided below. Otherwise, it will be assumed that bidder(s) offer is in total compliance with all aspects of the bid.

Below are the exceptions to the stated specifications:

Signature

Date

Company

Title

Return with submittal if the commodity and/or services proposed in the response to this bid are in any way different from that contained in the specifications.

Local Vendor Registration Form

(a) Augusta, Georgia encourages the use of local suppliers of goods, services and construction products whenever possible.

Augusta, Georgia also vigorously supports the advantages of an open competitive marketplace. Nothing in this Section shall be interpreted to mean that Augusta, Georgia Administrator or Procurement Director are restricted in any way from seeking formal bids or proposals from outside the Augusta market area.

(b) The Local Vendor Preference policy shall only be applied to projects of one-hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) or less and only when the lowest local qualified bidder is within 10% or $10,000, whichever is less of the lowest non-local bidders. The lowest local qualified bidder will be allowed to match the bid of the lowest non-local bidder and, if matched, the lowest local qualified bidder will be awarded the contract.

Please Check Criteria (Subparagraph “e” of the AUGUSTA, GA.

CODE)

Yes ____No_____

1. Has had a fixed office or distribution point in and having a street address within the geographic limits of Richmond County, Georgia for at least six (6) months immediately prior to the issuance of the request for bids or quotes by Augusta; and

Yes ____No_____ 2. Holds any business license required by the AUGUSTA, GA. CODE; and

Yes ____No_____ 3. Employs at least one full-time employee, or two part-time employees whose primary residence is within the geographic limits of Richmond County, Georgia or if the business has no employees, the business shall be at least fifty percent (50%) owned by one or more persons whose primary residence is within the geographic limits of Richmond County, Georgia.

(c) Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to mean that the Augusta, Georgia Administrator or Commission may decline to follow the provisions of O.C.G.A. §§ 36-91-1 through 36-91-95, Public Works Contracts. O.C.G.A. § 36-91-22 requires that all

Augusta, Georgia public works contracts of one-hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) or more, as defined therein, be publicly advertised before letting out the contract to the lowest bidder. Further, nothing in this section shall be interpreted to mean Augusta, Georgia Administrator or Board of Commissioners may decline to follow the provisions of the AUGUSTA, GA. CODE requiring public advertising before letting certain contracts.

Term. The certification as a local bidder shall expire two (2) years from the date of the approval of the application. Following the expiration date, a business is no longer a local bidder. An eligible bidder must submit a new application for certification as a local bidder to the Procurement Director and establish that it continues to meet the requirements contained in subparagraph

(e) (See Criteria above) of this section in order to receive a bid preference on eligible local projects. Please review the Augusta

Code in its entirety at www.augustaga.gov.

Company

Name_________________________________________

Address:_______________________________________

City:____________________ State:______

Zip:______________________________________

Phone # __________________Fax #:

Owner’s Name:

Owner’s Signature:

Sworn to and subscribed before me this ______ day of

_______________, 20___

Notary

Signature____________________________________________________

Notary Public: ___________________________________________ (Print

Name)

County: _______________________________________

State:_______________

Commission Expires: _____________________________

NOTARY SEAL

VIN: ________________________

Expiration Date: _______________________

(For Internal Use Only) http://www.augustaga.gov/

Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise Program Ordinance Requirements Notice To All Bidders (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY)

Shall apply to ALL Bids regardless of the dollar amount

In accordance with the Commission Action on 7/25/24 and the adoption of Ordinance No. 7945 Chapter 10C of the AUGUSTA, GA, CODE, Contractors agree to collect and maintain all records necessary to Augusta, Georgia to evaluate the effectiveness of its Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise Program and to make such records available to Augusta, Georgia upon request. The requirements of the Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise Program can be found at www.augustaga.gov. In accordance with AUGUSTA, GA. CODE, Contractors shall report to Augusta, Georgia the total dollars paid to each subcontractor, vendor, or other business on each contract, and shall provide such payment affidavits, regarding payment to subcontractors, if any as required by Augusta, Georgia. Such utilization reports shall be in the format specified by the Director of Compliance and shall be submitted at such times as required by Augusta, Georgia. Required forms can be found at www.augustaga.gov. If you need assistance completing a form or filing information, please contact the M/WBE

Program office at (706) 821-2406. Failure to provide such reports withing the time period specified by Augusta, Georgia shall entitle Augusta, Georgia to exercise any of the remedies set forth, including, but not limited to, withholding payment from the

Contractor and/or collecting liquidated damages.

SHALL APPLY TO PROJECTS IN EXCESS OF $300,000

Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise Program (Continued)

Sec. 1-10-138. Race and Gender-Conscious Efforts Contract-by-Contract Subcontractor Goals The City, through the Goal Setting Committee (GSC), will set specific, separate percentage-based MBE and WBE subcontracting goals on a contract-by contract basis for Prime contracts in Construction, Architecture & Engineering, Professional Services, and Other Services valued in excess of $300,000. The City shall establish such goals based upon the type of contract, the type of subcontracting work that will be required, and the availability of M/WBE firms to perform the work for that specific contract.

The GSC shall not establish subcontracting goals on contracts where (a) there are no subcontracting opportunities identified for the contract; or (b) there are not at least three (3) MBE and/or WBE firms that are available and capable to perform a CUF for the overall subcontracting opportunities on the contract.

Good Faith Efforts (GFE) Requirements and Guidance

1. Achievement of subcontracting goals or documentation of Good Faith Efforts applies to every Contract for which such goals are established. The Bidder shall submit a compliance plan detailing its achievement of the goals or its Good Faith Efforts to meet the goals. The compliance plan shall be due at the time set out in the solicitation documents.

2. When a Bidder cannot achieve the goals, its compliance plan shall document its GFE to achieve the goals.

The Director of Compliance will determine whether the Bidder has made such GFE.

Bid Documents

All bid documents shall require bidders or proponents to submit with their bid the following written documents, statements, or forms, which shall be made available by the Procurement Department.

• Proposed Letter of Intent MBE/WBE.

• Proposed MBE/WBE Utilization Plan.

• Documentation of Good Faith Efforts Form (in the event the bidder will not meet the MBE and WBE goals).

Failure to submit the above documentation shall result in the bid being declared non-responsive.

Sec. 1-10-154.Exceptions

In accordance with § 1-10-8, on federally funded projects or contracts, the M/WBE Program shall only be utilized when authorized by the applicable federal (and/or Georgia) laws, regulations, and conditions relating to that project or contract. To the extent that there are any conflicts between any such laws, regulations, or conditions and the provisions of the M/WBE Program, the federal (and/or Georgia) guidance shall control.

NOTE: All forms should be submitted in a separate, sealed envelope, labeled M/WBE Forms, Company’s Name &

Bid number

For questions and or additional information, please contact:

Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Program

535 Telfair Street, Suite 530

Augusta, Georgia 30901

(706) 821-2406 mwbe@augustaga.gov

Website: https://www.augustaga.gov/83/Disadvantaged-Business-Enterprise mailto:mwbe@augustaga.gov https://www.augustaga.gov/83/Disadvantaged-Business-Enterprise

SECTION I

INFORMATION FOR BIDDERS

Augusta is seeking to secure a vendor to provide Landscaping for Water Treatment Plants.

Your submittal should respond to, and be based on, the information included in this

Invitation to Bid.

Bids will be received by the Augusta Commission, (hereinafter called the "Owner"), at the office of the Procurement Director, 535 Telfair Street, Suite 605, Augusta, GA until Friday, June 5, 2026 @ 11:00 a.m., and then, at said office, publicly opened and read aloud. Your bid must be submitted in a sealed package and labeled with vendor’s name and the name of the project for "Bid Item #26-209 Landscaping for Water Treatment Plants” for Augusta, GA. You are required to submit one (1) marked unbound original and one (1) electronic copy of your bid.

The opening will be held publicly. Opening can be viewed via TEAMS Meeting ID:

Teams: Meeting ID: 230 943 294 346 10; Passcode: Qa2Kk3k9.

If the bid is forwarded by mail, or other second party delivery service, the sealed envelope containing the bid must be enclosed in another envelope addressed to:

Andy Penick, Procurement Director

Augusta Procurement Department

535 Telfair Street – Suite 605

Augusta, Georgia 30901

Bid Packages may be obtained at the Augusta Procurement Department, at the address listed above. All submittals must be received during our normal office hours from 8:30 a.m.

to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The Bid Package contains provisions required for the specifications. All firms responding are cautioned to read this information carefully for understanding and request clarification from

Augusta on any questions pertaining to this request.

Optional site visit will be held on Thursday, May 21, 2026 @ 10:00 a.m. Please contact

Stephen Orton at (706) 836-7283 in advance if you are interested.

All questions must be submitted in writing by email to procbidandcontract@augustaga.gov to the office of the Procurement Department by Friday, May 22, 2026 @ 5:00 P.M. No bid will be accepted by email; all must be received by mail or hand delivered. All submittals must be received during our normal office hours from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through

Friday. No deliveries will be accepted prior to 8:30 a.m. or after 5:00 p.m., as the building is closed to the public and delivery services outside of these hours.

All bids must be made on the required Bid Form. All blank spaces for bid prices must be filled in with ink or typewritten, and the form must be fully completed and executed when submitted. Failure to provide all of the requested information may cause the bid to be rejected as non-responsive. An official authorized to bind the firm to the terms and provisions of the bid must sign the bid form.

All interested firms are required to meet Federal, State and Local laws and regulations.

The Owner may waive any informalities or minor defects or reject any and all bids. Any bid may be withdrawn prior to the above scheduled time for the opening of bids or authorized postponement thereof. Any bid received after the time and date specified shall not be considered.

No bids may be withdrawn for a period of ninety (90) days after bids have been opened, pending the execution of contract with the successful bidder. Should there be reasons why the Contract cannot be awarded within the specified period; the time may be extended by mutual agreement between the Owner and the bidder.

After bids have been submitted, the bidder shall not assert that there was a misunderstanding concerning the nature of the work to be done.

The party to whom the contract is awarded will be issued a Notice of Award. Should there be reasons why the Notice to Award cannot be issued the time may be extended by mutual agreement between the Owner and the Contractor.

The Owner may make such investigations as he deems necessary to determine the ability of the bidder to perform the work and the bidder shall furnish to the Owner all such information and data for this purpose as the Owner may request. The Owner reserves the right to reject any bid if the evidence submitted by or investigation of such bidder fails to satisfy the Owner that such bidder is properly qualified to carry out the obligations of the Agreement and complete the work contemplated therein.

A conditional bid will not be accepted. Award will be made as a whole to one bidder.

The Owner reserves the right to consider bids or modification thereof received at any time before the award is made if such action is in the interest of the Owner.

Each bidder is responsible for reading and being thoroughly familiar with the specifications.

The failure or omission of any bidder to do any of the foregoing shall in no way relieve any bidder from any obligation in respect to his bid.

The Owner will not be liable for any costs incurred by any firm prior to receiving the Notice of

Award.

SECTION II

GENERAL INFORMATION

GENERAL INFORMATION/SPECIFICATIONS:

Outline of Monthly Services:

1. The specification outlines the Lawn Maintenance components for the Augusta-

Richmond County Highland Ave Water Treatment Plant and the North Max Hicks Water

Treatment Plant for Augusta, Georgia, Utilities Department. The contractor shall furnish all labor, tools, materials, and equipment necessary to efficiently provide the lawn maintenance services for the location specified within this document. The estimated start date is July 1, 2026.

TERMS: The terms of this bid is for one (1) year with four (4) one (1) year renewal options.

Prices must remain the same as submitted in the bid.

2. Bid prices to be effective for time of term provided vendor continues to perform within these specifications.

3. If additional information is needed, please contact Jamye Mortley @ 706-821-2422. All questions must be submitted in writing by email to procbidandcontract@augustaga.gov to the office of the Procurement Department by Friday, May 22, 2026 @ 5:00 P.M. No bid will be accepted by email; all must be received by mail or hand delivered. Please contact Stephen Orton at (706) 836-7283 for an optional site visit which is scheduled for

Thursday, May 21, 2026.

4. No substitutes will be accepted where no sub is listed.

5. Bid award will be made to the lowest most responsive bid meeting specifications on each of the two (2) locations. Vendors will be allowed to bid on both locations or individual locations. A vendor may be awarded more than one location. Individual locations will not be split between vendors. One vendor will receive the award for all areas included in the individual location.

6. Each location is comprised of areas. See Attachments II and III for an aerial view of the individual areas at each location. Each location will be awarded to an individual vendor. The Highland Avenue Plant is comprised of five (5) areas, and the Hicks Plant is comprised of four (4) areas. Vendors submitting bids on individual locations are required to bid on all areas of the individual locations.

7. Augusta reserves the right to reject any and/or all bids, or any part thereof.

SECTION III

SCOPE OF SERVICES

Augusta-Richmond County is soliciting proposals to provide landscape maintenance at the

Augusta-Richmond County Highland Ave Water Treatment Plant and The North Max Hicks Water

Treatment Plant Facility. Please see requirements and detailed description of work below and the maps attached show the areas that must be bided on and all areas must be bided but

Augusta Utilities has the option to do all the areas or less of the areas.

• Highland Avenue Water Treatment Plant 2835 Central Ave, Augusta, GA 30909

• The North Max Hicks Water Treatment Plant 1731 Tobacco Rd, Augusta, GA 30906

Please see requirements and detailed description of work below along with sample outline of monthly services (Attachment I):

• The successful Contractor shall be required to provide the minimum Landscape maintenance services outlined in the Landscape Services Requires Schedule included below, which shall be subject for review.

• The successful Contractor shall be required to furnish all equipment, machinery, transportation and implements necessary to execute this Contract.

• The mulch/pine straw must be provided by the contractor twice a year. A minimum of three (3) inches of straw shall be maintained at all times. Cost of materials and services are to be included in the monthly prices.

• The cost and labor of any and all pre or post emergent herbicides, fertilizer, lime, fungicide and insect control necessary is to be provided by the vendor and cost of supplies must be included in the monthly prices.

Landscape Services Required Schedule

The following outlines the minimum requirements of the specifications as outlined in the seasonal landscape requirements (Attachment I). Vendors proposed schedule is to include but not limited to the following:

LAWNS

Lawns shall be mowed 2x a month during the months of March through November. They will be vacuumed 2x a month during the months of December through February. Lawns will be aerated and over-seeded in November. Prior to mowing, trash, paper and other debris will be removed. Raking of the lawns is to be done after each mowing, or as needed, and where needed to present a neat appearance, and to prevent the buildup of thatch. At no time shall more than 1/3 of the leaf blade be removed during mowing.

EDGING

All grassed areas, including edges of walks, curbs, buildings, and planting beds shall be edged every two weeks, or as deemed necessary by Augusta Utilities. Edging shall include backs of grassed areas as well as those areas adjacent to the curb. Chemicals are not to be used to edge grass. Utilizing edgers must not cause any damage to vehicles or other objects or property.

CLEANING/TRASH

Grass clippings and all other debris resulting from the services provided by the Contractor will be removed from lawns, sidewalks, parking lots, and streets immediately upon completion of work or as deemed necessary by Augusta Utilities. The Contractor shall pick up and dispose of all clippings and litter per visit and dispose of in area on-site.

CHEMICAL PROGRAM

The Contractor shall furnish one (1) fertilizer application to trees and shrub beds during the month of March and September each year. The cost of the fertilizer and labor is included in the agreement. The Contractor agrees to provide, in the cost of this agreement.

The Contractor willy apply herbicide (1) once a quarter to all flower beds, mulch areas. The only chemical allowed for this will be AquaNeat; any other chemicals are forbidden.

Documentation provided to Augusta Utilities shall be required and must be approved for application of any and all chemicals, specifying the date of application, type of chemical and application rate.

The contractor shall provide weed control with pre-emergent for turf and shrub beds and post emergent.

The Contractor shall also, use care to prevent injury to landscape plants, turf plants and turf and for treatment of problems such as insect infestations and disease, include pesticide applications on an “as needed” basis.

Vendors are required to supply a copy of their or the subcontractor’s Georgia commercial license for pesticide/herbicide application with your bid submittal.

A current license is required to be provided to the Augusta Utilities Department for application of any and all chemicals specifying the date of application, type of chemical and application rate prior to the application of said pesticide/herbicide. Requested information is to be provide to the management of each location prior to application.

PRUNING

Plants shall be shaped to enhance and preserve their natural appearance. Shearing is not acceptable. Major pruning is to be accomplished in the months of December through

February in order to maintain proper growth during the months of March through November.

Light pruning is to be done, as required, in order to maintain proper growth during the months of March through November. The Contractor agrees to prune winter kill branches from shrubs and ground cover as soon as it is evident the plant will not recover. Augusta Solid

Waste anticipates all dead wood pruning to be completed no later than May 15th of each year.

MULCH/PINE STRAW

Pine straw shall be provided by the Contractor two (2) times a year. Once at the end of

March for the Masters Golf Tournament and the second in the month of September, a minimum of three (3) inches of mulch shall be maintained at all times. Mulch shall be clean and free of excess branches, litter, and weeds.

NATURAL AREAS

Natural areas shall only receive the maintenance required to keep clean of trash at each visit.

INSPECTION

It is understood within this bid that any problems such as disease, insect infestations, or unusual weather conditions, etc. shall be discussed with Augusta Utilities Department. A landscape maintenance foreman shall check with management each day while providing services included in this agreement. This will also enable the foreman to discuss work orders and any other concerns either party might have. Periodic inspections will be scheduled with the foreman as deemed necessary by Augusta Utilities Department.

IRRIGATION SYSTEM

Contractor is to coordinate irrigation schedule with Augusta Utilities on a regular basis, taking into consideration seasonal demands, watering restrictions and off-season deactivation.

Contractor shall winterize (de-activate) irrigation system prior to the average first frost date in the Fall of the year.

Contractor shall energize the irrigation system after the average last frost date in the Spring of the year. Contractor is to advise Management of any and all leaks, cracks, damage to controllers and or heads and any other impairment to the system as soon as the problem is discovered and isolate those failures by turning off that zone of the system. At that point, Contractor will provide a quote for repair of the failure before repairing. These quotes will be presented to Augusta Utilities. Any repairs caused by contractor’s neglect to be remedied at no cost to Augusta Utilities

SPECIAL PROVISIONS

1. Fire ants in lawn and shrub bed areas shall be treated as they appear (with chemicals approved by Augusta Utilities Department). Fire ant chemical application will be approved on an as needed basis at a negotiated price. Prior approval is required from the Utilities Department before application.

2. Vegetation growing in asphalt or concrete cracks shall be monitored during each visit and treated as it appears.

3. All workers must be dressed appropriately to include the wearing of shirts and shoes while on the premises.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. Mowing, trimming, edging – should be done as outlined above or when deemed necessary by Augusta Utilities Department.

2. Trash – per visit.

3. De-thatching – when thatch exceeds ½” - ¾” in depth in warm season grasses.

4. Fertilization – Twice a year, once in March and once in September.

5. Lime – only as needed.

6. Weeding –each visit.

7. Aeration/Over seeding – should be done as outlined above or when deemed necessary by Augusta Utilities.

8. Pine straw – Once in March and once in September.

9. All clippings, pruned branches, and sucker growth on trees shall be disposed of in the proper area on-site.

LICENSE AND PERMITS

Vendor is required to have and maintain a valid Commercial Pesticide Applicators License, as well as a valid Commercial Pesticide Business License; both of which must remain valid throughout the duration of this contract. All vendors must submit copies of these Licenses as part of their bid packages. It shall be the responsibility of the successful bidder to obtain all licenses and permits, including license for pesticide/herbicide application to perform this service at no additional cost to Augusta, Georgia. Proof of licenses and permits are to be supplied to the Utilities Department prior to pesticide/herbicide application.

FIRM’S TASKS

1. Contractor shall furnish all materials, equipment, machinery, transportation and other implements and materials necessary to execute this bid. Equipment that damages turf or sidewalks shall not be allowed. The Contractor shall be responsible for all equipment maintenance, repair and expendables including but not limited to fuel, oil, and tires. No

City equipment will be loaned or otherwise leased or rented to the Contractor. A sufficient supply of back up equipment must be kept on hand to ensure timely and continuous fulfillment of this Contract. No relief in responsibility for work performance will be granted in the event of broken-down equipment. Landscape services shall be provided as outlined in Landscape Services Required Schedule.

2. Contractor shall emphasize and enforce common safety standards for mowing, applying chemicals and using ground maintenance equipment. Employees should wear necessary safety equipment at all times and use extreme care when applying chemicals. Contractor shall maintain documentation that all employees have been trained in appropriate safety measures to ensure contractor employees are performing their work in a safe manner.

3. Contractor shall provide sufficient onsite supervisory personnel to ensure proper inspection of work performed, close supervision, and technical assistance to the work force. The term “on-site supervision” will be a person designated to be at the work site, and act as the selected Contractor’s point of contact for Augusta Utilities Department.

4. Contractor shall be responsible for all damages or personal injury resulting from its operations. This includes, but is not limited to, damage to plants, and turf as well as buildings and structures. Damages and any personal injury will be reported immediately to Augusta Utilities Department.

5. Contractor shall return to work site after being notified of any deficient conditions within

48 hours. If two callbacks occur during a one-month period or if a total of five such callbacks occur during the contract period, the Procurement Department will be notified, and corrective action will be taken up to and including cancellation of bid award. Augusta Utilities Department shall have the right to declare the Contractor nonperforming and shall have the right to terminate the contract without penalty.

6. If the service provider fails to comply with the specifications or fails to render service satisfactory to the owner, the owner may cancel this agreement with no further obligation to the service…