26-8620_-_Authorization_to_Advertise.pdf

This is an Authorization to Advertise document issued by Collier County Board of County Commissioners Procurement Services Division on behalf of the Road and Stormwater Maintenance Division for Invitation to Bid 26-8620, Large Machine Mowing Services. The solicitation seeks qualified contractors to provide large machine mowing services throughout Collier County, Florida, encompassing contractual mowing operations in roadway medians, side rights-of-way, retention ponds, pond sites, swales, canals, and other county-maintained properties on both bi-monthly and 30-day rural cycles. All mowing unit prices must be provided on a per-acre basis and include labor, equipment, materials, supervision, fuel, weed removal, edging, trimming, blowing, litter and debris removal, slope mowing as applicable, and required traffic control measures. The solicitation was authorized for advertisement on March 6, 2026, with bids due electronically through the County's bidding platform by April 6, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. The contract term is established as three years with two one-year renewal options.

Qualified bidders must possess valid Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) or Temporary Traffic Control (TTC) Intermediate Level Certification and, if using herbicides, a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator License. Contractors must be enrolled in E-Verify, maintain proper Florida business licensing, and comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws including OSHA standards. Comprehensive insurance requirements include Worker's Compensation at statutory limits, Commercial General Liability with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, and Employer's Liability coverage with Collier County named as additional insured. For projects potentially exceeding $200,000, a bid bond equal to 5% of the cost proposal is required, with Performance and Payment Bonds for 100% of the contract award amount required upon award. Historical spending data indicates annual expenditures of approximately $252,133.64 in FY 2022, $239,286.10 in FY 2023, $262,794.45 in FY 2024, and $351,391.07 in FY 2025, though the County notes these figures may not be indicative of future purchasing patterns. The procurement does not include set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, though vendors may certify local business status if they maintain a physical business address within Collier County limits and possess a current local Business Tax Receipt.