AMENDMENT 1.pdf

SAP

State of South Carolina

Invitation For Bid

AMENDMENT 1

Solicitation:

Date Issued:

Procurement Officer:

Phone:

E-Mail Address:

Mailing Address:

5400030051 08/25/2026

TAMIKA THOMAS

(864)) 241-1010 EXT. 6027

ThomasTS@scdot.gov SCDOT Procurement Office 955 Park Street Room 101 Columbia SC 29201-3959

DESCRIPTION: GROUNDS MAINTENANCE OCONEE MAINT.

USING GOVERNMENTAL UNIT: SC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

SUBMIT YOUR OFFER ON-LINE AT THE FOLLOWING URL: http://www.procurement.sc.gov SUBMIT OFFER BY (Opening Date/Time): 09/16/2026 @ 14:30:00 (See "Deadline For Submission Of Offer" provision) QUESTIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY: 08/24/2026 @ 12:00:00 EXPIRED (See "Questions From Offerors" provision)

NUMBER OF COPIES TO BE SUBMITTED: ONE ONLINE

CONFERENCE TYPE: SITE-VISIT

DATE & TIME: AUGUST 20, 2026 @ 10:30AM EXPIRED

(As appropriate, see "Conferences - Pre-Bid/Proposal" & "Site Visit" provisions)

LOCATION: SCDOT OCONEE MAINT.

150 RICHLAND ROAD

WESTMINSTER, SC 29693

AWARD &

AMENDMENTS

Award will be posted on 10/01/2026. The award, this solicitation, any amendments, and any related notices will be posted at the following web address: http://www.procurement.sc.gov

You must submit a signed copy of this form with Your Offer. By signing, You agree to be bound by the terms of the Solicitation. You agree to hold Your Offer open for a minimum of thirty (30) calendar days after the Opening Date. (See "Signing Your Offer" provision.)

NAME OF OFFEROR

(full legal name of business submitting the offer)

Any award issued will be issued to, and the contract will be formed with, the entity identified as the Offeror. The entity named as the offeror must be a single and distinct legal entity. Do not use the name of a branch office or a division of a larger entity if the branch or division is not a separate legal entity, i.e., a separate corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, etc.

AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE

(Person must be authorized to submit binding offer to contract on behalf of Offeror.)

DATE SIGNED

TITLE

(business title of person signing above)

STATE VENDOR NO.

(Register to Obtain S.C. Vendor No. at www.procurement.sc.gov)

PRINTED NAME

(printed name of person signing above)

STATE OF INCORPORATION

(If you are a corporation, identify the state of incorporation.)

OFFEROR'S TYPE OF ENTITY: (Check one) (See "Signing Your Offer" provision.)

___ Sole Proprietorship ___ Partnership ___ Other_____________________________

___ Corporate entity (not tax-exempt) ___ Corporation (tax-exempt) ___ Government entity (federal, state, or local)

COVER PAGE - ON-LINE ONLY (MAR. 2015)

mailto:ThomasTS@scdot.gov http://www.procurement.sc.gov/

AMENDMENTS TO SOLICITATION

(a) The Solicitation may be amended at any time prior to opening. All actual and prospective Offerors should monitor the following web site for the issuance of Amendments: www.procurement.sc.gov (b) Offerors shall acknowledge receipt of any amendment to this solicitation (1) by signing and returning the amendment, (2) by identifying the amendment number and date in the space provided for this purpose on Page Two, (3) by letter, or

(4) by submitting a bid that indicates in some way that the bidder received the amendment. (c) If this solicitation is amended, then all terms and conditions which are not modified remain unchanged.

QUESTIONS FROM OFFERORS - AMENDMENT (JUN 2017)

THE SOLICITATION IS AMENDED AS PROVIDED HEREIN. INFORMATION OR CHANGES RESULTING

FROM QUESTIONS WILL BE SHOWN IN A QUESTION-AND-ANSWER FORMAT. ALL QUESTIONS

RECEIVED HAVE BEEN REPRINTED BELOW. THE “STATE’S RESPONSE” SHOULD BE READ WITHOUT REFERENCE TO THE QUESTIONS. THE QUESTIONS ARE INCLUDED SOLELY TO PROVIDE A CROSS-

REFERENCE TO THE POTENTIAL OFFEROR THAT SUBMITTED THE QUESTION. QUESTIONS DO NOT

FORM A PART OF THE CONTRACT; THE “STATE’S RESPONSE” DOES. ANY RESTATEMENT OF PART OR ALL OF AN EXISTING PROVISION OF THE SOLICITATION IN AN ANSWER DOES NOT MODIFY THE

ORIGINAL PROVISION EXCEPT AS FOLLOWS: UNDERLINED TEXT IS ADDED TO THE ORIGINAL

PROVISON. STRICKEN TEXT IS DELETED. [02-2A097-1]

The following questions were received regarding this solicitation. Responses have been provided and changes have been made to section III. SCOPE OF WORK/SPECIFICATIONS. The added information is in RED TEXT added to the original provision.

Question 1.

Can you provide the total acreage/square footage of grassy areas to be mowed, as marked in red on the map in Attachment E?

SCDOT Response.

Change. Yes, the total acreage of grassy areas to be mowed as marked in red on the map in Attachment E is 3.5 acres.

Question 2.

How many total plant beds, curb/walk linear feet, and trees are included in the "neatly edged and trimmed" requirement?

SCDOT Response.

Change. There are three (3) plant beds, twenty-eight (28) trees, and approximately 4,000 linear feet of curb/walk in the “neatly edged and trimmed” requirement.

Question 3.

Is there a designated area for green waste/debris disposal on-site, or must the contractor haul all clippings and limbs off-site?

SCDOT Response.

Change. Yes, the Contractor shall haul and properly dispose of all waste, debris, clippings, and limbs at an appropriate off-site disposal facility.

Question 4:

The Scope of Work states that "litter and debris will be cleaned and removed from all landscape areas, parking areas and ditches." Is this task the responsibility of the grounds maintenance contractor under this solicitation, or is it performed by another company/contract?

SCDOT Response.

Change. The awarded Contractor is responsible for clearing and removal of litter and debris from all landscape areas, parking areas and ditches under this solicitation.

Question 5.

The Bidding Schedule shows 150 weeks (growing season) and 50 weeks (dormant season) for Line Items 0001 and 0002. Can you confirm the basis for these quantities (e.g., total across the full contract period)?

SCDOT Response.

No Change. Yes, During the growing season, April through October, services will be performed weekly for approximately thirty (30) services per year. During the dormant season, November through March, services will be performed twice per month for approximately ten (10) services per year. Therefore, over the potential five (5)-year contract period, the estimated total is 150 growing-season services and 50 dormant-season services.

Question 6.

How many herbicide/fertilizer applications per year should offerors assume when developing pricing?

SCDOT Response.

Change. Yes, Herbicide shall be applied four (4) times annually. Herbicide/weed-control treatment shall include the rock beds, mulch beds, asphalt areas where vegetation is present (including cracks), areas inside the fence, parking areas outside the fence, approximately 2,200 linear feet (LFT) of chain-link fence around the perimeter, and curb and gutter areas. Herbicide application for weed control in the parking area is included in this requirement. Weed control shall be maintained year-round.

Fertilizer shall be applied two (2) times annually to the applicable grass and landscaped areas.

Refer to Section III, Scope of Work/Specifications, Facility Appearance, Item 2.

Question 7.

Section I references a "potential five (5) year contract period," while the Term of Contract clause states a 1-year initial term with automatic 1-year renewals. Can you confirm the maximum number of renewal terms available and whether the total contract duration may extend up to five years?

SCDOT Response.

No Change. The contract provides for an initial one (1) year term with a maximum of four (4) additional one-year renewal terms. If all renewal options are exercised, the total contract duration may not exceed five (5) years.

Please refer to sections I. SCOPE OF SOLICITATION located on page 5 and VII. TERMS AND CONDITIONS – B. SPECIAL, under TERM OF CONTRACT -- EFFECTIVE DATE / INITIAL CONTRACT PERIOD (JAN 2006) located on page 31 on the solicitation.

Question 8.

For price adjustment requests tied to renewal terms, can you confirm the 90-day advance notice requirement applies separately to each renewal term?

SCDOT Response:

No Change. Yes, the 90-day advance notice for price adjustments applies separately for each renewal term of the contract. Please refer to the section VII. TERMS AND CONDITIONS -- B. SPECIAL, under PRICE ADJUSTMENT

- LIMITED -- AFTER INITIAL TERM ONLY (JAN 2006) on page 29 of the solicitation.

Question 9.

Is water or power available on-site for contractor equipment needs, or should offerors assume none is provided?

SCDOT Response:

Change: Water and power is available on-site for the contractor.

Question 10.

Are there specific site operating hours or noise/access restrictions that would affect scheduling of mowing and maintenance crews?

SCDOT Response:

Change: Services shall be performed Monday through Friday, between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The facility gate will be locked outside of these hours. The specified hours of performance are mandatory and shall not be modified or adjusted by the Contractor. SCDOT recommended they start after the crews leave the yard at 9:00AM and before they return at 3:00PM.

Question 11.

Beyond the standard CGL, Auto Liability, and Workers' Compensation minimums listed in the solicitation, are there any additional site-specific insurance endorsements typically required for this location?

SCDOT Response:

No Change. There are no additional site-specific insurance endorsements required for this location.

Question 12.

For the SC Certified Pesticide Applicator License (Category 3, Ornamental and Turf), may this requirement be satisfied by a subcontractor's licensed applicator, or must the license holder be a direct employee of the prime contractor?

SCDOT Response:

No Change. The SC Certified Pesticide Applicator License requirement may be satisfied through a properly licensed subcontractor. If an offeror intends to satisfy this requirement through a subcontractor, the offeror must provide the subcontractor's organization name and applicable license documentation with its bid for verification as part of the responsibility determination.

Question 13.

If an offeror intends to claim the Resident Subcontractor Preference, is there a preferred format or template for documenting the subcontractor's labor cost percentage, or is a narrative statement with supporting documentation sufficient?

SCDOT Response:

No Change. Please refer to page 14 & 15 for Preferences – A Notice to Vendors (SEP 2009), PREFERENCES -

RESIDENT CONTRACTOR PREFERENCE (SEP 2009), PREFERENCES - RESIDENT SUBCONTRACTOR

PREFERENCE (SEP 2009). A bidder claiming the preference must identify the subcontractor, work to be performed, and factual basis supporting qualification.

Question 14.

What is the Square footage of the areas that will be serviced by contractor?

SCDOT Response:

Change. The square footage of the service area for this location to be maintained is 338,700 square feet.

Question 15.

What period would they not perform this service?

SCDOT Response:

No Change. Refer to Section III, Scope of Work/Specifications, page 16, number 1. There is no designated period during the contract term when all grounds maintenance services cease. During the growing season, April through October, grassy areas shall be maintained weekly, approximately thirty (30) services annually. During the dormant season, November through March, grassy areas shall be maintained twice per month, approximately ten (10) services annually. Refer to Section III, Scope of Work/Specifications, Grass Areas to be Maintained, Item 1.

Question 16.

Is there a bond required for this solicitation?

SCDOT Response:

No change. There is no bond requirement for this solicitation request.

Question 17.

What PPE gear is required of the contractor?

SCDOT Response:

Change. Attire: The minimum dress code for Contractor’s employees when performing work on this contract shall include a shirt with sleeves of some sort, long pants, appropriately closed toed shoes and an SCDOT approved safety vest when working adjacent to traffic.(Refer to Section III, Scope of Work/Specifications, Safety and Training, page 20.

Question 18.

Should the grass/vegetation need to be removed from cracks in asphalt once sprayed?

SCDOT Response.

Change. Yes, grass/vegetation needs to be removed from cracks in asphalt once sprayed.

Question 19.

Is the contractor responsible for planting flowers in the beds?

SCDOT Response:

No Change. No. Furnishing or planting flowers is not required under this solicitation. The Contractor is responsible only for maintaining the existing plant and flower beds in accordance with the Scope of Work/Specifications.

Question 20.

Should the entire fence line be sprayed and the vegetation be removed once sprayed?

SCDOT Response:

Change. Only spray the fence highlighted in the attached map which is estimated to be 2,200 LFT. Vegetation should be removed from fence after it is sprayed and dead.

Question 21.

Can cleanup for the parking lot outside the fence be performed on weekends?

SCDOT Response:

Change. Yes. As an exception to the normal Monday-through-Friday hours of performance, the Contractor may perform cleanup of the parking areas and sidewalks located outside the secured fence on weekends. Weekend work is limited to these exterior areas and does not authorize access inside the secured facility or fence outside the established hours of operation. Contractor can work Saturday – Sunday between the hours of 9:00AM – 5:00PM for cleanup for the parking lot outside the fence.

Question 22.

What is the tree maintenance required?

SCDOT Response:

No Change. Refer to Section III, Scope of Work/Specifications, page 16, number 3. Tree maintenance under this contract consists of removing low-hanging and/or dead branches from the twenty-eight (28) trees included in the service area. Refer to Section III, Scope of Work/Specifications, Facility Appearance, Item 3.

Question 23.

Can you clarify if the contract calls for both year-round turf fertilization and weed control? Year-round weed control will require additional treatment.

SCDOT Response:

No change. No Change. Weed control is required on a year-round basis. Fertilization is not required year-round and shall be performed two (2) times annually. Herbicide shall be applied four (4) times annually, with weed-control measures performed as necessary throughout the year to maintain the required areas free of weeds.

Refer to Section III, Scope of Work/Specifications, Grass Areas to be Maintained and Facility Appearance. Refer to Section III, Scope of Work/Specifications, Grass Areas to be Maintained #1 and Facility Appearance, #2, page 16)

Question 24.

Can you clarify if there are any safety requirements for equipment use (i.e. lights, flags, etc.) during work hours or PPE gear for contract workers?

Change. Refer to Section III, Scope of Work/Specifications, under Personnel Requirements page 17, PPE Gear Requirements - Attire: The minimum dress code for Contractor’s employees when performing work on this contract shall include a shirt with sleeves of some sort, long pants, work appropriately closed toed shoes and an SCDOT approved safety vest when working adjacent to traffic. In addition, refer to Safety and Training.

Question 25.

Is the COI required at the time of bid submission or can it be provided before the start of work for the successful bidder?

No Change. The Certificate of Insurance (COI) is not required at the time of bid submission. The successful Offeror shall furnish the required certificates of insurance and applicable endorsements prior to commencement of work.

All required certificates and endorsements must be received and approved by the State before work begins. Refer to Section VII, Terms and Conditions – B. Special, CONTRACTOR'S LIABILITY INSURANCE – GENERAL (FEB 2015), paragraph (e), page 26 of the solicitation.

SAPSAP

III. SCOPE OF WORK/SPECIFICATIONS

SCDOT is soliciting bids to furnish all labor, materials, transportation and equipment necessary to conduct Grounds Maintenance at the Oconee Maintenance Office, in accordance with specifications below.

Services must be performed within the normal business hours Monday-Friday 7:30am – 4:00pm. The gate will be locked outside these times. SCDOT recommended they start after the crews leave the yard at 9:00AM and before they return at 3:00PM.

GRASS AREAS TO BE MAINTANED:

1. Grassy areas marked in red on the map (Attachment E) shall be mowed and edged weekly during growing season (April-October- approximately 30 services annually). Mowing height shall be appropriate for the type of grass at the facility. During dormant season (November-March) grass will be maintained twice per month to maintain a neat appearance. The total acreage of grassy areas to be mowed as marked in red on the map in Attachment E is 3.5 acres.

2. All weeds will be kept eradicated by appropriate chemical and/or manual treatment of the lawns and flower and shrub beds. Licensing requirement are outlined below.

3. All plant beds, curbs, walks, streets, trees, plants and building areas shall be kept neatly edged and trimmed. Maintain all shapes and configurations of beds. Maintain a clean trench line between grassed areas and beds. There are three (3) plant beds, twenty-eight (28) trees, and approximately 4,000 linear feet of curb/walk in the “neatly edged and trimmed” requirement.

4. Provide reasonable control of disease and insect infestations, including fire ants, with approved materials to be furnished by vendor.

5. Fertilize at proper intervals with appropriate materials to be furnished by vendor.

6. Herbicide shall be applied four (4) times annually. Fertilizer shall be applied two (2) times annually to include rock beds, mulch beds, asphalt areas (cracks that have grass growing in them, inside the fence and parking areas outside), chain link fence (approx.2,200 LFT) around the perimeter, curb and gutter.

This includes fertilization for weed control in the parking area.

FACILITY APPEARANCE:

1. Litter and debris will be cleaned and removed from all landscape areas, parking areas and ditches.

All debris resulting from landscape maintenance operations is to be cleaned as work progresses and removed from facility, including tree limbs, twigs, leaves, grass clippings, etc. The Contractor shall haul and properly dispose of all waste, debris, clippings, and limbs at an appropriate off-site disposal facility. The awarded Contractor is responsible for clearing and removal of litter and debris from all landscape areas, parking areas and ditches under this solicitation.

2. At parking lot perimeters and paving joints, weeds and grasses are to be controlled with appropriate contact herbicide sprays and/or manual weeding weekly. Refer to number 6 above under “Grass areas to be maintained. Weed-control is year round service.

3. Remove all low hanging and/or dead branches from trees. Tree maintenance under this contract consists of removing low-hanging and/or dead branches from the twenty-eight (28) trees included in the service area.

CONTACT PERSON:

Contractor shall appoint a designee to discuss any matters and issues that may arise during the contract period. Upon notification of award, submit to the SCDOT Oconee Maintenance Contracts Manager the designee's name and phone number. This person shall be available within one hour notice.

EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS:

Only equipment designed for performance of the work described herein will be acceptable for operation. The Contractor shall ensure that all safety requirements are established. All equipment shall be in good working order and inspected for such prior to operation. No equipment shall be operated that damages the pavement and may only cause nominal rutting to turf areas. Safety devices shall be properly installed and maintained at all times the equipment is in use. All equipment shall be properly calibrated prior to use.

All open portions of the mowers must have acceptable guards to prevent objects from being thrown from under the mower while in operation. Any mower deemed unacceptable by the SCDOT Representative will not be allowed to operate until such guards are in place and functioning properly.

Mower blades shall be properly maintained, i.e., sharp and straight. Any mower with a blade deemed unacceptable by the SCDOT Representative is prohibited to operate until such blade is replaced or the deficiencies are corrected.

List of equipment proposed for use must be included with your bid submission.

Water and power is available on-site for the contractor.

PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS:

Supervisor

The Contractor shall, at all times, have on the work site a Supervisor as the Contractor's agent, thoroughly experienced in the type of work being performed. The Contractor's Supervisor shall be available at the work site when all work is being performed under this contract. The on-site Supervisor shall act as the Contractor's authorized agent in all communications with the SCDOT Representative. The Supervisor's duties are not strictly supervisory. The Supervisor may be a part of the maintenance crew to perform the work in accordance to the contract. The Contractor shall provide phone numbers and names of the Supervisor to be contacted at any time and at no time shall the Supervisor's response be more than one hour from the SCDOT Representative's initial contact. The Supervisor shall be responsible for inspecting and reporting the need for major repairs such as damaged signs, trash receptacles, site furnishings, site lighting, sidewalks, etc. to the SCDOT Representative immediately.

Crew

Personnel performing these services will be under the sole responsibility of the Supervisor and shall be competent, experienced and skilled in all aspects of grounds maintenance, equipment usage and safety procedures.

On Site Notification

One representative of the personnel performing these services shall sign a log sheet located in the Oconee Maintenance main office when arriving on site and before beginning work each week.

Licenses

A valid Driver's License is required for all vehicle operators. All herbicide applicators shall have a valid South Carolina Certified Pesticide Applicator License certified in Category 3, Ornamental and Turf Category.

Herbicides

Herbicides, adjuvants, and blends as prescribed in the latest edition of Clemson University's Pest control guidelines for Professional Turf grass Managers may be used where approved by these specifications. No bare ground will be permitted. Brown-out shall be minimized. At least seven (7) business days prior to applying herbicides, the Contractor shall submit a copy of the applicator's pesticide license to the SCDOT Representative and a plan stating the locations, materials (including all labels and MSDS sheets), and the intended application rates. The Contractor must provide the completed Herbicide Application Report to the SCDOT Representative within one (1) business day of the application. The Contractor shall adhere to product labeling and MSDS sheets.

https://media.clemson.edu/public/turfgrass/2018%20Pesticide%20RECS/2018%20Pest%20Control%20Recom mendations.pdf

PPE Gear Requirements

Attire: The minimum dress code for Contractor’s employees when performing work on this contract shall include a shirt with sleeves of some sort, long pants, appropriately closed toed shoes and an SCDOT approved safety vest when working adjacent to traffic. To include safety glasses.

Safety and Training

Safety is the responsibility of the Contractor. All equipment will be operated safely as per manufacturer recommendations and in accordance with all applicable codes, laws, ordinances and regulations. Work will be performed in such a way to prevent damage to turf, trees, shrubs, groundcover, structures, site fixtures and parked or moving vehicles. Any damage to parked or moving vehicles is the responsibility of the Contractor and shall be corrected by the Contractor. Safety attire for pesticide applicators is required. The contractor is responsible for assuring that all mower operators are qualified to safely operate mechanized mowing equipment. The Contractor is responsible for contacting and locating all utilities prior to digging. Any damage to utilities caused by the Contractor will be corrected immediately by the Contractor at no expense to the SCDOT. Any damage will be corrected to the satisfaction of the SCDOT Representative. The Supervisor shall report any incidents that occur on site to the SCDOT Representative within one (I) hour. The Contractor shall submit a written incident report to the SCDOT within 24 hours that describes the accident in full, names of those involved with contact phone numbers and extent of injury and damage.

NEGLIGENT OPERATION -THIRD PARTY PROPERTY DAMAGE:

Negligent operation that results in damage sustained by a third party's property requires receipt of a claim from the third party. Examples of damage to third party property due to negligent operation include but are not limited to damage to: private real property, such as mowing or applying herbicides to vegetation that is not within SCDOT right-of-way, a third party vehicle(s) or property caused by an item ejected from a mower. The Contractor will indemnify and hold harmless SCDOT and all of its officers, agents, and employees from all suits or claims for property damage pursuant to Section 107.18 of the Standard Specifications. In cases of third party property damage claims resulting from mowing activities and/or associated activities performed by the Contractor, SCDOT shall provide to the claimant the Contractor's name, address and phone number. The Contractor shall be responsible for receiving and processing such claims.

https://www.scdot.org/business/standard-specifications.html https://media.clemson.edu/public/turfgrass/2018%20Pesticide%20RECS/2018%20Pest%20Control%20Recommendations.pdf https://media.clemson.edu/public/turfgrass/2018%20Pesticide%20RECS/2018%20Pest%20Control%20Recommendations.pdf https://www.scdot.org/business/standard-specifications.html

THIRD PARTY PERSONAL INJURY

The Contractor will indemnify and hold harmless SCDOT and all of its officers, agents, and employees from all suits or claims for personal injury pursuant to Section l07.18 of the Standard Specifications. In cases of third- p a r t y personal injury claims resulting from mowing activities and/or associated activities performed by the Contractor, SCDOT shall provide to the claimant the Contractor's name, address and phone number.

The Contractor shall be responsible for receiving and processing such claims.

SEE BIDDING SCHEDULE

See Bidding Schedule [03-3005-1]

DELIVERY/PERFORMANCE LOCATION -- SPECIFIED (JAN 2006)

After award, all deliveries shall be made and all services provided to the following address, unless otherwise specified:

SCDOT Oconee Maintenance, 150 Richland Road, Westminster, SC 29693 [03-3030-1]