Intent_to_Award_Notice_-_ITB_25-10_Horticulturist.pdf

This is an Intent to Award Notice for Invitation to Bid (ITB) 25-10 issued by the Tampa Sports Authority in Tampa, Florida, on behalf of the State of Florida, soliciting horticultural consulting services for Raymond James Stadium. The scope of work includes periodic site inspections, written reports, and recommendations for maintaining the stadium's game field, exterior grass lots, and landscaping beds to NFL standards, with deliverables encompassing soil testing and analysis, watering level assessments, product research and recommendations, quarterly chemical and seed application recommendations, disease and pest monitoring, and annual minimum site visits to additional Tampa Sports Authority properties. A mandatory pre-bid conference is scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Raymond James Stadium (Entrance B/C off Himes Avenue), with bids due on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. via email to bids@tampasportsauthority.com or in-person delivery. The contract award will be made to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, with the Authority reserving the right to conduct post-bid interviews.

Pricing must be submitted on the Authority's designated bid form with hourly rates, travel time rates, and any additional charges subject to prior Tampa Sports Authority management approval, with all applicable taxes excluded from proposals due to the Authority's tax-exempt status. Payment will be made approximately thirty days after invoice approval and site inspection completion by an Authority representative. The required qualifications include a Bachelor's degree in turfgrass management, agronomy, or plant and soil science, Certified Sports Field Manager credentials, and ten or more years of experience with warm-season grass sports fields, along with proof of three similar projects completed in the Southeastern United States within the past five years. Compliance requirements include Workers' Compensation Insurance per Florida statutory requirements, Commercial General Liability Insurance with a $1,000,000 combined single limit, Automobile Liability Insurance with a $1,000,000 combined single limit, E-Verify compliance, a sworn statement regarding public entity crimes, and certification of compliance with drug-free workplace programs. No set-aside designations, restrictions on organization types, or incumbent vendors are referenced in the procurement documents.