CDBG Supply_and_Delivery_of_Various_Trees.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE

DIVISION OF SUSTAINABILLITY

BID SPECIFICATIONS FOR:

CDBG SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF VARIOUS TREES

SUBMISSION DEADLINE:

5/8/25, AT 11:00 A.M.

DELIVER ALL PROPOSALS TO THE DEDICATED LOCKBOX

& ADDRESS TO:

Raquel Tosado, Director, QPA Division of Purchasing

280 Grove Street, 1st Floor, Room 116 Jersey City, NJ 07302

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Sealed bid proposals will be received, opened and read in public by the Purchasing Agent at

280 Grove Street, First Floor, Room 116, Jersey City, New Jersey 07302 at 11:00 a.m. on

May 8, 2025.

Prevailing time, or as soon thereafter as the matter can be reached, for the:

Questions by prospective bidders concerning this bid must be done on-line at https://www.bidnetdirect.com/new-jersey/cityofjerseycity.

Contract Documents, Specifications, and Bid Forms may be downloaded by going on-line to https://www.bidnetdirect.com/new-jersey/cityofjerseycity. Bid Plans/Drawings (if any) may be obtained at the Office of the Director of Purchasing, 280 Grove Street, First Floor, Room

116, Jersey City, New Jersey 07302, (201)547-5155 or (201)547-5221.

Prospective bidders must download bid specifications and all addenda from https://www.bidnetdirect.com/new-jersey/cityofjerseycity. Failure to download bid specifications and acknowledge receipt of addenda shall result in bid rejection.

Bidders are required to comply with the requirements of N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq. and N.J.A.C.

17:27. Full requirements of the Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Programs are incorporated herein by reference and may be obtained with Proposal Form. Bidders are also required to comply with the requirements of P.L. 2004, c.57 (N.J.S.A. 52:32-44) which includes the requirement that contractors provide copies of their Business Registration Certificates issued by the New Jersey Department of the Treasury, as well as other provisions as listed in the Contract

Documents.

Proposals MUST BE ACCOMPANIED by a Bid Bond or Certified Check, made payable to the

City of Jersey City, in an amount equal to Ten (10%) percent of the Bid not to exceed $20,000.00.

ONLINE BID RECEPTIONS/PURCHASING LOCKBOX

All bids and proposals must be delivered ONLY to the dedicated lockbox in the Division

Purchasing, 280 Grove Street, 1st Floor, Room 116, Jersey City, NJ 07302 prior to the bid reception.

All bid receptions are held virtually as video conferences with public access. Link to the online bid receptions appear on the City of Jersey City website at:

https://www.jerseycitynj.gov/cityhall/finance/purchasing/publiccontracts/bid_openings https://www.bidnetdirect.com/new-jersey/cityofjerseycity https://www.jerseycitynj.gov/cityhall/finance/purchasing/publiccontracts/bid_openings

Bids may be sent by U.S. certified mail return receipt requested, or may be sent by private courier service to the dedicated lock box located at the City Hall, Division of Purchasing, 280 Grove Street, First Floor, Room 116, Jersey City, New Jersey 07302. ATTENTION:

Raquel Tosado, Director of Purchasing, QPA.

Proposals forwarded by facsimile or e-mail will not be accepted. Bids sent by mail or courier service must be received by the Purchasing Agent no later than 4:00 P.M. on the last City business day before the day of the bid reception or no later than 11:00 A.M. on the day of the bid reception. Office hours Monday thru Friday 9:00 am to 4:00pm. The City shall not be responsible for the loss, non-delivery or physical condition of bids sent by mail or courier service. Bids must be submitted individually in a sealed envelope addressed to the Purchasing

Agent. Bid proposals must comply with specifications. Any Bid Proposal received after the date and time specified will be returned, unopened, to the bidder.

The Purchasing Agent reserves the right to reject any and all bids received, or portions thereof, if deemed to be in the best interest of the City to do so.

Raquel Tosado, Director of Purchasing, QPA

Insert dates:

April 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, and 23, 2025

INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Purpose

The City is seeking bid proposals for the supply and delivery of various trees.

2. Affirmative Action Requirements

Vendors are required to comply with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 and N.J.A.C. 17:27 et seq. No firm may be issued a contract unless it complies with these affirmative action provisions. The Mandatory Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Language for Goods, Professional

Services and General Service Contracts, Exhibit A summarizes the full required regulatory text.

Goods and Services (including professional services) consultants/contractors shall submit to the public agency, after notification of award but prior to execution of a goods and services contract, one of the following three documents:

• A photo copy of a valid letter that the contractor is operating under an existing Federally approved or sanctioned affirmative action programs (good for one year from the date of the letter); or

• A photocopy of a Certificate of Employee Information Report approval, issued in accordance with N.J.A.C. 17:27-4; or

• A photocopy of an Employee Information Report (Form AA302) provided by the Division and distributed to the public agency to be completed by the contractor, in accordance with N.J.A.C.

17:27-4.

The vendor’s attention is also called to attached Equal employment Opportunity (EEO)/ Affirmative

Action (AA) Requirements for Goods, Professional Service and General Service Contracts, which contains the required information and forms. For information on EEO/AA requirements and forms only, please contact:

Jeana F. Abuan, Acting Director & EEO/AA/Public Agency Compliance Officer Dept. of Administration

Office of Tax Abatement & Compliance 280 Grove Street, lower level, Room 109A

Jersey City, NJ 07302 Tel. #201-547- 4533 | Email: abuanj@jcnj.org

3. Business Registration Certificate

P.L. 2004, c. 57 (Chapter 57) amends and supplements the business registration provisions of N.J.S.A.

52:32-44 which impose certain requirements upon a business competing for or entering into a contract with a local contracting agency whose contracting activities are subject to the requirements of the Local Public Contracts Law (N.J.S.A. 40A:11-1 et seq).

Vendors are required to comply with the requirements of P.L. 2004, c. 57 (Chapter 57) which include submitting a copy of their Business Registration Certificate (BRC), issued by the NJ Department of the Treasury.

For more information on obtaining a BRC, see the State of NJ, Department of Treasury website at:

mailto:abuanj@jcnj.org http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/revenue/busregcert.shtml

4. Indemnification

The Contractor, if awarded the contract, agrees to protect, defend and save harmless the City against damage for payment for the use of any patented material process, article or device that may enter into the manufacture, construction or form a part of the work covered by either order or contract, and further agrees to indemnify and save harmless the City from suits or actions of every nature and description brought against it for, or on account of, any injuries or damages received or sustained by any party or parties by, or from, any of the acts of the contractor, its servants or agents.

5. Insurance Requirements

The Contractor shall maintain sufficient insurance to protect against all claims under Workmen's

Compensation, General, Automobile Liability and Professional Liability and shall be subject to approval for adequacy of protection. Insurance requirements are as follows:

a. Commercial General Liability in the amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate, including Products and Completed Operations and Contractual Liability coverage.

b. Workers’ Compensation with NJ statutory limits covering all employees of Proposer and/or subcontractors and Employers’ Liability in the amount of $1,000,000.

c. Automobile Liability in the amount of $1,000,000 combined single limit, for bodily injury and property damage, covering all owned, non-owned and/or hired automobiles used in the course of the project and/or contract work. Also, required are Endorsements MCS-90 and

CA-9948 Pollution Liability – broadened coverage for covered autos.

Before commencing the work, the Contractor shall furnish the City with a Certificate of Insurance

(Certificate) verifying evidence of such insurance upon execution of this Contract. Except for

Workers’ Compensation and Professional Liability, all Certificates shall name the City of Jersey City as an additional insured. All Certificates shall bear said City Project Name and Number if applicable.

The insurance policies required shall be kept in force for a period specified below.

a. General Liability, Automobile Liability and Workmen’s Compensation policies shall be kept in force until submission of the Contactor’s final invoice.

6. Termination

Should a dispute arise, and if, after a good faith effort at resolution, the dispute is not resolved, either party may terminate the contract by providing 30 days written notice to the other party.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the City reserves the right to cancel the contract at its convenience by providing 30 days written notice to the Respondent.

7. City of Jersey City “Lobbyist Disclosure” Ordinance

The contract will be awarded in accordance with the provisions of the City’s Disclosure of Lobbyist

Representative Status Ordinance §3-9.1 et seq. adopted on June 12, 2002. The Contractor t will be required to certify that the Contractor either did not retain the services of a lobbyist to lobby on behalf of the Contractor for the award of this contract, or if a lobbyist was retained by the Contractor for such purposes, the Contractor’s lobbyist, prior to commencing his/her lobbying activities, shall have filed a notice of lobbyist representative status form with the City Clerk. The Contractor whose lobbyist failed to comply with the provisions of Ordinance §3-9.1 et seq, following notice and an opportunity to be heard, shall be disqualified from entering into contracts with the City for a period of two (2) years for each violation.

http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/revenue/busregcert.shtml

10. Additional Requirements

Bidders must consult the attached Bid Proposal Check List and ensure all items are submitted with the bid proposal.

11. Davis-Bacon and Related Acts

The Contractor agrees to comply with the requirements of the Secretary of Labor in accordance with the Davis-Bacon Act of 1931, as amended; the provisions of the Contract Work Hours and

Safety Standards Act (40 U.S.C. 327 et seq.), and all other applicable Federal, State, and Local laws and regulations pertaining to labor standards insofar as those acts apply to the performance of this

Agreement. The Contractor agrees to comply with the Copeland Anti-Kickback Act (18 U.S.C. 874 et seq.) and it’s implementing regulations of the U.S. Department of Labor at 29 CFR Part 5. The

Contractor shall maintain documentation that demonstrates compliance with hours and wage requirements of this Part. Such documentation shall be made available to the Grantee for review upon request.

The Contractor agrees that, except with respect to rehabilitation or construction of residential property containing less than eight (8) units, all contractors engaged under contracts in excess of

$2,000 for construction, renovation or repair work financed in whole or in part with the assistance provided under this contract, shall comply with Federal requirements adopted by the Grantee pertaining to such contracts and with the applicable requirements of the regulations of the

Department of Labor, under 29 CFR Parts 1, 3, 5, and 7 governing the payment of wages and ratio of apprentices and trainees to journey workers; provided that, if wage rates higher than those required under the regulations are imposed by state or local law, nothing hereunder is intended to relieve the Contractor of its obligation, if any, to require payments of the higher wage. The

Contractor shall cause or require to be inserted in full, in all such contracts subject to such regulations and provisions meeting the requirements of this paragraph.

The regulations in 24 CFR part 70 apply to the use of volunteers.

12. Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968/Equal Opportunity.

In accordance with 24 CFR §570.607, Contractor shall comply with the provisions of Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 (12 U.S.C. §1701u) and its implementing regulations contained in 24 CFR Part 75 (formerly 24 CFR Part 135) regarding economic opportunities for low income persons and the use of local businesses, if applicable. Contractor shall also keep records demonstrating compliance with these regulations, including 24 CFR

§570.506(g)(5).

The Contractor agrees that in planning, and carrying out the project described in Section 1 of

Attachment "A", to the greatest extent feasible:

• Training and employment opportunities will be given to low- and moderate-income persons residing in the municipality of Jersey City; and

• Contracts for work in connection with the project will be awarded to eligible business concerns which are in or owned in a substantial part by persons residing in Jersey City.

The Contractor shall insert, or require the insertion of, the following clause in all contracts and subcontracts for work financed in whole or in part with assistance provided under this Agreement:

The work to be performed under this contract is on a project assisted under a program providing direct Federal financial assistance from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and is subject to the requirements of Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968, as amended (12 USC 1701 U). Section 3 requests that to the greatest extent feasible opportunities for training and employment be given to lower-income residents of the project area and contracts for work in connection with the project be awarded to businesses located in, or owned in substantial part by persons residing in, the project area. The contractor agrees to make a good faith effort to fulfill these requirements, to document this effort, and to provide copies of such documentation to the City with each request for payment.

13. Build America, Buy America Domestic Procurement Preference

As appropriate and to the extent consistent with law, the Contractor should, to the greatest extent practicable under a Federal award, provide a preference for the purchase, acquisition, or use of goods, products, or materials produced in the United States (including but not limited to iron, aluminum, steel, cement, and other manufactured products). The requirements of this section must be included in all contracts and purchase orders for work or products under this award.

The Contractor must comply with the requirements of the Build America, Buy America (BABA)

Act, 41 USC 8301, and all applicable rules and notices, as may be amended, if applicable to the project. Pursuant to HUD’s Notice, “Public Interest Phased Implementation Waiver for FY 2022 and 2025 of Build America, Buy America Provisions as Applied to Recipients of HUD Federal

Financial Assistance” (88 FR 17001), any funds obligated by HUD on or after the applicable listed effective dates, are subject to BABA requirements, unless excepted by a waiver.

For CDBG, the implementation schedule is as follows:

• Iron and Steel for CDBG funds obligated on or after November 15, 2022,

• Specifically listed construction materials (non-ferrous metals; lumber; composite building materials; and plastic and polymer-based pipe and tube) for CDBG funds obligated on or after FY2025

• Not specifically listed construction materials start for CDBG funds obligated on or after

FY2025

• Manufactured products start for CDBG funds obligated on or after FY2025

Additionally, BABA requirements do not apply to infrastructure projects whose total cost is equal to or less than the current Simplified Acquisition Threshold of $250,000 or if the construction material in question is a De Minimis portion of an infrastructure project, meaning a cumulative total of no more than 5 percent of the total cost of the iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials, up to a maximum of $1 million.

CDBG GRANT TREE PURCHASING SCOPE OF WORK

ITEM NO. 1 FURNISH AND DELIVER NURSERY STOCK FOR

DECIDUOUS/EVERGREEN STREET TREES, 2-2.5" CALIPER TYPE 1

ITEM NO. 2 FURNISH AND DELIVER NURSERY STOCK FOR

DECIDUOUS/EVERGREEN STREET TREES, 2.5-3" CALIPER TYPE 2

ITEM NO. 3 FURNISH AND DELIVER NURSERY STOCK FOR

DECIDUOUS/EVERGREEN STREET TREES, 3-4" CALIPER TYPE 3

WORK: Under these Items, the Contractor shall perform all work necessary to FURNISH AND DELIVER

NURSERY STOCK FOR DECIDUOUS/EVERGREEN STREET TREES, 2-2.5" CALIPER TYPE 1,

FURNISH AND DELIVER NURSERY STOCK FOR DECIDUOUS STREET TREES, 2.5-3" CALIPER

TYPE 2, FURNISH AND DELIVER NURSERY STOCK FOR DECIDUOUS STREET TREES, 3-4"

CALIPER TYPE 3 in accordance with the plans, specifications, and directions of the Forester or approved representative of the City of Jersey City.

Work shall include furnishing and delivery of nursery stock for deciduous/evergreen street trees of the type and size designated on the lists provided by the Forester or approved representative of the City of Jersey

City and all incidental work shall be completed under these Items.

QUARANTINE ZONE REGULATIONS:

Nurseries located within the quarantine zone shall comply with State and Federal Law and all Contractors and/or Subcontractors shall be certified to perform work within any UDSA Quarantine Zone (see Submittals section below).

TREE:

Names: Plant names shall conform to those prepared by the American Association of Nurserymen

Horticultural Standards, unless otherwise specified. No substitution shall be permitted except by written permission of the Forester or approved representative of the City of Jersey City.

Labeling: The genus, species and cultivar or trademark name of all trees shall be clearly and legibly labeled in weather-resistant ink or embossed tag on the plant list and on each plant before trees are tagged by the

Forester or approved representative of the City of Jersey City.

Quality Standards: Tree and root ball size shall conform to the latest version of ANSI Z60.1 (American Standard for Nursery Stock).

All trees shall be free of insects and diseases. New shoot growth should be greater than 12 inches unless the tree is a dwarf, slow-growing type as defined by ANSI Z60.1 The size, color and appearance of leaves should be typical of the time of year. Leaves should not be tattered, misshapen, stunted or off-color (chlorotic or necrotic). There shall be no roots greater than 1/10 diameter of the trunk circling more than one-third the way around in the top of the root ball. Roots larger than this may be cut provided they are smaller than one-third the trunk diameter. There should be no kinked roots greater than 1/5 the trunk diameter. Roots larger than this can be cut provided they are less than one-third the trunk diameter. Kinked roots shall be defined as a primary root(s), which is sharply bent, causing a restriction to water, and nutrient and Photosynthate movement. Kinked roots may compromise the structural stability of root systems. The tops of the root ball of as many as (1) percent of the total quantity of trees furnished may be randomly inspected to insure that root systems meet the specification. At the time of inspection, the Forester or approved representative of the

City of Jersey City may request a tree to be pruned to ensure compliance with current ANSI A300 standards.

At the time of tagging, all instructions received from the Forester or approved representative of the City of

Jersey City shall be adhered to; this shall include but is not limited to excavation of root flare, proper pruning as referenced above, and any other maintenance issues brought to attention. If, at the time of tagging, other work will be required in order for any tree to meet the City of Jersey City specifications, the Contractor shall perform this work at no additional cost to the City.

Trees should be rooted into the root ball so that soil remains intact and trunk and root ball move as one when lifted. The trunk should bend when gently pushed, not pivot at or below soil line.

The first major structural root in the root ball shall be visible at the soil surface (see Figure

1). No excess soil will be piled on top of the root flare during the process of cultivation, weeding or digging.

Figure 1 - True Root Flare. The first major structural root shall be exposed at the time of planting, and shall be exposed to this depth prior to digging.

There should be one dominant leader more-or-less straight to the top of the tree with the largest branches spaced at least 6 inches apart.

There can be a double leader only in the top

10% of the tree and only in primarily decurrent trees. In excurrent trees or those trees that start out excurrent and then become decurrent, there should be only one central leader to the top of the trees. (See list of excurrent and decurrent trees).

The tree canopy shall be symmetrical, free of large voids, and typical of the species or cultivar. Live crown ratio (distance from bottom of canopy to tree top/tree height) should be at least 50%. All branches shall be less than 2/3 the trunk diameter, free of bark inclusions, and more-or-less radially distributed around the trunk (see Figure 2).

Figure 2 - Trees greater than 1.5 inches caliper should be able to stand erect without a supporting stake.

The trunk and main branches shall be free of wounds (except for properly-made pruning wounds), damaged areas, scrapes, knots, bleeding, and signs of insects or disease. Trees shall not be pruned immediately prior to delivery.

The Forester or approved representative of the City of Jersey City reserves the right to select and tag trees at the nursery prior to the digging of any and all trees. If any of the conditions specified in this document are not met, it will be grounds to reject the trees. Cost of inspection shall be included in the price bid per tree.

List of Excurrent and Decurrent Species: This list describes the Forester or approved representative of the

City of Jersey City’s expectations for the final shape/ form of each species of tree. It is not all inclusive of all species in this contract, but is meant as a reference for all Contractors. This is NOT a comprehensive list of the species expected to be provided by the nursery contractor to the City.

Excurrent trees: are those that have a strong central leader as a young tree and at maturity. At the time of 2.5-3” harvest, establishment of a strong central leader is expected. Examples of strongly excurrent trees are:

1) Corylus colurna

2) Ginkgo biloba

3) Juniperis spp.

4) Liquidambar styraciflua

5) Metasequoia glyptostroboides

6) Nyssa sylvatica

7) Quercus acutissima

8) Quercus bicolor

9) Quercus imbricaria

10) Quercus palustris

11) Quercus phellos

12) Taxodium distichum

Decurrent trees: are those that may or may not start out with a dominant leader but have several leaders at maturity. Examples of strongly decurrent trees are:

1) Acer campestre

2) Acer ginnala

3) Acer rubrum

4) Amelanchier spp

5) Carpinus caroliniana

6) Cercis Canadensis

7) Chionanthus spp.

8) Cornus florida

9) Crataegus spp

10) Gleditsia triacanthos

11) Gymnocladus dioicus

12) Koelreuteria paniculata

13) Lagerstroemia indica

14) Maackia amurense

15) Malus spp.

16) Prunus ‘Okame’

17) Prunus padus

18) Prunus sargentii

19) Prunus serrulata ‘Kwanzan’

20) Prunus x yedoensis Cornus

21) Quercus spp. ‘Fastigiata’

22) Styphnolobium japonicum

23) Syringa reticulate

24) Ulmus spp.

25) Zelkova serra

Trees that are neither strongly excurrent nor decurrent: These trees generally start off being excurrent (strong central leader) and eventually become decurrent (many leaders). Examples of these trees are:

1) Acer spp.

2) Aesculus spp.

3) Celtis occidentalis

4) Eucommia ulmoides

5) Platanus x acerifolia

6) Quercus coccinea

7) Quercus macrocarpa

8) Quercus muehlenbergii

9) Qurecus robur

10) Quercus rubra

11) Tilia spp.

The nursery contractor shall grow ample variety and diversity of species to the satisfaction of the City to meet our biodiversity needs and City planting goals.

Dimensions/Caliper: Each tree shall be dimensioned as it stands in its natural position. Stock furnished shall be a fair average of the minimum and maximum sizes specified. Tree caliper should be 2.5-3.0” measured on the trunk 6” up from the root flare. At the Forester or approved representative of the City of

Jersey City’s discretion, trees smaller or larger than 2.5-3” caliper may be tagged. The root flare shall be defined as the first major structural root and shall not be confused with the graft union on budded/grafted trees. There will be six species exceptions to caliper measurement: Metasequoia glyptostroboides, Taxodium distichum, Juniperis chinensis, Juniperus virginiana, Cryptomeria japonica, and

Chamecyparis species will be measured on the trunk 12” up from the root flare.

REQUIRED INVENTORY LIST: The Forester or approved representative of the City of Jersey City will provide the Contractor with a list of trees needed to be supplied. The list will detail quantities by species and season/year of delivery to the City. The City reserves the right to amend and/or change this list to comply with any and/or all quarantine laws, rules and/or regulations.

NURSERY LOCATION: Trees should have been grown in the nursery that they are being harvested from for at least three (3) years prior to harvest.

GROWING: All trees are to be field grown. All proposed spacing guidelines must be approved by the City prior to implementation.

PLANTING OF LINERS: Trees that are to be lined out must adhere to current ANSI Z60.1 guidelines and possess a straight trunk from root to top growing point, have well developed root systems, be free from scrapes, bruises or infestations of any kind. Careful attention should be given to weather conditions, such as avoiding hot, dry weather planting. The planting hole shall be saucer-like and be three times wider than the root diameter. The planting hole shall not be deeper than the depth of the roots. Trees shall be planted with the first major structural root (i.e. root flare) at ground level – see Figure 1 above. Backfill the hole with the soil dug from the hole if soil is acceptable for vigorous growth. Rootballs that include larger than 5” rocks within the rootball will be rejected. Cover all roots with soil, leaving the top of the first major structural root exposed. Tamp out the air pockets with a shovel handle or heel of the planter’s foot without using full body weight. Care should be taken not to crush the roots. The root zone around the plant to the drip line shall be thoroughly and deeply watered at the time of planting. The Contractor shall water the plants deeply at least weekly during the dry season. All trees shall be grown in the nursery that they will be harvested from, for at least three (3) years prior to harvest.

PRUNING: Pruning of all trees regardless of their age, shall occur during dormancy periods in any given year or as directed by the Forester or approved representative of the City of Jersey City. Pruning in summer months shall only be allowed from June 1st through July 15th. Broken or crossing branches shall be pruned with a sharp tool in a manner to retain and encourage the plant’s natural growth characteristics. The crown of a young tree shall not be cut back to compensate for root loss. Wound paint or dressing shall not be used.

Wounds shall not be greater than 1/3 the diameter of the trunk of the tree. Pruning shall adhere to current ANSI A300 Standards; poor pruning wounds, or those not sufficiently calloused on trees, will be grounds for rejection.

QUANTITY: The Nursery shall plant or subcontract no less than fifteen (15) percent more of each species/cultivar in order to supply the final desired quantity to the City. The Nursery will need written permission to supply greater than 15 percent of any species from another location. The Nursery shall have the ability to immediately establish productivity with the City using existing tree inventory that meet the criteria of the specifications.

INTERIM TREE GUIDELINES:

Year 1 - Planting Liners: Whips (unbranched trees) or lightly branched or well branched liners shall be planted in the nursery and spaced so as to allow for good crown development and trunk taper. Trees harvested shall be grown at a spacing that the Forester or approved representative of the City of Jersey City has approved.

Trees should be planted so that the roots are symmetrically spaced in the planting hole and the top most root is at the soil surface. Care should be taken to insure that all the roots are spread out and not planted on only one side of the trunk.

Year 1 and 2 - Formation of good trunk taper and trunk strength: Trunk diameter and taper shall be sufficient so that the tree will remain vertical without the support of a nursery stake. Wide spacing within rows and the retention of temporary branches on the lower part of the trunk will encourage this. If a tree is to be staked, the stake must be removed before the last year of the tree’s growth in the nursery. Stakes should be fiberglass; bamboo stakes will be allowed at the discretion of the Forester or approved representative of the

City of Jersey City. Metal stakes will not be allowed.

Temporary branches should be present along the lower trunk, particularly for trees less than 1–1/2" in trunk diameter. They should be no greater than 3/8" in diameter. Heading of temporary branches is often necessary to limit their growth (see figure 3).

Figure 3--Formation of taper and trunk strength. Subordination of temporary branches along lower trunk.

Year 1 to 3 - Formation of the crown/central leader: Upon planting, the liner should be pruned to encourage the formation of new branches. If the leader has been headed back, care should be taken to recreate a new central leader at least ½ the diameter of the original leader by the use of splints (‘grow-straights’), tape and/or pruning. Heading back without retaining a leader is unacceptable (see figures 4 and 5).

It is critical that only one leader be allowed to dominate the new branch structure as it forms. Trees with co-dominant leaders will be rejected. Co-dominant leaders are considered to be two or more branches, trunks, or leaders of approximately the same size, originating in close proximity to one another. Even with trees that have a strong decurrent growth habit, the formation of a dominant leader shall continue while the tree is in the nursery.

Before Pruning After light Pruning After Moderate Pruning

Figure 4– Establishing a dominant leader. Subordinating co-dominant leaders.

Figure 5– Heading and retaining a leader.

Year 2 and 3 - Spacing of scaffold branches: Main branches (scaffolds) should be distributed radially around and vertically along the trunk, forming a generally symmetrical crown typical for the species. These branches should not be opposite one another (see figure 6).

Figure 6 -- Spacing of Scaffold Branches

Main branches, for the most part, shall be well spaced and branch diameter shall be no greater than 2/3 the diameter of the trunk, measured 1" above the branch (see figure 7).

Figure 7 -- Proper Branch Attachments

The attachment of scaffold branches shall be free of included bark (see figure 8).

Figure 8 -- No Included Bark

Year 2 and 3 -Relationship between tree height and height to first branch: For any larger-caliper trees specified for delivery under this contract, the ANSI Z60.1 must be adhered.

• By maintaining a 50% minimum live crown ratio (ht. of first branch to top of the tree/total ht. of the tree), height to first branch can be no more than 6’ for a 12’ tree or 8’ for a 16’ tree.

• Branching height should be gradually raised as the tree grows, maintaining a minimum 50% live crown ratio.

• Slower growing large trees (Type 2 according to ANSI standards) should be no less than 2/3 the height of type one trees for the same caliper size. Live crown ratio should remain the same 50%.

• Small upright or spreading trees have no standard for height to caliper, but the minimum 50% live crown ratio should also be adhered to.

In addition, all Type 1, 2, and 3 trees shall be limbed up to a minimum of seventy-two (72”) above the ground while still maintaining the appropriate live crown to height ratios.

PREPARATION AND TRANSPORT OF TREES:

Root Balls: All trees shall be dug in accordance with current ANSI Z60.1 standards. See below table for specified rootball diameters. In the event that the root flare of tagged trees has been buried due to cultivation or other standard practices, the root flare shall be exposed before the time of digging to ensure compliance.

See Figure 7 for approved root flare depth. Root flares found lower than 3” below the soil line will be grounds for rejection and redelivery by the nursery at no additional cost to the City. All trees shall be Balled and

Burlapped (B&B) wrapped in two layers the first shall be

7-weight untreated burlap, while the second shall be 10-weight treated burlap. Wire baskets must be used for all trees. See ANSI Standards for accepted root ball sizes. The

Forester or approved representative of the City of Jersey City may consider alternative root ball sizes based on the number of times the trees were root pruned or transplanted.

Broken, soft or re-balled root balls will be rejected. Root balls shall not be allowed to dry out after digging. All trees shall be dug to retain as many fibrous roots as possible (see below).

Figure 9 – Proper Depth of Root Flare in rootball, after digging. Note that the graft is well above soil line.

Figure 10 – Tree in ground compared to prepared rootball

Tying of the tops all rootballs shall adhere to the following process, or receive approval from the Forester:

Upon placing freshly-dug rootball into burlap and cage, 3-ply twine that has been approved by the Forester shall be used to secure the trunk to each tab of the cage. Burlap should be extended up past sisal twine to protect trunk from rubbing. A specific star-pattern lacing is required for every tree, achieved by threading the twine from each tab of the basket, around approximately ¾ of the diameter of the trunk and then continuing to another tab, until all tabs are directly connected to the trunk of the tree. Prior to placing each twine through a new tab the twine shall be pulled sufficiently right by a competent work person and continue for each subsequent tab. A second piece of twine must then be used to tighten the outer edges of the ball and should also be woven through the first rope.

Figure 11 – Proper tying of rootballs. Do not over cinch.

Once all tying has been completed, crimping of the rootball shall be performed using only a bull-nose crimper. Pig tail crimpers may not be used. The rootball shall be inspected by a competent work person and crimped where there are gaps between the burlap and rootball cage. When complete, each crimp shall appear to have a "z" shape. When crimping the baskets, do not “over-cinch.” The entire basket, including the base shall be crimped in order to provide better structural integrity to rootballs. Once digging and tightening the ball are completed, the heads of trees shall be tied carefully so as to avoid breaking any major branches in the canopy. In addition, trunk protection shall be set, such that it provides ample protection for transit on flatbeds and handling in the installation contractor’s yard. Trunk protection shall be set such that it will allow for the Forester or approved representative of the City of Jersey City to move it for inspection purposes. Approval for trunk protection will be at the determination of the Forester or approved representative of the City of Jersey City.

Caliper Class Minimum Rootball Diameter Minimum Rootball Depth

2 in 24” 14 3/8”

2.5 in 28” 17”

3 in 32” 19”

3.5 in 38” 23”

4 in 42” 25”

4.5 in 48” 29”

5 in 54” 32”

Digging/Storage prior to and upon delivery: Trees shall be freshly dug in preparation for planting season, or as directed by the Forester or approved representative of the City of Jersey City. Trees shall be dug for transport only after the Forester or approved representative of the City of Jersey City has tagged the trees and when a date for delivery to the determined delivery point has been confirmed by the Forester or approved representative of the City of Jersey City. Trees shall be dug no more than two weeks before the City’s or installation contractor’s requested delivery of plant material.

Dug trees shall be stored in a holding yard with adequate, approved irrigation if they are not shipped within five (5) calendar days of digging. Delivery season shall conclude annually on June 1st and January 1st. All storage of trees during the delivery season shall occur at no additional cost to the City.

All precautions customary in good trade practice shall be taken in preparing trees for transport and workmanship that fails to meet the highest quality standards will be rejected. The below list of rejection standards shall be adhered to and certified by the nursery Quality Control representative during digging, storage, and loading. An accompanying certification from the representative must arrive in each truck’s paperwork, along with packing tickets.

During the spring and fall planting seasons all trees are to be delivered as needed to the location specified by the

Forester or approved representative of the City of Jersey City. The City defines the spring planting season as the period of time from March 15th to June 1st and the fall planting season as the period of time from October 15th to

January 1st, weather permitting.

Trees should be delivered no later than one week after an order is placed unless otherwise directed in writing by the Forester or approved representative of the City of Jersey City. All landscape material shall be accompanied by certificates of inspection required by governing authorities. Contractor must comply with all regulations applicable to landscape materials.

Upon delivery of the trees to the determined delivery point, the City or their contractor may request assistance in unloading the trees into the delivery yard.

Jersey City Parks and Forestry Delivery Standards

• All trees must be delivered with a tarpaulin covering the trees

• Large tears or holes (greater than 4” in diameter) in the rootball are unacceptable Major roots sticking out of the root ball are unacceptable

• Patches of burlap stapled/nailed to the ball are unacceptable

• There shall be no significant indentations from machinery on the tree rootball from loading.

• All trees must arrive in a rootball that conforms to minimum sizes dictated by current ANSI standards.

• Rootballs shall be symmetrical and well balanced. They shall not have a significantly depressed side(s).

• The trees shall sit directly in the center of the rootball. Trees that are off center are unacceptable.

• All trees must be shipped and remain in a dormant state.

• All twine/ rope that is used must be made of a natural fiber. No polytwine.

• All trees must have twine/ rope tying the tree to the rootball basket. (see photos)

• The twine/ rope that ties the tree to the tree basket must be high enough that it should be hard to stick a finger underneath between the rope and burlap.

• The tree shall not sway significantly in the tree basket once it has been dug, if the trunk is pulled on lightly.

• The tree’s leader shall not be broken, as well as no major broken branches.

• There shall be no major scrapes along the trunk or along branches.

• Trees shall be delivered sufficiently moist, and the contractor shall ensure that trees can be unloaded without damaging the rootball. If it is too wet to dig, and or load trees, this must be communicated to the Forester or approved representative of the City of Jersey City, even if it causes a delay in delivery.

• Tree rootball baskets may be tightened, but “over-cinching” will not be tolerated.

INSPECTION: Inspection shall be made at interim periods during the growing period. Cost of inspection shall be included in the price bid per tree. All rejected trees shall be immediately replaced with acceptable material at no additional cost to the City. The City may request that five (5) percent of the total quantity of trees furnished be examined for root structure compliance by the Forester or approved representative of the

City of Jersey City. If available, these trees may be specimens that have already been rejected for non-compliance with the minimum specification for some other criteria.

The Forester or approved representative of the City of Jersey City shall have the right to inspect all trees and materials at the nursery prior to, during, or after digging, as well as during delivery for compliance with the above requirements for genus, species, cultivar, size, quality, methods of transportation and materials used. The Forester or approved representative of the City of Jersey City retains the right to further inspect trees for size and condition of rootball and root system as well as for insects, disease, injury, and latent defects. The Forester or approved representative of the City of Jersey City may reject unsatisfactory or defective materials at any time during the duration of the contract.

Once trees have been delivered, inspected, accepted, and planted, the nursery shall no longer be held responsible for the quality of the materials. Should there be any defects found on planted materials that were not noticed during previous inspections, the digging and shipment of other materials may be suspended until the contract can be completed to the satisfaction of the Forester or approved representative of the City of Jersey City. Any materials already dug shall be held by the contractor according to the specifications above at no cost to the City until further notice from the Forester or approved representative of the City of Jersey City. Any materials already in transit from the nursery may be temporarily rejected, to be held by the contractor until further notice at no cost to the City.

-------------------------------------------- End of Item -------------------------------------------

----------------------------------- END OF SCOPE OF WORK ------------------------------

BID PROPOSAL/DOCUMENTS

CITY OF JERSEY CITY

This contract will be awarded as an open-end contract. The minimum and the maximum quantities for each item are as stated below. Contractor will bid on the maximum quantities

ITEM QUANTITY DESCRIPTION UNIT AMOUNT EXTENDED

AMOUNT

1 0-100 2- 2 ½” caliper, balled & burlapped.

Species to be chosen by the Forester or approved representative of the City of Jersey City during selection of individual trees at the nursery

2. 0-500 2 ½ - 3” caliper, balled & burlapped.

Species to be chosen by the Forester or approved representative of the City of Jersey City during selection of individual trees at the nursery

3. 0-50 3 – 4”caliper, balled & burlapped.

Species to be chosen by the Forester or approved representative of the City of Jersey City during selection of individual trees at the nursery

Note: This contract will be awarded as an open-end contract. The minimum and maximum quantities for each item are as stated. If zero is the minimum, the City is not obligated to order any quantities of that item during the contract term. If a specific number is stated for a minimum, then the City is obligated to purchase whatever that quantity is. Regardless of what the minimum quantity is set at, the Contractor is still required to fill any order that the City places during the contract term until the maximum quantity is reached. The term of the contract is one year.

GRAND TOTAL PRICE ITEMS 1 THROUGH 3

The City will use the grand total price calculated by using the maximum quantities stated for items 1 through 3.

The Contractor shall be paid based on minimum and maximum quantities used; however, it shall not exceed the maximum quantity without prior issuance of a change order.

(In Writing) (In Figures)

The contract will be awarded based on the grand total amount for Items 1 through 3. If the grand total price is found to have been incorrectly computed, change will be made in any and all unit prices so as to attain conformity with the grand total price before award is made.

Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:11-15, the City shall have the option to renew the contract for up to one (1) additional one-year terms. The City shall notify the Contractor whether or not it will be renewing the contract 45 days before the expiration date of the contract. If the City exercises its option to renew the contract, the Contractor must accept the contract renewal. The renewal contract price shall be based upon the price of the original contract as cumulatively adjusted pursuant to any previous adjustment or extension and shall not exceed the change in the Index Rate for the twelve (12) months preceding the most recent quarterly calculation available at the time that the contract is renewed. The Index Rate means the rate of annual percentage increase, rounded to the nearest half-percent, in the Implicit Price Deflator for State and Local Government Purchase of Goods and

Services, computed and Published quarterly by the United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of

Economic Analysis.

NOTE: A bid must be entered for all items. Award of contract shall be based on all items being supplied by one Contractor / Failure to bid any one item will result in the automatic rejection of the bid at the bid reception.

1. CONTRACTOR WILL BE REQUIRED TO DELIVER MATERIALS AS AND WHEN NEEDED

AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO THE LOCATION DETERMINED BY THE FORESTER OR

APPROVED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CITY OF JERSEY CITY, WITHIN TWO BUSINESS

DAYS OF CONTRACTOR’S RECEIPT OF THE CITY’S PURCHASE ORDER.

2. THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT SHALL BE ONE-YEAR COMMENCING 01 DAYS AFTER

THE CONTRACT AWARD BY THE CITY COUNCIL. BID PRICES SHALL REMAIN FIRM

FOR THE DURATION OF THE CONTRACT.

3. BID PROPOSAL MUST COMPLY STRICTLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH SPECIFICATIONS

LISTED HEREIN. CONTRACTOR MUST WRITE BRAND NAMES OR MANUFACTURER IN

THE SPACE PROVIDED ABOVE.

4. ALL BIDDERS ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT A BID BOND OR CERTIFIED CHECK FOR 10%

OF THE TOTAL BID AMOUNT. A PERFORMANCE BOND IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS

CONTRACT.

5. THE CITY OF JERSEY CITY WILL AWARD THE CONTRACT BASED ON THE GRAND

TOTAL PRICE FOR ITEMS 1 THROUGH 3. FAILURE TO BID ON ANY ONE ITEM WILL

RESULT IN THE REJECTION OF THE BID.

All Quotations Must Be Typewritten Or Written In Ink. Pencil Quotations Will Automatically Render Bid

Informal. This Bid Must Be Accompanied by a Bond Or Certified Check For Ten (10%) Percent Of The

Total Amount Of The Bid. Bond Must be from Surety Company Authorized To Do Business In The State Of New Jersey.

(This Proposal Form Not Transferrable)

COMPANY NAME:

NAME:

ADDRESS:

ADDRESS:

DATE:

SCHEDULE OF SUBMITTALS BY BIDDER

SUBMITTAL ITEM TIME OF SUBMISSION

CONSEQUENCE OF

NON COMPLIANCE

1. Acknowledgement of Addendum* With Bid Proposal Bid Rejected

2. Bid Proposal* Time and Date of Bid Reception Bid Rejected

3. Bid Guarantee* With Bid Proposal Bid Rejected

4. Statement of Ownership Disclosure* With Bid Proposal Bid Rejected

5. Certificate of Experience* With Bid Proposal Bid Rejected

6. Equipment Certification* With Bid Proposal Bid Rejected

7. Insurance Certificates Prior to Execution of Contract by the Authority Forfeiture of Bid Security

8. Non-Collusion Affidavit With Bid Proposal or within 24 hours of bid reception

Bid may be rejected

9. Mandatory Equal Employment Opportunity (Exhibit A) With Bid Proposal or within

24 hours of bid opening Bid may be rejected

10. Certification of Non‐Involvement in Prohibited Activities in Russia or Belarus

With Bid Proposal or within 24 hours of bid opening

Bid may be rejected

11. With Proposal or after notification of award but prior to signing a contract, submit a copy of one of the following three documents:

A. A valid letter that the contractor is operating under an existing Federally approved or sanctioned affirmative action program (good for one year from the date of the letter); or

B. Unexpired Certificate of Employee Information Report; or

C. Employee Information Report Form AA302, (if first time doing business with the City of Jersey City)

With Bid Proposal or within 24 hours of bid opening

12. Americans with Disabilities Act (Appendix A) With Bid Proposal or within 24 hours of bid opening Bid may be rejected

13. Supplier Diversity Bidder Questionnaire With Bid Proposal or within 24 hours of bid opening Bid may be rejected

14. NJ Business Registration Certificate With bid proposal or prior to the contract award

FAILURE TO INCLUDE THE BID DOCUMENTS LISTED IMMEDIATELY ABOVE THAT ARE MARKED WITH AN ASTERISK (*) SHALL

RESULT IN AUTOMATIC REJECTION OF THE BID AT THE TIME OF THE BID RECEPTION.

NON COLLUSION AFFIDAVIT

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

CITY OF JERSEY CITY sis:

I certify that I am ______________________________________________________________ of the firm of _________________________________________________________________ the Respondent making the proposal for the above named project, and that I executed the said proposal with full authority so to do; that said Respondent has not, directly or indirectly entered into any agreement, participated in any collusion, or otherwise taken any action in restraint of free, competitive bidding in connection with the above named project; and that all statements contained in said proposal and in this affidavit are true and correct, and made with full knowledge that the

City of Jersey City relies upon the truth of the statements contained in said proposal and in the statements contained in this affidavit in awarding the contract for the said project.

I further warrant that no person or selling agency has been employed to solicit or secure such contract upon an agreement or understanding for a commission, percentage, brokerage or contingent fee, except bona fide employees or bona fide established commercial or selling agencies maintained by (N.J.S.A.52: 34-25)

(Signatur…