4524 Supply and Planting of Trees and Shrubs at Various Locations FINAL.pdf

CITY OF NORWALK

PURCHASING DEPARTMENT

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SEALED RFPS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE OFFICE OF THE PURCHASING AGENT, 125 EAST AVENUE NORWALK, CT 06851

BY THE DATE AND TIME OF RFP OPENING

PROJECT NUMBER: 4524

REQUESTING DEPARTMENT: DPW

DATE OF RFP ISSUANCE: 07/15/2026

TITLE OF RFP: Supply and Planting of Trees and Shrubs at Various Locations

RFI/QUESTION DEADLINE: 2:00PM 07/23/2026

ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 2:00PM 08/04/2026

HARD COPY SUBMISSION DEADLINE: N/A

MANDATORY WALKTHROUGH:

DATE, TIME, AND LOCATION OF WALKTHROUGH

YES ( ) NO (X )

N/A

TIME/DATE OF RFP OPENING: 2:00 PM 08/04/2026

RFP DEPOSIT REQUIRED:

IF YES, AMOUNT REQUIRED

YES ( ) NO (X )

SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS ONLY:

PERFORMANCE & PAYMENT BOND REQUIRED:

IF YES, AMOUNT REQUIRED

YES ( ) NO (X )

SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS ONLY:

MAINTENANCE BOND REQUIRED:

YES ( ) NO ( X)

ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS, SPECIFICATIONS AND BID FORMS ARE ATTACHED HERETO.

NOTE: THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS WILL BE REQUIRED FOR A BID TO BE COMPLIANT

1. BIDDER’S INFORMATION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM

2. RFP FORMS, INCLUDING PRICING SHEETS AND ADDENDA ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORMS

3. EXCEPTIONS (IF ANY)

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NOTICE TO BIDDERS

1. ALL RFPS WILL BE OPENED PROMPTLY AT THE ADVERTISED TIME OF OPENING. THERE WILL BE NO DELAYS OR POSTPONEMENTS WHICH ARE NOT PUBLICLY ADVERTISED. ANY RFP RECEIVED AFTER THE ADVERTISED TIME

OF OPENING WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

2. OBLIGATION OF BIDDERS:

a. AT THE TIME OF OPENING RFPS, EACH BIDDER SHALL BE PRESUMED TO HAVE INSPECTED THE SITES

AND TO HAVE MADE THEMSELVES THOROUGHLY FAMILIAR WITH THE PLANS AND CONTRACT

DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING ALL ADDENDA. THE FAILURE OR OMISSION OF ANY BIDDER TO RECEIVE OR

EXAMINE ANY FORM, INSTRUMENT OR DOCUMENT SHALL IN NO WAY RELIEVE ANY BIDDER FROM

ANY OBLIGATION IN RESPECT TO THEIR RFP.

b. EACH BIDDER MUST FULLY INFORM THEMSELVES OF THE CONDITONS RELATING TO THE WORK WHICH WILL BE PERFORMED. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL NOT RELIEVE THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER OF

THEIR OBLIGATION TO FURNISH ALL LABOR AND MATERIALS NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE

PROVISIONS OF THE CONTRACT DOCUMENTS AND TO COMPLETE THE CONTEMPLATED WORK. IN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, THE CONTRACTOR MUST, IN CARRYING OUT THEIR WORK, EMPLOY SUCH MEANS AND METHODS AS WILL NOT CAUSE ANY INTERRUPTIONS OR INTERFERENCE WITH THE WORK OF ANY

OTHER CONTRACTOR.

3. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE (IF APPLICABLE):

a. IF THE PROJECT IS NOT COMPLETED BY THE DATE SPECIFIED AS THE SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION DATE IN THE CONTRACT ENTERED INTO BY THE CITY AND THE CONTRACTOR, THE CONTRACTOR WILL BE

SUBJECT TO CONSEQUENTIAL AND/OR LIQUIDATED DAMAGES.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

1. INTRODUCTION

The City of Norwalk is requesting proposals for the supply and planting of trees and shrubs at various locations throughout the City. The requirements of this project are outlined in greater detail under Section 2 Scope of Work/Project Specifications.

2. RFP DOCUMENTS

All RFP documents for this invitation are available over the internet at http://www.norwalkct.gov. Adobe Acrobat reader is required to view this document. If you do not have this software you may download it for free from Adobe.

3. ADDENDA

All addenda, if issued will be available over the internet at http://www.norwalkct.gov. We strongly suggest that you check for any addenda a minimum of forty-eight hours in advance of the RFP deadline. It is the responsibility of the bidder to check for issuance of any addenda.

4. BIDDER’S LIST

Bidder’s list for this solicitation will not be published.

5. QUESTIONS CONCERNING THIS RFP

All questions concerning this solicitation must be directed, via e-mail, to Carleen Megaro, Buyer at cmegaro@norwalkct.gov. Please include the Project Number and Project Title in the subject line. The deadline for the submission of questions is 2:00 pm, July 23, 2026.

6. SUBMISSION OF RFP

The City of Norwalk requires electronic sealed submission for this project in the City of Norwalk’s BONFIRE portal (https://norwalkct.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities)

All sealed electronic submissions must be submitted in Bonfire no later than August 4, 2026, at 2:00PM.

7. SUMMARIES

A list of the proposing firms will be available any time after 5:00 pm on the day of the RFP opening at Purchasing-Bid Postings. RFP results will not be provided over the phone.

Page 3 of 73, 4524 Supply and Planting of Trees and Shrubs at Various Locations - FINAL http://www.norwalkct.gov/ http://www.norwalkct.gov/ mailto:cmegaro@norwalkct.gov https://norwalkct.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities https://www.norwalkct.gov/Bids.aspx?CatID=showStatus&txtSort=Date&showAllBids=on&Status=open

SPECIAL NOTES:

1. Public Opening: Per the City of Norwalk Purchasing Guidelines, Bids shall be opened publicly by the Purchasing

Agent or his designee, in the presence of one or more witnesses at the time and place designated in the Invitation for Bids. Receipt of Proposals: Proposals shall be opened so as to avoid disclosure of contents to competing proposers during the process of negotiation. A Register of Proposals shall be prepared in accordance with these Procurement Guidelines and shall be open for public inspection after contract award. If you wish to hear the bid/RFP opening, please join us through a teleconference.

Access Number: (866) 640-4044 or (678) 302-3554

Participant Code: 968 704

Page 4 of 73, 4524 Supply and Planting of Trees and Shrubs at Various Locations - FINAL https://www.norwalkct.gov/DocumentCenter/View/334/City-Procurement-Guidelines?bidId=

SECTION 1 – RESPONSE FORMS

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PROPOSER’S INFORMATION AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM

Proposer’s Name

Street Address

City State Zip

Business Telephone:

Email Address:

Printed Name and Title of Individual Submitting Proposal

The undersigned acknowledges that the terms, conditions and specifications of this RFP are understood and unconditionally accepted.

Signature Date

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Exceptions: Note any vendor(s) responding to this proposal shall indicate any/all exceptions (if any) taken to language in this proposal. BIDDERS MAY NOT TAKE EXCEPTION TO SUBSTANTIVE TERMS OF STANDARD CONTRACT FORMS PROVIDED IN THE RFP/RFQ/ITB. Exceptions must be declared below in order to be considered by the City:

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1.1 PROPOSAL RESPONSE FORM

Vendor Name -

Address -

Phone -

Fax -

Email -

Manager -

Fed ID#

The undersigned hereby declares that they have carefully examined the plans, specifications and project sites and has satisfied themselves as to all the quantities and conditions and understands that in signing this proposal they waives all right to plead any misunderstanding regarding the same.

The undersigned further understands and agrees that they will furnish and provide all the necessary material, machinery, implements, tools, labor, services, and other items of whatever nature, and to do and perform all the work necessary under the aforesaid conditions, to carry out the contract and to accept in full compensation therefore the amount of the contract as agreed to by the Contractor and the City.

It is further understood and agreed that all information included in, attached to, or required by the Request for Proposal shall be public record upon delivery to the City.

A. PROPOSED FEES

SUPPLY AND PLANTING OF TREES AND SHRUBS AT

VARIOUS LOCATIONS

BASE PERIOD

October 2026 – October 2029

1. Total - Trees (supply & planting with two

(2) year guarantee) (Sum of Unit Prices #1)

2. Total - Shrubs (supply & planting with two (2) year guarantee) (Sum of Unit Prices #2)

SUBTOTALS

3. Price for planting a donated tree (planting and maintaining only - no supplying or guarantee)

4. GRAND TOTALS (1-3)

GRAND TOTALS (1-3) WRITTEN IN WORDS

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B. UNIT PRICING – SUPPLY AND PLANTING OF TREES AND SHRUBS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS

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UNIT PRICE

Genus/Species Common Name Size Base Period

Acer rubrum Red Maple 2.5" - 3" cal. $

Acer saccharum Sugar Maple 2.5" - 3" cal. $

Amelanchier x grandiflora (single-stem) Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry (single-stem) 1.5" - 2" cal. $

Betula nigra River Birch 2" - 2.5" cal. $

Carpinus betulus 'Fastigiata' Fastigiate European Hornbeam (columnar) 2.5" - 3" cal. $

Carpinus caroliniana American Hornbeam 2.5" - 3" cal. $

Celtis occidentalis (single-stem) Common Hackberry (single-stem) 2.5" - 3" cal. $

Cercis canadensis Eastern Redbud (pink) 2.5" - 3" cal. $

Cornus alternifolia Alternate-Leaf Dogwood 1.5" - 2" cal. $

Cornus kousa Kousa Dogwood 2" - 2.5" cal. $

Cornus x Rutcan 'Constellation' Constellation Flowering Dogwood (white) 2" - 2.5" cal. $

Crataegus crus-galli var. inermis Thornless Cock-Spur Hawthorn 2" - 2.5" cal. $

Crataegus viridis 'Winter King' Winter King Green Hawthorn 2" - 2.5" cal. $

Ginkgo biloba 'Princeton Sentry' Princeton Sentry Ginkgo 2.5" - 3" cal. $

Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis Thornless Common Honeylocust 2.5" - 3" cal. $

Ilex x 'Nellie R. Stevens' Nellie Stevens Holly 7' - 8' ht. $

Juniperus virginiana Eastern Red Cedar 7' - 8' ht. $

#1- TREES

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#1- TREES

Larix laricina American Larch 8' - 10' ht. $

Liquidambar styraciflua American Sweetgum 2.5" - 3" cal. $

Liquidambar styraciflua 'Slender Silhouette' Slender Silhouette American Sweetgum 2.5" - 3" cal. $

Liriodendron tulipifera Tuliptree 2.5" - 3" cal. $

Magnolia x Soulangiana Saucer Magnolia 2.5" - 3" cal. $

Malus 'Donald Wyman' Donald Wyman Crabapple 2" - 2.5" cal. $

Malus 'Adirondack' Adirondack Crabapple 2" - 2.5" cal. $

Nyssa sylvatica Black Tupelo 2.5" - 3" cal. $

Ostrya virginiana Eastern Hop-Hornbeam 2" - 2.5" cal. $

Picea abies Norway Spruce 7' - 8' ht. $

Picea glauca White Spruce 2" - 2.5" $

Pinus strobus Eastern White Pine 7' - 8' ht. $

Platanus occidentalis American Sycamore 2.5" - 3" cal. $

Platanus x acerifolia 'Bloodgood' Bloodgood London Planetree 2.5" - 3" cal. $

Prunus sargentii 'Columnaris' Columnar Sargent Cherry 2" - 2.5" cal. $

Prunus sargentii Sargent Cherry 2.5" - 3" cal. $

Prunus serrulata 'Kwanzan' Kwanzan Cherry 2" - 2.5" cal. $

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#1- TREES

Prunus 'Autumnalis' Higan Cherry 2" - 2.5" cal. $

Quercus bicolor Swamp White Oak 2.5" - 3" cal. $

Quercus coccinea Scarlet Oak 2.5" - 3" cal. $

Quercus palustris Pin Oak 2.5" - 3" cal. $

Quercus robur 'Fastigiata' Pyramidal English Oak 2.5" - 3" cal. $

Quercus rubra Red Oak 2.5" - 3" cal. $

Salix alba 'Niobe' Golden Weeping Willow 2.5" - 3" cal. $

Sophora japonica Japanese Pagodatree 2.5" - 3" cal. $

Syringa reticulata Japanese Tree Lilac 2.5" - 3" cal. $

Thuja occidentalis 'Green Giant' Green Giant Arborvitae 7' - 8' ht. $

Tilia americana American Linden 2.5" - 3" cal. $

Tilia americana 'Redmond' Redmond American Linden 2.5" - 3" cal. $

Tilia cordata 'Greenspire' Littleleaf Linden 'Greenspire' 2.5" - 3" cal. $

Zelkova serrata Japanese Zelkova 2.5" - 3" cal. $

Magnolia virginiana Sweetbay Magnolia 2"-2.5" cal. $

Ulmus parvifolia Lacebark Elm 2.5"-3" cal. $

Ulmus americana 'Princeton' American Elm 'Princeton' 2.5"-3" cal. $

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#1- TREES

Taxodium distichum Bald-cypress 2.5"-3" cal. $

Gymnocladus dioicus Kentucky Coffeetree 2"-2.5" cal. $

Maackia amurensis Amur Maackia 2"-2.5" cal. $

Koelreuteria paniculata Goldenrain Tree 2"-2.5" cal. $

Acer buergerianum Trident Maple 2.5-3" cal $

Cladrastis kentukea Yellowwood 2"-2.5" cal. $

Parrotia persica Persian Parrotia 2"-2.5" cal. $

Eucommia ulmoides Hardy Rubber Tree 2"-2.5" cal. $

$SUM OF UNIT PRICES (#1)

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Amelanchier canadensis Canadian Serviceberry 15 gal. $

Amelanchier laevis Smooth Shadbush 10 gal. $

Aesculus parviflora Bottlebrush Buckeye 15 gal. $

Aronia melanocarpa Black Chokeberry 10 gal. $

Clethra alnifolia Summersweet 10 gal. $

Cornus sericea Red Osier Dogwood 10 gal. $

Cornus racemosa Gray Dogwood 5 gal. $

Hamamelis virginiana American Witch-Hazel 15 gal. $

Ilex verticillata Winterberry 15 gal. $

Myrica pensylvanica Northern Bayberry 10 gal. $

Rhododendron spp. Rhododendron 15 gal. $

Viburnum dentatum Arrowwood Viburnum 10 gal. $

Viburnum lentago Nannyberry 10 gal. $

#2- SHRUBS

SUM OF UNIT PRICES(#2)

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C. CERTIFICATION

Submitted By: Signature:

Authorized Agent of Company (Name & Title):

Date:

D. The above signatory acknowledges receipt of the following addenda issued during the bidding period and understands that they are a part of the bidding documents (if applicable):

Addendum # Dated Addendum # Dated

Addendum #

Dated Addendum #

Dated

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1.2 STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS

Please answer the following questions regarding your company's past performance. Failure to reply to this instruction may be regarded as justification for rejecting a bid.

1. Number of years in business:

2. Number of personnel employed: Part Time Full Time

3. List six contracts of this type/size your firm has completed within the last four years:

Project Date Contact Person Phone No.

4. SUBCONTRACTORS: If subcontractors are to be used, please list firm name, address, name of principal, and phone number below or on a separate sheet. Also indicate portion or section of work subcontractor will be performing.

COMPANY NAME ADDRESS PRINCIPAL PHONE PORTION/SECTION

OF WORK

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5. ORGANIZATIONAL

STRUCTURE OF

BIDDER (check which applies) general partnership limited partnership limited liability corporation limited liability partnership corporation doing business under a trade name individual doing business under a trade name other (specify)

6. STATUS OF THE

BUSINESS AND ITS

CURRENT STANDING

WITH THE SECRETARY

OF STATE'S OFFICE; e.g., are all required filings current and in good standing or has the entity been withdrawn or canceled

Connecticut corporations - Will the Secretary of State be able to issue a Certificate of Good Standing within 30 days of the bid opening?

Yes No

Out-of -State corporations - Do you have a valid license to do business in the State of Connecticut? (Evidence in the form of a Certificate of Authority from the Connecticut Secretary of State will be required within 30 days of the bid opening.)

Yes No

7. CT eLICENSE (https://www.elicense.ct.gov ) / Business Registration (https://business.ct.gov/?language=en_US) :

8. Is your local organization an affiliate of a parent company? If so, Indicate the principal place of business of your company and the name of the agent for service if different from what has been indicated on the response form:

Business Name

Address

City. State & Zip

Name of Agent

Page 17 of 73, 4524 Supply and Planting of Trees and Shrubs at Various Locations - FINAL https://www.elicense.ct.gov/ https://business.ct.gov/?language=en_US

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NOTE: In the case of a Limited Liability Corporation or a Limited Liability Partnership a certified copy of the Articles of Organization certified as valid and in effect as of the date of the bid opening will be required within 30 days of the bid opening. A listing of the corporate officers, in the case of a corporation; the general or managing partners, in the case of a partnership; or the managers and members in the case of either a limited liability partnership or company will be required within 30 days of the bid opening.

9. Your company may be asked to submit the following information relative to your company's financial statements prior to receiving an award. This information will not be part of the public bidding record and will remain confidential.

All information should be supported with appropriate audited financials

a. Book Value (Total Assets (-) Total Liabilities)

b. Working Capital (Current Assets (-) Current Liabilities

c. Current Ratio (Current Assets/Current Liabilities)

d. Debt to Equity Ratio (Long Term Debt/Shareholder's Equity)

e. Return on Assets (Net Income/Total Assets)

f. Return on Equity (Net Income/Shareholder's Equity)

g. Return on Invested Capital (Net Income/Long Term Debt = Shareholders' Equity)

All responses to this questionnaire are understood to be proprietary to the vendor, and will be considered confidential.

Additional information may be requested subsequent to your responding to this bid request.

1.3 CITY OF NORWALK VENDOR RECORDS

If you have not done business with the City of Norwalk as a vendor, your business information needs updating or your City of Norwalk vendor record has not been updated over three (3) years. Please complete and include the latest version of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) W-9 Form with your submission. Here is the URL to the IRS website:

https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-9

1.4 INSURANCE

Insurance Agency Name: Tel:

Agency Address: Email:

Page 18 of 73, 4524 Supply and Planting of Trees and Shrubs at Various Locations - FINAL https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-9

1.5 CITY OF NORWALK VENDOR QUESTIONNAIRE – IT INFORMATION SECURITY

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City of Norwalk Vendor Questionnaire

IT Information Security

Rev 8.4.22

1. Third-Party Contact Information (please provide the POC for follow-up questions to this questionnaire):

Vendor Name, Address, Point-of-Contact Name, Phone Number and Email

2. Description of Services/Products: Please provide a detailed description of services/products your organization aims to provide to the City?

3. System and Equipment Access: Will your organization use your own systems and equipment to perform the services, or will your organization need access to the City’s systems, equipment and network? (Yes or

No, If Yes, please explain)

YES ☐ NO ☐

4. Description of Data: Are you using data from the City in order provide the services/product to the City

(Yes or No, if Yes proceed to 3.1)

a. What data is needed to provide the services/products to the City?

Example: Name, Social Security Number, Trade Information, Source Code, Payroll or Accounts Payable data, student or patient data, Law Enforcement data, any Personally Identifiable Information (PII), etc.

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If your answers to Questions 3 and 4 are BOTH “NO”, thank you for completing the IT

Information Security Questionnaire.

If one or both questions are “YES”, please complete the remaining questions.

5. Office Locations: How many office locations does your organization have? Please include the locations of your organization.

6. Data Center Locations: How many data centers does your organization utilize to provide services/products to the City? Please include the locations of the data centers utilized by your organization.

7. Business Entity: What is your business entity type?

*Example: Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, C Corporation, S Corporation, Limited Liability Corporation (LLC), Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)

8. How many employees and contingent workers do you have in your organization?

1-10 ☐ 10-50 ☐ 50-100 ☐ 100-500 ☐ 500-1000 ☐ 1000 or more ☐

9. Physical Access: Does your organization need to be onsite or offsite to provide services/products to the City?

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10. Access to Data: How is your organization accessing City data?

*Example: Is the data supposed to be sent to your organization via email or will the data need to be uploaded to an application?

*Note: For third-parties that are providing an application to perform the services, please specify whether the application will be an internally hosted solution, cloud-based solution (i.e. SaaS, IaaS, PaaS), or a traditional web-based application (i.e. eBay, WebEx, online banking application)

11. Data Storage: Does your organization outsource data storage or does your organization utilize its own databases to store data? Does your organization store data outside of the United States?

YES ☐ NO ☐

12. Segregation of Data: Does your organization’s database structure allow segregation of sensitive client data?

YES ☐ NO ☐

13. Independent Attestations: Does your organization have independent attestations such as (i.e. ISO 27001, SSAE-18 SOC-1, SOC-2, PCI- DSS, ISO 9001)?

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14. Information Security

a. Does your organization have written information security policies and procedures (WISP)?

b. How often are the information security policies and procedures reviewed and updated?

c. Who in the organization is responsible for reviewing and updating the information security policies and procedures?

d. Does your organization have privacy policies and procedures?

e. How often are the privacy policies and procedures updated?

f. Who in the organization is responsible for reviewing and updating the privacy policies and

g. What methods of encryption are utilized for data at rest and in transit?

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h. Are the encryption methods utilized FIPS 140-2 approved?

i. Does your organization utilize firewalls to filter incoming data and information from the internet into your company network?

j. Does your organization perform penetration testing at least once per year to determine if unauthorized access to the computer network and malicious activity is possible externally?

k. Does your organization perform vulnerability testing at least once per year in order to identify vulnerabilities within the internal network?

l. Does your organization perform background checks on employees and contingent workers prior to onboarding them? Describe the nature of these background checks (i.e., criminal, credit, international, etc.).

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m. Does your organization utilize multi-factor authentication?

n. Does your organization utilize scan cards or biometric scans to grant employees and contingent workers access to the building and data centers where data is stored?

o. If offering a technology product, does the organization utilize software development life cycle (SDLC) or

Agile to build and maintain technological product?

p. Does the technological product undergo information security testing and quality assurance testing prior to deployment?

q. Does the Vendor provide annual Cybersecurity Awareness training to their employee?

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r. Does the Vendor provide annual phishing simulations for their employee?

s. Have users been educated on how to report suspected security violations or vulnerabilities?

t. Does the Vendor have an employee identified as the Chief Information Security Officer?

u. Are all the Vendor laptops encrypted?

v. Are all Vendor computers (workstations, notebooks) required to join the Company’s domain and receive Group Policies?

w. Does the Vendor meet the NIST 800-63 password guidelines?

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15. Risk Management

a. Does your organization have an enterprise risk management framework implemented at your organization?

b. Does your organization have documented enterprise risk management policies and procedures?

c. Who in the organization is responsible for reviewing the enterprise risk management policies and

d. Does your organization utilize an outside third-party to provide services/products to the client?

e. Does your organization have a third-party risk management program (TPRM)?

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f. Does your organization include right-to audit clauses in contracts with third parties?

g. Does your organization have a certificate of insurance (COI)? Please attach a copy of your COI.

Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery

a. Does your organization have a business continuity plan?

b. How often is the business continuity plan updated?

c. Does your organization conduct business continuity tests once per year?

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d. Does your organization have a disaster recovery plan?

e. How often is the disaster recovery plan updated?

f. Does your organization conduct disaster recovery tests once per year?

g. Does your organization have business continuity and/or disaster recovery sites?

h. Are the business continuity/disaster recovery sites located in the United States or outside the

United States? Please include the locations of business continuity/disaster recovery sites?

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1.6 CONTRACTOR CERTIFICATION

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4926-4084-2073, v. 1

CONTRACTOR’S CERTIFICATION

As a material component of our bid, we hereby certify in good faith as follows:

1. If awarded a contract, we will, at all times, comply with all applicable federal, state, and local statutes, regulations, Executive Orders, ordinances, codes, Charters, and all other applicable laws, whether now in effect or made effective after our bid and during the term of our contract.

2. We expressly acknowledge that the City of Norwalk is receiving federal funds from the United States government for this project.

3. We are aware of and are in full compliance with all federal laws, including but in no way limited to Executive Order 14173.

4. We will, at all times during the term of this contract, remain fully compliant with all applicable laws, including laws and Executive Orders related to employment practices and contracting considerations.

5. We acknowledge and agree that it is our responsibility to stay current and informed as to any changes in applicable laws and to ensure our compliance with all applicable laws throughout the term of our contract.

6. We represent and warrant that we are in compliance in all respects with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws and acknowledge that our compliance is material to the Federal Government’s payment decisions for purposes of section 3729(b)(4) of Title 31, U.S.C.

7. We represent and warrant that we do not operate any programs promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (“DEI”) that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws.

8. We acknowledge that this certification is being relied upon by the City of Norwalk, in good faith, and that this certification is an inducement to the City of Norwalk to accept our bid.

We further certify that we have consulted with counsel and make this certification voluntarily, with the express intention that the City of Norwalk rely upon same.

Bidder Name: (Printed or Typed):___________________________________

Authorized Representative Name and Title:___________________________

Authorized Representative Signature and Date:________________________

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

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4926-4084-2073, v. 1

State of _______________________ )

) ss:_____________

County of _____________________ )

On this ____day of 202_, before me, __________, the undersigned officer, personally appeared _______________, who acknowledged himself/herself to be the ______________(the Officer”) of ____________________ (the “Company”), being authorized so to do, executed the foregoing instrument for the purposes therein contained, by signing the name of the corporation by himself/herself as Officer, as his/her free act and deed and as the free act and deed of Company.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand.

Signature of the Notary Public

Date:__________________________________

Commission Expires:

Printed Name of Notary Public

Page 32 of 73, 4524 Supply and Planting of Trees and Shrubs at Various Locations - FINAL

SECTION 2 – SCOPE OF WORK / PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS

Page 33 of 73, 4524 Supply and Planting of Trees and Shrubs at Various Locations - FINAL

2.0 Scope of Services/Objectives & Responsibilities

It is the intent of the City of Norwalk to issue purchase orders to the awarded Contractor of this project for the supply and planting of trees and shrubs at various locations for the Department of Public Works, the Recreation & Parks Department, and other departments as later identified.

Order volume may vary based on department needs. In addition to the City’s routine tree canopy expansion program, the City may request additional tree planting services to support capital projects, grant funded initiatives, or tree replacement needs.

The individual departments involved with ordering the products and services must be issued individual accounts for ordering and billing purposes.

2.1 Funding Source

Funding for the project may be provided through one or more funding sources, including state or federal grants. Federal or state funded projects may require additional terms and conditions and other obligations.

Federally funded projects require the awarded Contractor to agree to additional terms and conditions specified by the Federal government and provide reports and/or other supporting materials to the City in order to enable the City to comply with its grant obligations. In addition, as a result of the Federal Funding source, the awarded vendor will have to obtain an active registration with the System for Award Management (“SAM”) (https://www.sam.gov) pursuant to 2 CFR Part 25 and remain in active and good standing for the life of the grant.

The current Federal CFR Part 200-Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards are included in Exhibit A for reference.

2.2 Special Notes and Conditions

1. The minimum experience and qualifications the City is looking for:

•Contractor with an Arborist licensed in the State of Connecticut on their staff (highly desirable but not required.)

•Contractor having Tree Care Industry Association (T.C.I.A.) accreditation (highly desirable but not required.)

2. Permits/Licenses: The Contractor must obtain all permits and licenses required by law to supply and plant trees and shrubs prior to contract signing. The Contractor shall include with their proposal submission, a copy of all current permits and licenses.

3. Contractors shall submit a copy of their current Certificate of Insurance. Include a statement that defines your existing deductibles and self-insured retentions. Include the name, address and telephone number of your insurance agent.

Page 34 of 73, 4524 Supply and Planting of Trees and Shrubs at Various Locations - FINAL https://www.sam.gov/

4. Contractor shall submit unit prices for items as shown on the response sheet. Said unit prices shall include all labor, material, excavation and disposal of surplus material (in a legal manner) necessary to install and maintain the planting as required. There will be no separate pricing for mulching, staking, trunk guards, or the two-year guarantee period as specified. It is anticipated that each purchase order will be for a minimum amount of $2,000.00 and that plantings within a purchase order will be in reasonably contiguous locations around the City of Norwalk.

5. Periodically, the City receives donated trees from donors who are unable to accomplish the planting of the donated tree. The awarded Contractor shall plant and maintain such trees for two years in accordance with criteria herein. The Contractor is not expected to guarantee such trees. Proposed price for planting only should assume a 2-inch caliper tree.

6. Unless otherwise approved by the Department all work for each purchase order must be completed within 30 days from the date of issuance of the Purchase Order.

7. This list of Street/Park Trees and Shrubs is for solicitation of contract prices for the City of Norwalk to secure the procurement costs for the duration of the contract with the selected Vendor when trees/shrubs are ordered. Actual tree and/or shrub species selection will be made based upon project need, location and suitability to the site conditions. The Contractor shall not make substitutions without the approval of the Department. Approved substitution shall be paid under the final approved species unit cost.

8. Measurement: Planting shall be measured by the number of plants of each kind, size, quality and specified service as set forth in the contract that is counted in place as having been completed and accepted.

9. Call Before You Dig: Prior to digging, the Contractor shall contact all utility companies for verification of location of all underground utilities. Call before you dig number is 1-800-922- 4455.

10. Schedule of Work: Contractor shall provide a schedule for work to be completed on a bi-weekly basis, in a format as agreed upon by the awarded proposer and the Department.

11. Watering/Maintenance Schedule Report: Contractor shall provide a report of all watering activities in a format as agreed upon by the awarded proposer. The report must be submitted to the Project Manager by the close of business on the first Monday of each month.

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2.3 Methods

PLANTING DESCRIPTION

The work under these items shall consist of furnishing trees and shrubs, preparation of planting area, planting, staking and guying, fertilizing, watering and mulching as indicated by the plans. It shall also include the maintenance of plants for a guarantee period of two (2) years, and replacement of dead or unsatisfactory plants as required.

See 2.5, Tree and Shrub Planting Details MATERIALS

Tree and shrub species shall be as specified in the tables listed in Section 1- Response forms and as further specified on the plans, or as required by the Department.

Nomenclature: The common and scientific names of plants shall be in conformity with the approved names by S.P.N. (Standardized Plant Names) or its successor as the American Association of Nurserymen's recognized authority on botanical nomenclature.

Quality and Size: Plants including root spread and ball size shall be in accordance with the current edition of American Standard for Nursery Stock, ANSI Z60.1. All plants shall have a normal habit of growth and be typically characteristic of their respective kinds. When a minimum and maximum size is specified, an average size is required. Plants shall not be pruned before delivery and no plants shall be cut back from larger sizes to meet the sizes specified. Plants shall be free from injury, insect damage, infestation and disease. Plants shall be nursery grown unless otherwise specified and bear evidence of proper nursery care, including adequate transplanting and root pruning. Plants specified from collected sources shall be clean, sound stock, free from decayed stumps and from fire injury.

Container grown material, including container sizes and soil, shall be as specified on the planting task orders issued by the City of Norwalk.

Digging Plants: Plants shall be dug with care and skill immediately before shipment. No cold storage plants will be accepted unless approved. Plants stored temporarily shall be properly heeled in or otherwise protected from injury. Digging shall avoid all possible injury to, or loss of roots, but roots cut shall be cleanly cut.

Root Protection: After plants are dug their roots shall be protected from injury such as caused by heat, sun, wind and freezing temperatures. All bare roots of trees, shrubs and vines shall be puddled at the time of digging unless otherwise approved. Puddling shall be done in a wet clay mixture, of a quality to adhere to all parts of the root system. Roots of bare root plants which have been thoroughly covered at the time of digging with an antidesiccant as specified herein will not require puddling. Bare roots shall be further protected by wrapping in wet straw, moss, burlap or other suitable material.

Transportation: Tarpaulins or other covers shall be placed over plants transported by open trucks or by open freight cars. Doors on closed trucks shall be kept closed to prevent draughts. Shipments made in boxcars or closed trucks shall be adequately ventilated to prevent "sweating." The heads of trees shall

Page 36 of 73, 4524 Supply and Planting of Trees and Shrubs at Various Locations - FINAL be tied in carefully to prevent fracturing or breaking the branches. Trunks and branches shall be adequately supported and padded to avoid scraping and bruising.

Trees: Nursery grown trees shall have no cuts of limbs which are not healing and no cuts over 3/4 inch which have not completely calloused over, no cut back crowns or leaders and no abrasions of the bark.

Trees must have good fibrous root systems characteristic of the kind. Deciduous trees shall have normal spread of crowns unless otherwise specified.

Bare root (B.R.) trees shall not require earth adhering to the roots except as required for puddling as specified. Any trees specified bare root will be accepted balled and burlapped at the unit price bid for bare root trees.

Balled and burlapped (B&B) trees shall be properly dug and protected to preserve the natural earth in contact with the roots. No manufactured balls will be accepted. The balls shall be of the required size, firmly wrapped and tied with approved materials. No plants will be acceptable if the ball is cracked or broken.

Balled and platformed trees (B&P) shall be balled as specified for balled and burlapped trees. Platforms shall be square or octagonal shaped in a size slightly larger than the diameter of the bottom of the soil mass, inserted under each ball and securely lashed to the ball by means of ties from the platform corners to the rope collar on top of the ball.

Deciduous Trees: Trees shall exhibit a strong, upright growth habit with a single primary leader and scaffold branches originating from the trunk. Tress shall have a straight central leader with a symmetrical canopy and well-spaced branch structure, forming a balanced canopy without crossing or rubbing branches. The lowest permanent branch should be at least 5 feet from the ground, unless otherwise specified for particular species or planting locations.

Evergreen Trees: Trees must exhibit a uniform, conical, or pyramidal shape characteristic of their species. The trees shall have a strong, single central leader with no competing or co-dominant leaders.

Coniferous trees should have dense, healthy foliage with no evidence of pests, disease, or mechanical damage. The trunk should be straight, with no evidence of damage, significant lean, or bending.

Shrubs: Shrubs shall have good fibrous root system. The quality of balled and burlapped and balled and platformed shrubs shall be as specified for B&B and B&P trees herein.

Container-grown material shall be vigorous, well-developed plants, well established in pots with sufficient roots to hold the earth intact after removal from containers but they shall not be root bound.

Labeling: Labeling shall be included in accordance with normal large scale nursery labeling practice except that the Vendor may be required at any time to supply positive identification of any plant.

Inspection: The Contractor shall furnish the vendor with a copy of the specifications for the plants. The Vendor shall be responsible for all certificates of inspection of plant materials which may be required by

Page 37 of 73, 4524 Supply and Planting of Trees and Shrubs at Various Locations - FINAL federal, state or other authority to accompany shipments of plants. All plants shall be subject to inspection at any place and at any time. Inspections desired by the City, if approved, shall be at the expense of the Vendor. The Vendor shall be represented at all inspections. The Department reserves the right and option to place the City tags or labels on any or all materials selected. Selection and/or tagging of material shall cover the type and body quality of the plant only but shall not constitute final acceptance nor preclude the right of rejecting plants not fully meeting the requirements of the specifications.

The City reserves the right to identify by suitable non-injurious means such as painting, marking by various methods, etc., all plant material rejected upon delivery to the contract site.

Trunk guards shall be made of high-quality, UV-resistant plastic that allows air circulation. The guards should be flexible, expandable, and have a minimum height of 12 inches above ground level, with a diameter that accommodates the growth of the trunk without constriction.

Stakes for Supporting Trees: Stakes for supporting trees shall be of White or Red Cedar, or other approved wood, or other approved material. The maximum diameter of stakes shall not exceed approximately 4 inches. Stakes shall be pointed at one end and shall have a maximum allowable defection of 1/2" for every one foot of length. All stakes shall be sound and free from insects and fungi.

Deadmen and Guy Stakes: Deadmen and guy stakes used to anchor guy wires or cables which support trees shall be of the quality and sizes required successfully complete the intended work.

Wire: Wire for guying plants shall be new annealed galvanized or aluminum wire, A.S.&W. gauge as specified.

Bracing Materials: The size and quality of cables, turnbuckles, thimbles, leg hooks, eye bolts, rods, washers and nuts shall provided be as specified on the plans or as approved.

Jute Burlap: Jute burlap shall be in 4-inch-wide strips and weigh eight ounces per square yard.

Hose: Hose for protecting the bark from guy wires shall be good quality braided rubber, plastic hose as approved, or reinforced materials.

Twine: Twine for use in wrapping trees shall be jute twine not less than two ply for trees three inches or less in diameter, and not less than three ply for trees over three inches in diameter.

Paper: Wrapping paper for trees shall be waterproof paper 30-30-30 krinklecraft or equal in four-inch-wide strips.

Anti Desiccants: Anti desiccants shall be emulsions or other materials which will provide a protective film over plant surfaces, permeable enough to permit transpiration.

Page 38 of 73, 4524 Supply and Planting of Trees and Shrubs at Various Locations - FINAL

2.4 Project Details

Planting Operations:

Planting Seasons: The planting seasons shall be as agreed by the vendor and the Department and are dependent on climatic conditions. No planting shall be done with frozen backfill or when the soil is in an unsatisfactory condition for working as determined by the Department. As a general guideline, the planting seasons shall be as indicated below.

Deciduous Material

Spring: March 1st to June 15th (inclusive)

Fall: September 15th until the ground freezes.

Evergreen Material

Spring: March 1st to June 1st.

Fall: September 15th until November 1st.

Delivery: The Contractor shall give notice, in an agreed upon format, to the Department at least forty-eight hours in advance before delivering any plant material, unless otherwise approved. The Department shall be furnished a legible copy of the invoice for every shipment showing quantities, sizes and kinds of materials included.

Storage: All plants shall be properly protected from drying out. Such protection shall include the time when the plants are in transit, being handled or in temporary storage on the job.

Bare-root plants which are not planted immediately upon receipt shall be heeled-in in trenches with the bundles opened and the plants spaced separately, and all roots covered. Balled plants shall have earth balls protected by earth or wet cloth or straw or may be "heeled in" as ordered by the Department. Care and maintenance of stored trees and/or shrubs remains the responsibility of the Contractor during the stored period.

Layout: Locations for plants and outlines of areas to be planted shall be marked out on the ground by the Department before any plant pits or plant beds are dug.

Ground Preparation:

Size of Pits: Unless otherwise specified on the plans or the enclosed Details, the minimum diameter of plant pits shall bear the following relation to the spread of roots (or diameter of balls) of the plants to be planted in them:

Pit diameter shall be twice the root spread for plants up to and including a two foot root spread; the pit diameter shall be equal to root spread plus two feet for root spreads of two to four feet; the pit diameter shall be one and one-half times the root spread for spread of roots over four feet. The depth of all pits shall be adequate to permit a minimum of four inches of soil backfill under all roots or balls.

Page 39 of 73, 4524 Supply and Planting of Trees and Shrubs at Various Locations - FINAL

Where undesirable material is encountered in digging, the pits shall be enlarged as approved and backfilled with acceptable material. When planting in wooded areas, the Vendor shall grub out an area twice the size of the plant pit unless otherwise approved. In planting bed areas existing vegetation shall be removed and disposed of in a legal manner.

Obstruction below Ground: Any rock or underground obstructions shall be removed to the depth necessary to permit planting according to the plans and specifications, unless other locations for the planting are approved.

Drainage: Where an impervious stratum of soil is encountered during the excavation of plant pits or beds, all such soil to a depth as approved shall be removed and backfilled with acceptable material.

Planting Soil & Backfill Requirements: Upon excavation of plant pits, the existing excavated soil shall be mixed with topsoil and organic material in the following proportions:

General soil amendment for standard tree plantings shall include backfill of 5 parts excavated soil, 2 parts new topsoil and 1 part organic material. The amended soil shall be used to backfill tree pits in 4- inch layers, firmly tamping each layer to eliminate air pockets while ensuring proper root zone aeration.

Soil amendment for poor soil conditions shall include backfill of 5 parts new topsoil, 2 parts excavated soil and 1 part organic material. The amended soil shall be blended thoroughly before backfilling, ensuring even distribution throughout the root zone. The Contractor shall adjust backfill compaction to prevent excessive settling while maintaining adequate aeration.

Disposal of Excess Soil: Excess soil shall be disposed of in a legal manner.

SETTING PLANTS:

General: All plants shall be set plumb at such a level that after settlement they bear the same relation to the level of the surrounding ground as they bore to the ground from which they were dug unless otherwise directed by the Department. Backfill material for all plants shall be thoroughly settled by firming or tamping. Backfill soil shall be carefully placed into plant pits in layers not to exceed 4 inches in depth and firmly tamped before additional backfill is placed. Any excess soil that has accumulated at the top of the root ball during the digging and burping operations shall be removed during planting operations. Set all trees and shrub materials such that the root flare shall be visible and not less than 1 inch above finish grade. Tree and shrub root systems are to be free of girdling roots or excessive soil.

Plastic trunk guards shall be installed on all deciduous trees to protect against mechanical damage.

Each plant shall receive a minimum of 10 gallons of water immediately after planting to ensure proper soil settlement and root hydration.

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Balled and Burlapped or Platformed Plants: Balled plants (B&B, B&P) are to be planted with backfill carefully tamped under and around the base of each ball to fill voids. Platforms shall be removed. All cloth, ropes, etc. shall be removed from the tops of balls but not pulled out from under the balls.

Bare-root Plants: Roots of bare-root (BR) plants shall be properly spread out in a natural position and backfill soil shall be carefully worked in among them. All broken and frayed roots shall be cleanly cut off.

Container-grown: Plants shall be carefully removed from their containers to prevent damage to the root system. If roots are circling the container, they shall be gently teased apart or pruned to encourage outward growth.

Wrapping: As directed, the trunks of all deciduous trees over 1 1/2 inches in diameter shall be wrapped immediately after planting unless otherwise approved. Wrapping shall extend from the ground line to the height of the second branches or to the height directed. Wrapping shall be a single layer of burlap bandage or paper wound spirally, starting from the base and overlapping one and one-half inches. The wrapping shall be securely tied in place with twine at about fifteen (15) inch intervals.

Staking, Guying and Anchoring: As directed, trees shall be firmly staked, guyed or anchored at the time of planting. Stakes shall not injure plant balls. Wires used for tying the trunk to stakes or for guying shall be secured to the tree by passing through an approved hose to prevent chafing and injury to the trees. Guy wires fastened to stakes shall be tightened by driving the stakes, leaving the wires to be twisted for tightening during establishment.

Pruning: Plants pruned before their arrival will be rejected unless such pruning is approved by the Department. As directed, pruning to correct any poorly branched structure or to elevate low branches where trees are alongside walks and pavement shall be performed in accordance with ANSI A300 standards.

Mulching: Contractor shall hand place shredded hardwood mulch, free of dyes, a minimum of 3” thick in…