City of Fort Lauderdale Turf Grass Maintenance - Fire, Parking, Utility Plants

ITB Event # 654

Version 03-06-25

SECTION I – INTRODUCTION AND INFORMATION

1.1 Purpose

The City of Fort Lauderdale, Florida (City) is seeking bids from qualified, experienced, and licensed firm(s), hereinafter referred to as the Contractor, Bidder, or Proposer, to provide Turf Grass maintenance for the City, in accordance with the terms, conditions, and specifications contained in this Invitation to Bid (ITB).

1.2 Point of Contact

For information concerning procedures for responding to this solicitation, contact Procurement Specialist Louis Fitzgerald at (954) 828-3155 or email at LFitzgerald@fortlauderdale.gov. Such contact shall be for clarification purposes only.

For information concerning technical specifications, please utilize the question / answer feature provided by the City’s on-line strategic sourcing platform. Questions of a material nature must be received prior to the cut-off date specified in the ITB schedule. Material changes, if any, to the scope of services or bidding procedures will only be transmitted by written addendum. Bidders please note: no part of your bid can be submitted via FAX. No variation in price or conditions shall be permitted based upon a claim of ignorance. Submission of a bid will be considered evidence that the Bidder has familiarized themselves with the nature and extent of the work, and the equipment, materials, and labor required. The entire bid response must be submitted in accordance with all specifications contained in this solicitation. The questions and answers submitted in the City’s on-line strategic sourcing platform shall become part of any contract that is created from this ITB.

1.3 Pre-bid Conference and/or Site Visit

There will not be a pre-bid conference or site visit for this ITB.

It will be the sole responsibility of the Bidder to become familiar with the scope of the City’s requirements and systems prior to submitting a bid. No variation in price or conditions shall be permitted based upon a claim of ignorance. Submission of a bid will be considered evidence that the Bidder has familiarized themselves with the nature and extent of the work, equipment, materials, and labor required.

1.4 CITY’S ON-LINE STRATEGIC SOURCING PLATFORM

The City of Fort Lauderdale uses its own on-line strategic sourcing platform to administer the competitive solicitation process, including but not limited to soliciting bids, issuing addenda, posting results, and issuing notification of an intended decision. There is no charge to register and download the ITB from the City’s on-line strategic sourcing platform. Bidders are strongly encouraged to read the supplier tutorials available in the City’s on-line strategic sourcing platform well in advance of their intention of submitting a bid to ensure familiarity with the use of the City’s on-line strategic sourcing platform. The City shall not be responsible for a Bidder’s inability to submit a Bid by the end date and time for any reason, including issues arising from the use of the City’s on-line strategic sourcing platform.

It is the sole responsibility of the Bidder to ensure that their bid is submitted electronically through the City’s on-line strategic sourcing platform no later than the time and date specified in this solicitation. PAPER BID SUBMITTALS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. BIDS MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY VIA the City’s on-line strategic sourcing platform.

Version 10-2025

1.5 Electronic Bid Openings

Please be advised that effective immediately, and until further notice, all Invitation to Bids, Request for Proposals, Request for Qualifications, and other solicitations led by the City of Fort Lauderdale will be opened electronically via the City’s on-line strategic sourcing platform at the date and time indicated on the solicitation. All openings will be held on the City’s on-line strategic sourcing platform.

Anyone requesting assistance or having further inquiry into this matter must contact the Procurement Specialist indicated on the solicitation, via the Question-and-Answer forum on the City’s on-line strategic sourcing platform before the Last Day for Questions indicated in the Solicitation.

SECTION II - SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

2.1 General Conditions

ITB General Conditions (Form G-107, Rev. 12-2025) are included and made a part of this ITB.

2.2 Addenda, Changes, and Interpretations

It is the sole responsibility of each firm to notify the Procurement Specialist utilizing the question/answer feature provided by the City’s on-line strategic sourcing platform and request modification or clarification of any ambiguity, conflict, discrepancy, omission, or other error discovered in this competitive solicitation. Requests for clarification, modification, interpretation, or changes must be received prior to the Question and Answer (Q & A) Deadline. Requests received after this date may not be addressed. Questions and requests for information that would not materially affect the scope of services to be performed, or the solicitation process will be answered within the question/answer feature provided by the City’s on-line strategic sourcing platform and shall be for clarification purposes only. Material changes, if any, to the scope of services or the solicitation process will only be transmitted by official written addendum issued by the City and uploaded to the City’s on-line strategic sourcing platform as a separate addendum to the ITB. Under no circumstances shall an oral explanation given by any City official, officer, staff, or agent be binding upon the City and should be disregarded. All addenda are a part of the competitive solicitation documents, and each firm will be bound by such addenda. It is the responsibility of each to read and comprehend all addenda issued.

2.3 Changes and Alterations

Bidder may change or withdraw a Bid at any time prior to Bid submission deadline; however, no oral modifications will be allowed. Modifications shall not be allowed following the Bid deadline.

2.4 Bidder’s Costs

The City shall not be liable for any costs incurred by Bidders in responding to this ITB.

2.5 Pricing/Delivery

Bidder shall quote a firm, fixed price for all services stated in the ITB. All costs including travel shall be included in your cost. The City shall not accept any additional costs including any travel associated with coming to the City of Fort Lauderdale.

2.6 Price Validity

Prices provided in this Invitation to bid (ITB) shall be valid for at least One-Hundred and Twenty

(120) days from time of ITB opening unless otherwise extended and agreed upon by the City and Bidder. The City shall award contract within this time period or shall request to the recommended awarded vendor an extension to hold pricing, until products/services have been awarded.

2.7 Invoices/Payment

The City will accept invoices no more frequently than once per month. Each invoice shall fully detail the related costs and shall specify the status of the particular task or project as of the date of the invoice with regard to the accepted schedule for that task or project. Payment will be made within forty-five (45) days after receipt of an invoice acceptable to the City, in accordance with the Florida Local Government Prompt Payment Act. If, at any time during the contract, the City shall not approve or accept the Contractor's work product, and agreement cannot be reached between the City and the Contractor to resolve the problem to the City's satisfaction, the City shall negotiate with the Contractor on a payment for the work completed and usable to the City.

2.8 Related Expenses/Travel Expenses

All costs including travel are to be included in your bid. The City will not accept any additional costs.

2.9 Payment Method

The City of Fort Lauderdale has implemented a Procurement Card (P-Card) program which changes how payments are remitted to its vendors. The City has transitioned from traditional paper checks to payment by credit card via MasterCard or Visa. This allows you as a vendor of the City of Fort Lauderdale to receive your payment fast and safely. No more waiting for checks to be printed and mailed. Payments will be made utilizing the City’s P-Card (MasterCard or Visa).

Accordingly, firms must presently have the ability to accept credit card payment or take whatever steps necessary to implement acceptance of a credit card before the commencement of a contract. See Contract Payment Method form attached.

2.10 Mistakes

The Bidder shall examine this ITB carefully. The submission of a bid shall be prima facie evidence that the Bidder has full knowledge of the scope, nature, and quality of the work to be performed;

the detailed requirements of the specifications; and the conditions under which the work is to be performed. Ignorance of the requirements will not relieve the Bidder from liability and obligations under the Contract.

2.11 Acceptance of Bids / Minor Irregularities

2.11.1 The City reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids, part of bids, and to waive minor irregularities or variances to specifications contained in bids which do not make the bid conditional in nature and minor irregularities in the solicitation process. A minor irregularity shall be a variation from the solicitation that does not affect the price of the contract or does not give a bidder an advantage or benefit not enjoyed by other bidders, does not adversely impact the interests of other firms, or does not affect the fundamental fairness of the solicitation process. The City also reserves the right to reissue an ITB.

2.11.2 The City reserves the right to disqualify Bidder during any phase of the competitive solicitation process and terminate for cause any resulting contract upon evidence of collusion with intent to defraud or other illegal practices on the part of the Bidder.

2.12 Modification of Services

2.12.1 While this contract is for services provided to the department referenced in this ITB, the City may require similar work for other City departments. Successful Bidder agrees to take on such work unless such work would not be considered reasonable or becomes an undue burden to the Successful Bidder.

2.12.2 The City reserves the right to delete any portion of the work at any time without cause, and if such right is exercised by the City, the total fee shall be reduced in the same ratio as the estimated cost of the work deleted bears to the estimated cost of the work originally planned. If work has already been accomplished and approved by the City on any portion of a contract resulting from this ITB, the Successful Bidder shall be paid for the work completed on the basis of the estimated percentage of completion of such portion to the total project cost.

2.12.3 The City may require additional items or services of a similar nature but not specifically listed in the contract. The Successful Bidder agrees to provide such items or services and shall provide the City prices on such additional items or services.

If the price(s) offered are not acceptable to the City, and the situation cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of the City, the City reserves the right to procure those items or services from other vendors, or to cancel the contract upon giving the Successful Bidder thirty (30) days written notice.

2.12.4 If the Successful Bidder and the City agree on modifications or revisions to the task elements, after the City has approved work to begin on a particular task or project, and a budget has been established for that task or project, the Successful Bidder will submit a revised budget to the City for approval prior to proceeding with the work.

2.13 Non-Exclusive Contract

Bidder agrees and understands that the contract shall not be construed as an exclusive arrangement and further agrees that the City may, at any time, secure similar or identical services from another vendor at the City’s sole option.

2.14 Sample Contract Agreement

A sample of the formal agreement template, which may be required to be executed by the awarded vendor can be found at our website.

2.15 Responsiveness

In order to be considered responsive to the solicitation, the firm’s bid shall fully conform in all material respects to the solicitation and all of its requirements, including all form and substance.

2.16 Responsibility

In order to be considered as a responsible firm, firm shall be fully capable to meet all of the requirements of the solicitation and subsequent contract, must possess the full capability, including financial and technical, to perform as contractually required, and must be able to fully document the ability to provide good faith performance.

2.17 Minimum Qualifications

To be eligible for award of a contract in response to this solicitation, the Bidder must demonstrate that they have successfully completed services, as specified in the Technical Specifications / Scope of Services section of this solicitation, are normally and routinely engaged in performing such services, and are properly and legally licensed to perform such work. In addition, the Bidder must have no conflict of interest with regard to any other work performed by the Bidder for the City of Fort Lauderdale.

To be eligible for award of a contract in response to this solicitation, the Bidder must possess at time of bid submittal all licenses listed in Section 3.2 A-C.

2.17.1 Firm or principals shall have no record of judgments, pending lawsuits against the City or criminal activities involving moral turpitude and not have any conflicts of interest that have not been waived by the City Commission.

2.17.2 Neither firm nor any principal, officer, or stockholder shall be in arrears or in default of any debt or contract involving the City, (as a party to a contract, or otherwise); nor have failed to perform faithfully on any previous contract with the City.

2.18 Lobbying Activities

ALL CONTRACTORS PLEASE NOTE: Any contractor submitting a response to this solicitation must comply, if applicable, with City of Fort Lauderdale Ordinance No. C-11-42, and Resolution No. 07-101, Lobbying Activities. Copies of Ordinance No. C-11-42 and Resolution No. 07-101 may be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office, located at 1 East Broward Boulevard, Suite 444, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301.

2.19 Local Business Preference

2.19.1 Section 2-186, Code of Ordinances of the City of Fort Lauderdale, provides for a local business preference. In order to be considered for a local business preference, a Bidder must include the Local Business Preference Certification Statement of this ITB, as applicable to the local business preference class claimed at the time of Bid submittal:

2.19.2 Upon formal request of the City, based on the application of a Local Business Preference the Bidder shall within ten (10) calendar days submit the following documentation to the Local Business Preference Class claimed:

a. Copy of City of Fort Lauderdale current year business tax receipt, or Broward County current year business tax receipt, and

b. List of the names of all employees of the Bidder and evidence of employees’ residence within the geographic bounds of the City of Fort Lauderdale or Broward County, as the case may be, such as current Florida driver’s license, residential utility bill (water, electric, telephone, cable television), or other type of similar documentation acceptable to the City.

2.19.3 Failure to comply at time of Bid submittal shall result in the Bidder being found ineligible for the local business preference.

2.19.4 The complete local business preference ordinance may be found on the City’s web site:

Click Here

2.19.5 Definitions

a. The term "Class A business" shall mean any business that has established and agrees to maintain a permanent place of business located in a non-residential zone, staffed with full-time employees within the limits of the city, and shall maintain a staffing level for the proposed work of at least fifty percent (50%) who are residents of the City of Fort Lauderdale.

b. The term "Class B business" shall mean any business that has established and agrees to maintain a permanent place of business located in a non-residential zone, staffed with full-time employees within the limits of the city, or shall maintain a staffing level for the proposed work of at least fifty percent (50%) who are residents of the City of Fort Lauderdale.

c. The term "Class C business" shall mean any business that has established and agrees to maintain a permanent place of business located in a non-residential zone, staffed with full-time employees within the limits of Broward County.

d. The term "Class D business" shall mean any business that does not qualify as a Class A, Class B, or Class C business.

2.20 Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Preference

2.20.1 Section 2-185, Code of Ordinances of the City of Fort Lauderdale, provides for a disadvantaged business preference. In order to be considered for a disadvantaged business preference, a Bidder must include a certification from a government agency, as applicable to the disadvantaged business preference class claimed at the time of Bid/Proposal submittal:

2.20.2 Upon formal request of the City, based on the application of a Disadvantaged Business

Preference the Bidder shall within ten (10) calendar days submit the following documentation to the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Preference Class claimed:

a. Copy of City of Fort Lauderdale current year business tax receipt, or the Tri-County

(Broward, Dade, West Palm Beach) current year business tax receipt, or proof of active Sunbiz status and

b. List of the names of all employees of the Bidder and evidence of employees’ residence within the geographic bounds of the City of Fort Lauderdale or the Tri- County, as the case may be, such as current Florida driver’s license, residential utility bill (water, electric, telephone, cable television), or other type of similar documentation acceptable

2.20.3 Failure to comply at time of Bid/Proposal submittal shall result in the Bidder being found ineligible for the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Preference business preference.

2.20.4 The complete disadvantaged business preference ordinance may be found on the City’s web site: Click Here

2.20.5 Definitions

a. The term "Disadvantaged Class 1 Enterprise" shall mean any disadvantaged business enterprise that has established and agrees to maintain a permanent place of business located in a non-residential zone, staffed with full-time employees within the limits of the city, and provides supporting documentation of its City of Fort Lauderdale business tax and disadvantaged certification as established in the city’s Procurement Manual.

b. The term "Disadvantaged Class 2 Enterprise” shall mean any disadvantaged business enterprise that has established and agrees to maintain a permanent place of business within the limits of the city with full-time employees and provides supporting documentation of its City of Fort Lauderdale business tax and disadvantaged certification as established in the city’s Procurement Manual.

c. The term "Disadvantaged Class 3 Enterprise” shall mean any disadvantaged business enterprise that has established and agrees to maintain a permanent place of business located in a non-residential zone, staffed with full-time employees within the limits of the Tri-County area and provides supporting documentation of its City of Fort Lauderdale business tax and disadvantaged certification as established in the City’s Procurement Manual.

d. The term “Disadvantaged Class 4 Enterprise” shall mean any disadvantaged business enterprise that does not qualify as a Class A, Class B, or Class C business, but is located in the State of Florida and provides supporting documentation of its disadvantaged certification as established in the City’s Procurement Manual.

2.21 Protest Procedure

2.21.1 Any Bidder who is not recommended for award of a contract and who alleges a failure by the City to follow the city’s procurement ordinance or any applicable law, may follow the protest procedure as found in the city’s procurement ordinance within five (5) days after a notice of intent to award is posted on the city’s web site at the following link: Click Here

2.21.2 The complete protest ordinance may be found on the city’s web site at the following link: Click Here

2.22 Public Entity Crimes

Contractor represents that the execution of this Agreement will not violate the Public Entity Crime Act, Section 287.133, Florida Statutes (2024), as may be amended or revised, which essentially provides that a person or affiliate who is a contractor, consultant, or other provider and who has been placed on the convicted vendor list following a conviction for a public entity crime may not submit a bid on a contract to provide any goods or services to City, may not submit a bid on a contract with City for the construction or repair of a public building or public work, may not submit bids on leases of real property to City, may not be awarded or perform work as a contractor, supplier, subcontractor, or consultant under an Agreement with City, and may not transact any business with City in excess of the threshold amount provided in Section 287.017, Florida Statutes (2024), as may be amended or revised, for category two purchases for a period of 36 months from the date of being placed on the convicted vendor list. Violation of this Section shall result in termination of this Agreement and recovery of all monies paid by City pursuant to this Agreement and may result in debarment from City’s competitive procurement activities.

2.23 Subcontractors

2.23.1 If the Contractor proposes to use subcontractors in the course of providing these services to the City, this information shall be a part of the bid/proposal response. Such information shall be subject to review, acceptance, and approval of the City, prior to any contract award. The City reserves the right to approve or disapprove of any subcontractor candidate in its best interest and to require Contractor to replace subcontractor with one that meets City approval.

2.23.2 Contractor shall ensure that all of Contractor’s subcontractors perform in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Contract. Contractor shall be fully responsible for all of Contractor’s subcontractors’ performance, and liable for any of Contractor’s subcontractors’ non-performance and all of Contractor’s subcontractors’ acts and omissions. Contractor shall defend, at Contractor’s expense, counsel being subject to the City’s approval or disapproval, and indemnify and hold harmless the City and the City’s officers, employees, and agents from and against any claim, lawsuit, third-party action, or judgment, including any award of attorney fees and any award of costs, by or in favor of any Contractor’s subcontractors for payment for work performed for the City.

2.23.3 Contractor shall require all its subcontractors to provide the required insurance coverage as well as any other coverage that the contractor may consider necessary, and any deficiency in the coverage or policy limits of said subcontractors will be the sole responsibility of the contractor.

2.24 Bid Security – Not Applicable

2.26 Insurance Requirements

2.26.1 As a condition precedent to the effectiveness of this Agreement, during the term of this As a condition precedent to the effectiveness of this Agreement, during the term of this Agreement and during any renewal or extension term of this Agreement, Contractor, at its sole expense, shall provide insurance of such types and with such terms and limits as noted below. Providing proof of and maintaining adequate insurance coverage are material obligations of Contractor.

Contractor shall provide the City a certificate of insurance evidencing such coverage. Contractor’s insurance coverage shall be primary insurance for all applicable policies, in respect to the City’s interests for this Agreement. The limits of coverage under each policy maintained by Contractor shall not be interpreted as limiting Contractor’s liability and obligations under this Agreement. All insurance policies shall be through insurers authorized or eligible to write insurance policies in the State of Florida and possess an A.M. Best rating of A-, VII or better, subject to approval by the City’s Risk Manager.

The coverages, limits, and/or endorsements required herein protect the interests of the City, and these coverages, limits, and/or endorsements shall in no way be relied upon by Contractor for assessing the extent or determining appropriate types and limits of coverage to protect Contractor against any loss exposures, whether as a result of this Agreement or otherwise. The requirements contained herein, as well as the City’s review or acknowledgement, are not intended to and shall not in any manner limit or qualify the liabilities and obligations assumed by Contractor under this Agreement.

The following insurance policies and coverages are required:

(Send these requirements to your insurance agent to be sure you can meet the expectations of the Agreement. The City must receive a thorough and accurate Certificate of Insurance upon execution of the Agreement.)

Commercial General Liability Coverage must be afforded under a Commercial General Liability policy with limits not less than:

• $1,000,000 each occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate for Bodily Injury, Property Damage, and Personal and Advertising Injury

• $1,000,000 each occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate for Products and Completed Operations

Policy must include coverage for contractual liability and independent contractors.

The City, a Florida municipality, its officials, employees, and volunteers are to be included as an additional insured with a CG 20 26 04 13 Additional Insured – Designated Person or Organization Endorsement or similar endorsement providing equal or broader Additional Insured Coverage with respect to liability arising out of activities performed by or on behalf of Contractor. The coverage shall contain no special limitation on the scope of protection afforded to the City, its officials, employees, and volunteers.

Business Automobile Liability Coverage must be afforded for all Owned, Hired, Scheduled, and Non-Owned vehicles for Bodily Injury and Property Damage in an amount not less than $1,000,000 combined single limit each accident.

If Contractor does not own vehicles, Contractor shall maintain coverage for Hired and Non-Owned Auto Liability, which may be satisfied by way of endorsement to the Commercial General Liability policy or separate Business Auto Liability policy.

Workers’ Compensation and Employer’s Liability Coverage must be afforded per Chapter 440, Florida Statutes. Any person or entity performing work for or on behalf of the City must provide Workers’ Compensation insurance. Exceptions and exemptions will be allowed by the City’s Risk Manager, if they are in accordance with Florida Statute. Contractors ineligible for a State exemption certificate agree that they are excluded from any benefits, from the City, afforded under Chapter 440, Florida Statutes.

Contractor waives, and Contractor shall ensure that Contractor’s insurance carrier waives, all subrogation rights against the City, its officials, employees, and volunteers for all losses or damages. The City requires the policy to be endorsed with WC 00 03 13 Waiver of our Right to Recover from Others or equivalent.

Contractor must be in compliance with all applicable State and federal workers’ compensation laws, including the U.S. Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act and the Jones Act, if applicable.

Insurance Certificate Requirements

a. Contractor shall provide the City with valid Certificates of Insurance (binders are unacceptable) no later than ten (10) days prior to the start of work contemplated in this Agreement.

b. Contractor shall provide to the City a Certificate of Insurance having a thirty (30) day notice of cancellation; ten (10) days’ notice if cancellation is for nonpayment of premium.

c. In the event that the insurer is unable to accommodate the cancellation notice requirement, it shall be the responsibility of Contractor to provide the proper notice. Such notification will be in writing by registered mail, return receipt requested, and addressed to the certificate holder.

d. In the event the Agreement term or any surviving obligation of Contractor following expiration or early termination of the Agreement goes beyond the expiration date of the insurance policy, Contractor shall provide the City with an updated Certificate of Insurance no later than ten (10) days prior to the expiration of the insurance currently in effect. The City reserves the right to suspend the Agreement until this requirement is met.

e. The Certificate of Insurance shall indicate whether coverage is provided under a claims-made or occurrence form. If any coverage is provided on a claims-made form, the Certificate of Insurance must show a retroactive date, which shall be the effective date of the initial contract or prior.

f. The City shall be included as an Additional Insured on all liability policies, with the exception of Workers’ Compensation.

g. The City shall be granted a Waiver of Subrogation on Contractor’s Workers’ Compensation insurance policy.

h. The title of the Agreement, Bid/Contract number, or other identifying reference must be listed on the Certificate of Insurance.

The Certificate Holder should read as follows:

City of Fort Lauderdale Attn: Parks and Recreation Department 401 SE 21st Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

Contractor has the sole responsibility for payment of all insurance premiums and shall be fully and solely responsible for any costs or expenses as a result of a coverage deductible, co-insurance penalty, or self-insured retention; including any loss not covered because of the application of such deductible, co-insurance penalty, self-insured retention, or coverage exclusion or limitation. Any costs for including the City as an Additional Insured shall be at Contractor’s expense.

If Contractor’s primary insurance policy/policies do not meet the minimum requirements as set forth in this Agreement, Contractor may provide evidence of an Umbrella/Excess insurance policy to comply with this requirement.

Contractor’s insurance coverage shall be primary insurance as applied to the City’s interests for this Agreement, its officials, employees, and volunteers. Any insurance or self-insurance maintained by the City shall be non-contributory.

Any exclusion or provision in any insurance policy maintained by Contractor that excludes coverage required in this Agreement shall be deemed unacceptable and shall be considered breach of contract.

All required insurance policies must be maintained until the contract work has been accepted by the City, or until this Agreement is terminated, whichever is later. Any lapse in coverage shall be considered breach of contract. In addition, Contractor must provide to the City confirmation of coverage renewal via an updated certificate of insurance should any policies expire prior to the expiration of this Agreement. The City reserves the right to review, at any time, coverage forms and limits of Contractor’s insurance policies.

Contractor shall provide notice of any and all claims, accidents, and any other occurrences associated with this Agreement to Contractor’s insurance company or companies and the City’s Risk Management office as soon as practical.

It is Contractor’s responsibility to ensure that any and all of Contractor’s independent contractors and subcontractors comply with these insurance requirements. All coverages for independent contractors and subcontractors shall be subject to all of the applicable requirements stated herein.

Any and all deficiencies are the responsibility of Contractor. The City reserves the right to adjust insurance limits from time to time at its discretion with notice to Contractor.

2.27 Insurance – Sub-Contractors

Contractor shall require all its Sub-Contractors to provide the aforementioned coverage as well as any other coverage that the Contractor may consider necessary, and any deficiency in the coverage or policy limits of said Sub-Contractors will be the sole responsibility of the Contractor.

2.28 Insurance for Collection of Credit Card Payments – Not Applicable

2.29 Award of Contract

Contractor must bid on all items. Partial bids will not be considered.

The City also reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids, part of bids, and to waive minor irregularities or variations to specifications contained in bids, and minor irregularities in the bidding process. The City also reserves the right to award the contract on a split order basis, lump sum basis, individual item basis, or such combination as shall best serve the interest of the City.

A Contract (the “Agreement”) may be awarded by the City Commission. The City reserves the right to execute or not execute, as applicable, a contract with the Bidder(s) that is determined to be in the City’s best interests. The City reserves the right to award a contract to more than one Bidder, at the sole and absolute discretion of the in the City.

IN THE EVENT OF ANY CONFLICT OR DISCREPANCY BETWEEN BID/PROPOSAL PRICE(S) SUBMITTED BY

BIDDER/PROPOSER ELECTRONICALLY INTO THE CITY’S ON-LINE STRATEGIC SOURCING PLATFORM

UNIT PRICE FIELD(S), ANY OTHER FORMS OR ATTACHMENTS (WHETHER PART OF THE CITY’S

SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS OR DOCUMENTS CREATED AND UPLOADED BY THE BIDDER/PROPOSER), OR

ANOTHER SECTION/FIELD OF THE SYSTEM, THE ONLINE UNIT PRICE(S) INPUTTED ELECTRONICALLY

INTO THE SYSTEM BY BIDDER/PROPOSER SHALL GOVERN.

2.30 Damage to Public or Private Property

Extreme care shall be taken to safeguard all existing facilities, site amenities, irrigation systems, vehicles, etc. on or around the job site. Damage to public and/or private property shall be the responsibility of the Contractor and shall be repaired and/or replaced at no additional cost

2.31 Safety

The Contractor(s) shall adhere to the Florida Department of Transportation’s Uniform manual on Traffic Control for construction and maintenance work zones when working on or near a roadway. It will be the sole responsibility of the Contractor to make themselves and their employees fully aware of these provisions, especially those applicable to safety.

2.32 Uncontrollable Circumstances ("Force Majeure")

The City and Contractor will be excused from the performance of their respective obligations under this agreement when and to the extent that their performance is delayed or prevented by any circumstances beyond their control including, fire, flood, explosion, strikes or other labor disputes, act of God or public emergency, war, riot, civil commotion, malicious damage, act or omission of any governmental authority, delay or failure or shortage of any type of transportation, equipment, or service from a public utility needed for their performance, provided that:

2.32.1 The non-performing party gives the other party prompt written notice describing the particulars of the Force Majeure including, but not limited to, the nature of the occurrence and its expected duration, and continues to furnish timely reports with respect thereto during the period of the Force Majeure;

2.32.2 The excuse of performance is of no greater scope and of no longer duration than is required by the Force Majeure;

2.32.3 No obligations of either party that arose before the Force Majeure causing the excuse of performance are excused as a result of the Force Majeure; and

2.32.4 The non-performing party uses its best efforts to remedy its inability to perform.

Notwithstanding the above, performance shall not be excused under this Section for a period in excess of two (2) months, provided that in extenuating circumstances, the City may excuse performance for a longer term.

Economic hardship of the Contractor will not constitute Force Majeure. The term of the agreement shall be extended by a period equal to that during which either party's performance is suspended under this Section.

2.33 Canadian Companies

In the event Contractor is a corporation organized under the laws of any province of Canada or is a Canadian federal corporation, the City may enforce in the United States of America or in Canada or in both countries a judgment entered against the Contractor. The Contractor waives any and all defenses to the City’s enforcement in Canada, of a judgment entered by a court in the United States of America. All monetary amounts set forth in this Contract are in United States dollars.

2.34 News Releases/Publicity

News releases, publicity releases, or advertisements relating to this contract, or the tasks or projects associated with the project shall not be made without prior City approval.

2.35 Approved Equal or Alternative Product Bids – Not Applicable

2.36 Contract Period

The initial contract term shall commence upon final execution of the contract by the City and shall expire two (2) years from that date or the day after the current contract expires, whichever is later.

The City reserves the right to extend the contract for additional three (3) one-year terms providing all terms conditions and specifications remain the same, both parties agree to the extension, and such extension is approved by the City.

In the event services are scheduled to end because of the expiration of this contract, the Contractor shall continue the service upon the request of the City as authorized by the awarding authority. The extension period shall not extend for more than 270 days beyond the expiration date of the existing contract. The Contractor shall be compensated for the service at the rate in effect when this extension clause is invoked by the City.

2.37 Cost Adjustments – Not Applicable

2.38 Service Test Period

If the Contractor has not previously performed the services to the city, the City reserves the right to require a test period to determine if the Contractor can perform in accordance with the requirements of the contact, and to the City's satisfaction. Such test period can be from thirty to ninety days, and will be conducted under all specifications, terms and conditions contained in the contract. This trial period will then become part of the initial contract period.

A performance evaluation will be conducted prior to the end of the test period and that evaluation will be the basis for the City's decision to continue with the Contractor or to select another Contractor (if applicable).

2.39 Contract Coordinator

The City may designate a Contract Coordinator whose principal duties shall be:

• Liaison with Contractor.

• Coordinate and approve all work under the contract.

• Resolve any disputes.

• Assure consistency and quality of Contractor's performance.

• Schedule and conduct Contractor performance evaluations and document findings.

• Review and approve for payment all invoices for work performed or items delivered.

2.40 Contractor Performance Reviews and Ratings

The City Contract Coordinator may develop a Contractor performance evaluation report. This report shall be used to periodically review and rate the Contractor's performance under the contract with performance rating as follows:

Excellent Far exceeds requirements.

Good Exceeds requirements Fair Just meets requirements.

Poor Does not meet all requirements, and contractor is subject to penalty provisions under the contact.

Non-compliance Either continued poor performance after notice or a performance level that does not meet a significant portion of the requirements.

This rating makes the Contractor subject to the default or cancellation for cause provisions of the contract.

The report shall also list all discrepancies found during the review period. The Contractor shall be provided with a copy of the report and may respond in writing if he takes exception to the report or wishes to comment on the report. Contractor performance reviews and subsequent reports will be used in determining the suitability of contract extension.

2.41 Substitution of Personnel

It is the intention of the City that the Contractor's personnel proposed for the contract will be available for the contract term. In the event the Contractor wishes to substitute personnel, he shall propose personnel of equal or higher qualifications, and all replacement personnel are subject to City approval. In the event substitute personnel are not satisfactory to the City and the matter cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of the City, the City reserves the right to cancel the Contract for cause. See Section 5.09 General Conditions.

OR

In the event the Contractor wishes to substitute trained, qualified, personnel for those listed in the bid, the City shall receive prior notification and have the right to review, test and approve such substitutions, if deemed necessary. If the City has reasonable evidence to believe that an employee of the Contractor is incompetent, or has performed his or her employment in an objectionable manner, the City shall have the right to require the Contractor to resolve the situation to the City’s satisfactions, provided, however, that the Contractor shall not be required to institute or pursue to completion any action if to do so would violate any law, state statute, city ordinance, contract or employment or union agreement.

2.42 Ownership of Work – Not Applicable

2.43 Condition of Trade-In Equipment – Not Applicable

2.44 Conditions of Trade-In Shipment and Purchase Payment – Not Applicator

2.45 Verification of Employment Status

Any Contractor/Consultant assigned to perform responsibilities under its contract with a State agency is required to utilize the US Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify system (per Executive Order Number 11-02) to verify the employment eligibility of: (a) all persons employed during the contract term by the Contractor to perform employment duties within Florida; and (b) all persons (including subcontractors) assigned by the Contractor to perform work pursuant to the contract with the State agency.

E-VERIFY Affirmation Statement must be completed and submitted with Bidder’s response to this ITB.

2.46 Service Organization Controls – Not Applicable

2.47 Warranties of Usage

Any estimated quantities listed are for information and tabulation purposes only. No warranty or guarantee of quantities needed is given or implied. It is understood that the Contractor will furnish the City's needs as they arise.

2.48 Rules and Submittals of Bids

The signer of the bid must declare that the only person(s), company or parties interested in the bid as principals are named therein; that the bid is made without collusion with any other person(s), company or parties submitting a bid; that it is in all respects fair and in good faith, without collusion or fraud; and that the signer of the bid has full authority to bind the principal bidder.

2.49 Bid Tabulations/Intent to Award

Notice of Intent to Award Contract/Bid, resulting from the City’s Formal solicitation process may be found at: Click Here. Tabulations of receipt of those parties responding to a formal solicitation may be found at: Click Here. Any interested party may call the Procurement Services Department at 954-828-5933, or email ProcurementSupport@fortlauderdale.gov, for more information.

2.50 Public Records

All bids will become the property of the City. The Bidder’s response to the ITB is a public record pursuant to Florida law, which is subject to disclosure by the City under the State of Florida Public Records Law, Florida Statutes Chapter 119.07 (2024) (“Public Records Law”). The City shall permit public access to all documents, papers, letters, or other material submitted in connection with this ITB and any resulting Contract to be executed for this ITB, subject to the provisions of Chapter 119.07 of the Florida Statutes (2024). Any language contained in the Bidder’s response to the ITB purporting to require confidentiality of any portion of the Bidder’s response to the ITB, except to the extent that certain information is in the City’s opinion a Trade Secret pursuant to Florida law, shall be void. If a Bidder submits any documents or other information to the City which the Bidder claims is Trade Secret information and exempt from Florida Statutes Chapter

119.07 (“Public Records Laws”), the Bidder shall clearly designate that it is a Trade Secret and that it is asserting that the document or information is exempt. The Bidder must specifically identify the exemption being claimed under Florida Statutes 119.07. The City shall be the final arbiter of whether any information contained in the Bidder’s response to the ITB constitutes a Trade Secret.

The city’s determination of whether an exemption applies shall be final, and the Bidder agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the city and the city’s officers, employees, and agent, against any loss or damages incurred by any person or entity as a result of the city’s treatment of records as public records. In the event of Contract award, all documentation produced as part of the Contract shall become the exclusive property of the City.

IF THE CONTRACTOR HAS QUESTIONS REGARDING THE

APPLICATION OF CHAPTER 119, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO THE

CONTRACTOR’S DUTY TO PROVIDE PUBLIC RECORDS RELATING TO

THIS CONTRACT, CONTACT THE CUSTODIAN OF PUBLIC RECORDS

AT PRRCONTRACT@FORTLAUDERDALE.GOV, 954-828-5002, CITY

CLERK’S OFFICE, ONE EAST BROWARD BOULEVARD, SUITE 444,

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA 33301.

Contractor shall:

1. Keep and maintain public records required by the City in order to perform the service.

2. Upon request from the City’s custodian of public records, provide the City with a copy of the requested records or allow the records to be inspected or copied within a reasonable time at a cost that does not exceed the cost provided in Chapter 119, Florida Statutes (2024), as may be amended or revised, or as otherwise provided by law.

3. Ensure that public records that are exempt or confidential and exempt from public records disclosure requirements are not disclosed except as authorized by law for the duration of the contract term and following completion of this contract if the Contractor does not transfer the records to the City.

4. Upon completion of the Contract, transfer, at no cost, to the City all public records in possession of the Contractor or keep and maintain public records required by the City to perform the service. If the Contractor transfers all public records to the City upon completion of this Contract, the Contractor shall destroy any duplicate public records that are exempt or confidential and exempt from public records disclosure requirements. If the Contractor keeps and maintains public records upon completion of this Contract, the Contractor shall meet all applicable requirements for retaining public records. All records stored electronically must be provided to the City, upon request from the City’s custodian of public records, in a format that is compatible with the information technology systems of the City.

2.51 PCI (Payment Card Industry) Compliance - Not Applicable

SECTION III - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS/SCOPE OF SERVICES

3.1 General Information/Intent

The successful Contractor shall furnish all labor, management, supervision, trucks, tractors, mowers, edging equipment, gas, oil, safety equipment, hand trimmers, Personal Protection Equipment, Temporary Traffic Control, and any other equipment necessary for vegetation mowing, weeding, trimming, debris pickup, and any other function that may be required to properly maintain the areas of responsibility. A list of all equipment available to complete the services of this contract should be included with the submission to this Invitation to Bid (ITB).

3.2 Contractor Responsibilities

A. HORTICULTURIST. Contractor shall provide a minimum of one (1) full-time staff person certified through Florida Nurserymen, Growers & Landscape Association (FNGLA) as a Florida Certified Horticultural Professional. At the time of bid submission, the Contractor shall provide a copy of a valid FNGLA FCHP certificate(s) and identify how the licensed person(s) operates within Company.

B. PESTICIDE APPLICATOR. Contractor shall provide a minimum of one (1) full-time staff person certified and licensed through Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) as a Certified Pesticide Applicator in Ornamental & Turf categories. At the time of bid submission, the Contractor shall provide copies of valid FDACS licenses for ornamental & turf and identify how the licensed person(s) operates within Company.

C. GI-BMP. The Contractor shall provide a minimum of one (1) full-time staff person certified by

FDACS with a Limited Certification in Green Industries Best Management Practices (GI-BMP).

At the time of bid submission, the Contractor shall provide copies of valid GI-BMP Certificates.

D. The Contractor shall notify the Contract Coordinator in the event of scheduling delays, changes, or comments/complaints received from the public.

E. The Contractor shall provide sufficient employees to perform safe, thorough and expeditious work.

F. The Contractor shall provide employees who present a neat, clean, well groomed, appearance and shall conduct themselves in a respectable manner while performing the duties of the contract and while on City property.

G. The City may request the Contractor to remove any employee if it is determined that services are not being performed in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract.

H. In accordance with Section 17-7.7 of the City of Fort Lauderdale Code of Ordinances, all work shall be performed no earlier than 7 a.m. and no later than 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Exceptions to this schedule can only be made with the prior approval of the Contract Coordinator.

I. The Contractor shall have a qualified foreman to supervise each crew. As a fully authorized agent of the Contractor, the foreman must be capable of making on-site decisions to perform the work in accordance with the specifications contained in this proposal.

J. The…