Lawn_Maintenance-Murphree_Water_Treatment_Plant_(Addendum_#2_Revision).pdf

GENERAL SOLICITATION DOCUMENT

SOLICITATION-2024-071

LAWN MAINTENANCE-MURPHREE WATER TREATMENT PLANT

Gainesville Regional Utilities

301 SE 4th Avenue

Gainesville, FL 32601

RELEASE DATE: April 17, 2024

DEADLINE FOR QUESTIONS: May 10, 2024

RESPONSE DEADLINE: May 21, 2024, 2:00 pm

RESPONSES MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY TO:

https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/gru https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/gru

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Summary

The purpose of this solicitation is to receive proposals from qualified bidders for grounds maintenance services located at:

• Murphree Water Treatment Plant 1600 NE 53rd Ave, Gainesville, FL 32609

• Elevated Tank #1 1117 NW 5th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601

• Elevated Tank #2 2001 NW 23rd St. Gainesville, FL 32605

• Santa Fe Repump 10906 NW 23rd Ave, Gainesville, FL 32605

• Kelly Repump 801 SE 4th St. Gainesville, FL 32601

• Cross Creek Water Plant adjacent to 13904 SE 174th PL, Hawthorne, FL 32640

The work to be performed in this Contract includes all supervision, labor, equipment, and materials to perform grounds maintenance services. A detailed scope of work is included.

1.2. Contact Information

Zoe King

Procurement

301 SE 4th Ave

Gainesville, FL 32601

Email: kingsl@gru.com

Phone: (352) 393-1251

Department:

Water/Wastewater

1.3. Timeline

Release Project Date April 17, 2024

RSVP To Pre-Proposal Meeting (Mandatory) April 25, 2024, 5:00pm RSVP is required in OpenGov

Pre-Proposal Meeting (Mandatory) April 30, 2024, 9:00am Agenda

1600 NE 53rd Ave, Gainesville, FL 32609, Government-issued photo identification is required for entry into secured facilities.

This meeting with site visits will take around four (4) hours.

Question Submission Deadline May 10, 2024, 12:00pm mailto:kingsl@gru.com tel:(352)393-1251 https://government-project.s3.amazonaws.com/88314/5c98585e-f7be-4a08-8392-a475f0281244_Complete_Vendor_Agenda.pdf

General Solicitation Document #Solicitation-2024-071 Title: Lawn Maintenance-Murphree Water Treatment Plant

Question Response Deadline May 13, 2024, 12:00pm

Proposal Submission Deadline May 21, 2024, 2:00pm

2. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS/SCOPE OF WORK

2.1. Scope

The provision contained in this section are indented to complement, supplement, or modify the Invitation/instructions to Bidders and the Proposal Specifications, and, in case of any conflict with such sections, the intent of any and all Technical Specifications, and in case of any conflict with such sections, the intent of any and all Technical Specifications shall govern.

2.2. Detailed Description

The work performed in this contract includes all supervision, labor, equipment, and materials to perform grounds maintenance services at Murphree Water Treatment Plant, Gainesville, Florida, including the following:

2.3. General Mowing

• Mow every fourteen (14) days from October 1st through March 31st for a minimum of sixteen (16) times per year.

• Mowing height of cut at each moving visit should not be more than five (5) inches.

• Additional mowing may be requested on an as needed basis from November 1st through February 28th.

• Mowing passes will be oriented so that grass clippings are not blown directly onto graveled surfaces.

• Should wet conditions result in rutting or other damage to the grading or grass cover, the Contractor should stop work on the area affected and contact GRU's representative to discuss an alternate schedule.

• The Contractor will be responsible for repair of all damage to turf caused by the Contractor's staff and equipment.

• Additional mowing may be requested on an as needed basis.

• Guards should be in the down position at all times.

2.4. String Trimming

• String trim around all objects not accessible by a mower.

• String trimming height should not be more than five (5) inches.

• All structures, signs, poles obstructions and trees shall be string trimmed around at every mowing cycle as required.

• Scalping of turf or girdling of trees will not be accepted.

2.5. Edging

• Mechanical edging is required along walkways, driveways, curbs, asphalt, parking areas, mulched areas and flowerbeds.

• Loose edging material must be removed from the site and properly disposed of offsite at the Contractor's expense.

2.6. Tree, Shrubs and Pruning

• The Contractor shall remove fallen branches and limbs upon each visit to GRU properties ad disposed of offsite at the Contractor's expense.

• The Contractor shall notify the GRU representative of dead or damaged trees, shrubs or any landscaping plants with visible damage due to disease, nutrient deficiency, or water starvation.

• The Contractor shall notify GRU of damaged trees or limbs, which could become a safety hazard.

• Shrubs and small trees shall be pruned monthly and shaped during the growing season to promote compact growth and to preserve the natural form of the specimens.

• Hedges are to be maintained in an appropriate shape and size to fit the building and landscape architecture.

• Threes shall be pruned once a year in the spring following the instructions of a GRU representative.

• Low hanging limbs should be trimmed flush to the truck as needed.

• Trees or brush that were not intentionally planted and are smaller than four (4) inches in diameter shall be removed.

• All trees along the entrance of the water reclamation plants should be cleared of Spanish moss annually.

2.7. Fence Lines and Perimeter Walls.

• The Contractor shall manually clear and maintain all fence lines and perimeter walls on the subject property of any growth with a diameter less than four inches.

• Limbs that are touching a fence or wall shall be trimmed flush to the trunk or stem on any tree or brush larger than four inches.

• Trees or brush that were not intentionally planted and are smaller than four-inch diameter shall be removed.

• All fences at all facilities being moved shall be cleared of vegetation including (Spanish moss) on a monthly basis.

2.8. Blowing

• Parking lots, driveways, walkways, door entrances and outside break areas must be blown of leaves, dirt and debris after every visit.

• All excess material shall be gathered and disposed of offsite.

• Grass clippings must be kept out of road and walkways.

2.9. Trash/Litter Debris Pick Up

• At each service, trash and other debris must be picked up and removed from the site along with limbs, sticks, palm fronds, or other natural debris.

• Trash includes bottles, cans, paper or other man-made materials.

• The Contractor is responsible for the proper disposal of all materials at an offsite location.

2.10. Completion and Inspection

• The Contractor must provide GRU's representative a progress report every fourteen (14) days.

• GRU's representative will inspect the work for purpose of determining that all undesirable vegetation is removed as well as all trash/debris.

• Problems identified by GRU to the Contractor shall be remedied within fourteen (14) business days from such notice.

• Payment may be delayed or withheld if the maintenance services have not been completed in accordance with the Contract in its entirety.

2.11. Contractor Responsibilities

• The Contractor shall use, and be responsible for, his own equipment.

• The Contractor assumes all responsibility for any and all damage caused by him or his equipment to GRU property or surrounding property.

2.12. Safety

• The Contractor is responsible for ensuring that all personnel perform the work in accordance to all

Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards.

• The Contractor shall provide his staff with appropriate safety equipment, including, but limited to the following: safety googles, chain guards on mowers, appropriate work attire (including leather shoes with anti-skid soles), gloves, and hardhats where required, etc.

• If the Contractor's personnel does not utilize proper safety equipment, GRU staff will not allow the personnel to continue the work until the situation has been corrected.

• Contractor will be required to have all moving guards and protective measures in operation when mowing.

• Mowing with equipment without guards or with guards lifted is unacceptable and may result in a

Contractor's employee being from prohibited from mowing at GRU facilities or termination of the

Contract.

No herbicides of any kind are permitted to be used at Murphree Water Treatment Facility or other locations listed in this solicitation.

2.13. Authorized Changes to the Scope of Work

• GRU may, without invalidating the Contract, request changes in the work consisting of additions, deletions or other alterations including adding or deleting maintenance sites, provided the changes are within the general scope of the contract.

• All such changes in the work shall be negotiated and mutually agreed upon by both parties, documented through written amendment and shall be performed promptly by the Contractor under the applicable conditions of the Contract.

• All additional grounds maintenance services requested by a GRU representative shall require a written quote and a valid purchase order number issued before work shall commence.

• If the changes are outside of the scope of work, a cost proposal can be provided by the Contractor for the services requested.

2.14. General Details

• If the Contractor defaults or neglects to carry out the work in accordance with the Contract documents or fails to perform any provision of the Contract, GRU may, with or without notice to the Contractor, and without prejudice to any other remedy GRU may have, make good such deficiencies and the cost thereof shall be charged to the Contractor.

• The Contractor shall be responsible for repairing and the cost of repairing any damage to grading and grass cover caused by mowing in too wet conditions or excessive rutting and scalping.

2.15. Equipment

• Blades will be sharp at all times to insure sharp cut and uniform distribution of a quality cut at all times.

• All mowing equipment must be rated at minimum of 24 HP.

• Mowing equipment shall be equipped with properly installed and maintained safety devices recommended by the manufacturer.

• Equipment must be maintained in compliance with all OSHA and safety specifications.

2.16. Special Conditions

• The Contractor must call the Murphree Water Plant guard to obtain entry and exit to any site where services will be performed.

• Signing is mandatory before commencing work and sign-out is mandatory immediately after leaving the site.

• Failure to sign-in, sign-out, will result in delayed or non-payment.

• The Contractor will be assigned a contract manager that will be GRU's single point of contact with a minimum of five (5) years of experience in managing comparable services, including but not limited to, lawn maintenance, landscaping, and field services.

Government-issued photo identification is required for entry into secured facilities.

2.17. Locations and Schedules

• One (1) month schedules are mandatory for servicing all GRU locations.

• Schedules must be submitted to GRU two (2) weeks in advance.

Biweekly Mowing Includes:

Murphree Water Plant North Wellfield Well 16

Well 1 Cross Creek Water Plant (Approx. .25 acres)

Well 7 Kelly Re-pump Station (Approx. 1 acres)

Well 8 Santa Fe Re-pump Station (Approx. 3 acres)

Well 9 Elevated Tank #1 (Approx. .5 acres)

Well 11 Elevated Tank #2 (Approx. 4 acres)

North Wellfield Well 12 All ARV vaults

North Wellfield Well 13 All electrical boxes

North Wellfield Well 14 All Transformers on raw water line (along North Wellfield Rd.)

North Wellfield Well 15

• Finish mowing for all areas accessible by zero turn mower including an approximate 8' clearance on the outside of all fenced areas where accessible.

• String trimming around structures not accessible by mower and all fence lines.

• Edging and blowing clear of debris of all sidewalks for all areas included within the fenced area of each facility.

Quarterly Brush hog includes:

Well perimeter 1 (Approx. 2 acres) Well perimeter 9 (Approx. 2 acres)

Well perimeter 2 (Approx. 2 acres) Well perimeter 12 (Approx. 2 acres)

Well perimeter 3 (Approx. 2 acres) Well perimeter 13 (Approx. 2 acres)

Well perimeter 4 (Approx. 2 acres) Well perimeter 14 (Approx. 2 acres)

Well perimeter 7 (Approx. 2 acres) Well perimeter 15 (Approx. 2 acres)

Well perimeter 16 (Approx. 2 acres)

N. Wellfield access road from NW 53rd to end of the road past Well 16. (Approx. 20,000')

W. Easement from NW 53rd Ave to N. perimeter of Well 11. Including monitoring Well sites (Approx.

3000')

3. INSTRUCTIONS

3.1. DEFINITION OF TERMS FOR INSTRUCTIONS

• Addendum/Addenda: Written or graphic document(s) issued prior to the Response due date, which make additions, deletions, or revisions to the solicitation or Contract documents.

• Agreement: A written Contract between two or more Parties. “Contract” and “Agreement” are synonymous.

• Best and Final Offer (BAFO): The final proposal submitted after competitive negotiations are completed that contains the Responders most favorable terms.

• Bid: The written response to a Solicitation.

• Due Date: The date the response is due.

• Non–Responsive: A response that does not meet the material requirements of the solicitation.

• Redacted: The censoring of part of a Response.

• Respondent: An individual or business entity that submits a response to a Solicitation.

• Response: A written document submitted by a Respondent in reply to Solicitation.

• Responsive: A response that conforms in all material respects to the requirements set forth in the

Solicitation.

• Solicitation: A written document issued by an agency to obtain information or pricing for goods and/or services. May also be referred to as an Invitation to Bid, Request for Proposal, Request for Quotation, or

Request for Statement of Qualifications.

• Work: Activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result requested in the scope.

3.2. AUTHORIZED PROCUREMENT REPRESENTATIVE

The Procurement Representative for this Solicitation/Contract is Zoe King. Respondents shall submit all inquiries regarding this bid via GRU e-Procurement Portal, located at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/GRU. Please note the deadline for submitting inquiries. All answers to inquiries will be posted on GRU e-Procurement Portal. Respondents shall click “Follow” on this bid to receive an email notification when answers are posted. It is the responsibility of the respondent to check the website for answers to inquiries.

3.3. MANDATORY PRE-BID MEETING

A mandatory meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 beginning at 9:00 am at 1600 NE 53rd Ave, Gainesville, FL 32609, Government-issued photo identification is required for entry into secured facilities.

This meeting with site visits will take around four (4) hours. Only responses from companies that had a representative in attendance at the Pre-Bid/Proposal meeting will be considered.

Attendees must show government-issued photo identification (driver’s license) for entry into secured facilities.

Representatives arriving to the Pre-Bid/Proposal Meeting more than 10 minutes late will not be allowed to participate in the meeting.

Personal protection equipment will be required for site visit (hardhat, closed shoes, mask, hearing protection, etc.) GRU will not furnish these items.

3.4. EXAMINATION OF SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS AND WORK SITE

A. Prior to responding to the Solicitation, Respondents are responsible for the following: (a) examining the

Solicitation thoroughly, (b) if applicable, visiting the work site to become familiar with local conditions that may affect the cost, progress, performance of furnishing the Work, (c) considering federal, state and local laws and regulations that may impact or affect cost, progress, performance or furnishing of the

Work, (d) studying and carefully correlating Respondent’s observations with the Solicitation, and (e) notifying the Procurement Representative of all conflicts, errors or discrepancies in the Solicitation.

B. Respondents are expected to become fully informed as to the requirements of the Specifications and failure to do so will be at their own risk. Respondents cannot expect to secure relief on the plea of error.

C. A Respondent who is aggrieved in connection with the specifications of this Solicitation may protest in writing to GRU Procurement at least seven (7) business days prior to the Response due date.

3.5. INTERPRETATIONS AND ADDENDA

A. All questions about the meaning or intent of the Solicitation are to be directed to the Procurement

Representative, unless stated otherwise in the Solicitation. Interpretations or clarifications considered necessary in response to such questions will be issued by Addenda sent to all parties recorded as having received the Solicitation. Questions received less than seven (7) business days prior to the Response due date/time may not be answered by the Procurement Representative. Only questions answered by formal written Addenda will be binding.

B. Addenda may also be issued to modify the Solicitation as deemed advisable by the Procurement

Representative.

C. Addenda issued by GRU prior to the Solicitation due date/time are considered binding as if written into the original Solicitation. Respondents are responsible for ensuring that all addenda have been received prior to submitting their Response.

3.6. RESPONSE PREPARATION

A. The Pricing Response Form is included in the Solicitation and should be used to submit pricing information, providing a price for all items listed on the form, unless noted otherwise.

B. All blanks on the Respondent’s Certification Form must be legibly completed in ink (computer printed, typed or handwritten).

C. A Response submitted by a corporation must be executed in the corporate name by the president, a vice-president, or other corporate representative and accompanied by a document showing authorization of such person’s authority. Include the physical address and state of incorporation. A Response submitted by a partnership must be executed in the partnership name and signed by a partner, whose title must appear under the signature, and the physical address of the partnership must be shown below the signature.

D. The names of individuals included on the Respondent’s Certification Form must be legibly printed below signatures (computer printed, typed or handwritten).

E. Respondent must acknowledge receipt of all addenda using the space provided on the Respondent’s

Certification Form.

F. Costs for developing a response to the Solicitation are the sole obligation of the Respondent.

G. Respondent’s pricing must include applicable taxes on items purchased or manufactured by Respondent for the project. GRU is exempt from Florida sales taxes for certain purchases. A “Consumer’s Certificate of

Exemption” is available at www.gru.com .

http://www.gru.com/

3.7. SELECTION PROCESS AND RECOMMENDATION

It is anticipated that the evaluation committee may have discussions based on written proposals received by responsive Respondents. GRU reserves the right to waive discussions should it be deemed unnecessary.

GRU may, at its sole discretion, conduct a Best and Final Offer (BAFO) round to this solicitation. Should this round be conducted, the Procurement Representative will issue a request to include instructions, deadline, and addenda as applicable.

3.8. PRICE

A. The price stated on the Pricing Response Form is firm. Any additional charges that were not included in the Response will not be paid by GRU unless approved in writing by an authorized GRU representative.

Subsequent to Contract formation, pricing inconsistencies on invoices may be grounds to cancel the

Contract.

B. If the Respondent offers discounted pricing, such as prompt payment discounts or volume discounts, it must be clearly stated and explained on the Pricing Response Form. Such discounts, if applicable, will not be used in determining award of the Solicitation.

3.9. DEVIATIONS FROM SPECIFICATIONS

A. Any deviation from this Solicitation must be provided and explained in detail with the Response.

Deviations must be explained on a separate page labeled “Clarifications and Exceptions” and included with the Response. Each clarification and exception must correspond to the specific referenced section in the Solicitation. Otherwise, the Response will be considered in strict compliance with the Solicitation and the selected Respondent will be held accountable for compliance with the Specifications.

B. GRU reserves the right to waive clarifications and exceptions to the Solicitation if determined by GRU to be in GRU’s best interest.

3.10. DISTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION

GRU requires electronic submission of bids and proposals. Submit electronic responses via GRU e- Procurement Portal: https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/GRU. By way of the e-Procurement Portal, responses will be locked and digitally encrypted until the submission deadline passes.

1. Access procurement documents and related information.

2. Receive automatic and instant notifications of government opportunities.

3. Download solicitation documents and specifications online.

4. Submit your bids and proposals online.

5. See all the forms and documents you need to complete in one place.

6. Receive and respond to government requests for quotes immediately.

7. Automatic notification of awards.

For more information about OpenGov, visit https://procurement.opengov.com.

It is the responsibility of the vendor to regularly monitor GRU's eProcurement Portal. Respondents shall click “Follow” on this solicitation to receive all email notifications when answers are posted, addenda issued, & other solicitation notices.

https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/GRU https://procurement.opengov.com/ https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/gru/projects/88314

Ultimately, it is the sole responsibility of each respondent to periodically check the site for any addenda at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/GRU. Vendor failure to retrieve available, required procurement information and include the appropriate documentation and information in solicitation responses may result in disqualification.

3.11. SOLICITATION RESPONSE

A. Bids may be received up to but not later than 2:00 pm on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 via GRU e-Procurement

Portal located at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/GRU. GRU e-Procurement Portal Clock is the official clock for the determination of all deadline dates and times. Without exception, responses will not be accepted after the submission deadline regardless of any technical difficulties such as poor internet connections. Gainesville Regional Utilities strongly recommends completing your response well ahead of the deadline. By way of the e-Procurement Portal, responses will be locked and digitally encrypted until the submission deadline passes.

B. Responses will be electronically unsealed publicly opened at the time and place indicated in the

Solicitation and will be available for inspection upon notice of award or intended Award, or within thirty

(30) calendar days after the opening of Responses, whichever occurs first. Prices may be publicly disclosed on GRU’s eProcurement Portal at the sole discretion of GRU Procurement.

C. The Respondent’s Certification Form must be submitted with the Response. If required, a Bid Bond and other documents must be provided with the Response. If a Bid Bond is required by the Solicitation and not included the response will be deemed non-responsive.

D. A “No-Bid” Response can be submitted for those who choose not to participate in the Solicitation. This designation can be submitted in GRU’s eProcurement Portal:

https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/gru/projects/88314

3.12. SUBMITTING QUESTIONS AND RECEIVING RESPONSES

Respondents shall submit all inquiries regarding this bid via GRU e-Procurement Portal, located at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/GRU. Please note the deadline for submitting inquiries: 12:00 pm on Friday, May 10, 2024. All answers to inquiries will be posted on GRU e-Procurement Portal.

Respondents shall click “Follow” on this solicitation to receive all email notifications when answers are posted, addenda issued, & other solicitation notices. It is the responsibility of the respondent to check the website for answers to inquiries.

Addenda Notification and Acknowledgement Addenda Notification:

Respondents are required to register for an account via GRU e-Procurement Portal hosted by OpenGov.

Once the respondent has completed registration, they will receive addenda notifications to their email by clicking “Follow” on this project. Ultimately, it is the sole responsibility of each respondent to periodically check the site for any addenda at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/GRU.

3.13. MODIFICATION OR WITHDRAWAL OF A RESPONSE

A. Changes to a vendor’s bid submittals in GRU's eProcurement Portal can be made up to the deadline date for the bid submittal.

B. After responses have been opened, corrections to the response are permitted only to the extent that

1. Respondent can show by clear and convincing evidence that there was a material and substantial mistake in the preparation of its Response;

2. the nature of the mistake is evident; and https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/GRU https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/GRU https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/gru/projects/88314 https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/GRU https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/GRU https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/gru/projects/88314

3. the intended pricing is evident.

3.14. TERMS OF AWARD

Award will be made to the best evaluated Contractor for response based on price, experience, equipment and staffing plan for each individual line item, or any combination of line items, as GRU determines to be in its best interest.

1. GRU reserves the right to reject any and all Responses, or any part thereof, to waive any and all informalities or irregularities, and the right to disregard all nonconforming, nonresponsive, unbalanced or conditional Responses. A responsible Respondent and any selected subcontractors, suppliers, other persons, and/or organizations proposed to perform or furnish the Work have the capacity in all respects to fully perform the Contract requirements and the experience, integrity, reliability, capacity, facilities, equipment, and credit to ensure good faith performance, such capacity and responsibility to be determined solely by GRU. GRU may conduct such investigation as GRU deems necessary to establish the responsibility, qualifications and financial ability of Respondent(s), proposed subcontractors, material suppliers, individuals, or entities to perform the Work in accordance with the Contract. Such information may include, but shall not be limited to, current financial statements, bank records, verifications of availability of equipment and personnel and past performance records.

2. Discrepancies in the multiplication of units of Work and unit prices will be resolved in favor of the unit prices. Discrepancies between the indicated sum of any column of figures and the correct sum thereof will be resolved in favor of the correct sum.

3. If the Contract is awarded, GRU will give the successful Respondent a Notice of Intent to Award within sixty (60) calendar days after the Solicitation due date. All Responses must remain valid for sixty (60) calendar days from the Solicitation due date.

4. When GRU gives a Notice of Award to the successful Respondent, it will be accompanied by the required number of unsigned counterparts of the Contract (or Purchase Order, as applicable) with all attachments. Within fifteen (15) calendar days thereafter, Respondent must sign and deliver the required number of counterparts of the Contract, attachments, and required Bonds, if applicable.

GRU will ultimately provide a fully signed counterpart to the Respondent.

5. Failure on the part of the successful Respondent to execute a Contract within fifteen (15) calendar days after the notice of acceptance may be just cause for annulment of award.

6. GRU may then accept the Response of the next lowest, responsive, responsible Respondent or re-advertise the Solicitation. If the next lowest, responsive, responsible Response is accepted, this acceptance will bind such Respondent as though it was the original successful Respondent.

7. Protests in respect to the intended award must be filed within three (3) calendar days of notice for purchases that do not require prior approval of the Gainesville Regional Utility Authority (GRUA), and within seven (7) calendar days for purchases that require prior approval of the Gainesville Regional

Utility Authority (GRUA). It is the Respondent’s duty to be informed of the intended award and GRU’s protest procedures.

3.15. TERM OF AGREEMENT

The term of this Contract shall commence on the October 1, 2024 and terminate on November 30, 2025.

Upon mutual agreement between Parties, this Contract may be renewed for four (4) one (1) year.

Beyond the extensions described above, this Contract may be extended for an additional six (6) months to allow for completion of a new solicitation.

3.16. LOBBYING

To ensure fair consideration and consistent and accurate dissemination of information for all proposers, GRU prohibits communication to or with any department, employee, or agent evaluating or considering the proposals during the submission process, except as authorized by the contact person. During the blackout period no person may lobby, as defined herein, on behalf of a competing party in a particular procurement process, GRU officials or employees except the Procurement designated staff contact in the Procurement Department. Violation of this provision shall result in disqualification of the party on whose behalf the lobbying occurred. Lobbying means when any natural person, for compensation, seeks to influence the governmental decision-making, to encourage the passage, defeat or modification of any proposal, recommendation or decision by GRU officials and employees, except as authorized by procurement documents.

3.17. BLACKOUT PERIOD

Respondents to this solicitation or persons acting on their behalf may not contact, between the release of the solicitation and the end of the 72-hour period following the agency posting the notice of intended award, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays, any employee or officer of the executive or legislative branch concerning any aspect of this solicitation, except in writing to the procurement officer or as provided in the solicitation documents. Violation of this provision may be grounds for rejecting a response.

3.18. COLLUSION

A. Only one (1) response from any individual, firm, corporation, organization or agency under the same or different name will be considered for this Solicitation. Submission of more than one response may result in the rejection of all responses from the Respondent.

B. Respondent, by signing the Respondent’s Certification Form, declares that the Response is made without any previous understanding, agreement, or connections with any persons, firms, or corporations responding on the same items and that it is in all respects fair and in good faith without any outside control, collusion or fraud. A non-exclusive manufacturer/distributor relationship does not, in and of itself, constitute a prior understanding, agreement, connection or collusion between Responders.

C. By responding to the Solicitation, the Respondent acknowledges that it has not offered or given any gift or compensation to any GRU officer or employee to secure favorable treatment with respect to being awarded this Contract.

3.19. DEBARMENT/SUSPENSION/TERMINATION.

Debarment/Suspension. The Procurement representative is authorized to suspend a vendor from consideration for award of contracts if there is probable cause to believe that the vendor has engaged in activity which might lead to debarment. The suspension shall be for a period not to exceed three months.

After reasonable notice to the vendor involved and reasonable opportunity for that vendor to be heard, the Procurement representative, after consulting with the GRU Attorney, is authorized to debar a vendor for cause from consideration for award of contracts. The debarment shall be for a period of not more than three years. The causes for debarment include:

(a) Conviction for commission of a criminal offense as an incident to obtaining or attempting to obtain a public or private contract or subcontract, or in the performance of such contract or subcontract, within five years of a proposed award;

(b) Conviction under State or Federal statutes of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, receiving stolen property, or any other offense indicating a lack of business integrity or business honesty which currently, seriously, and directly affects responsibility as a GRU contractor, within five years of a proposed award;

(c) Conviction under state or federal antitrust statutes arising out of the submission of bids or proposals, within five years of a proposed award;

(d) Violation of contract provisions, as set forth below, of a character which is regarded by the Procurement representative to be so serious as to justify debarment action, within five years of a proposed award:

(I) Deliberate failure without good cause to perform in accordance with the specifications or within the time limit provided in the contract; or (II) A record of failure to perform or of unsatisfactory performance in accordance with the terms of one or more contracts; provided that failure to perform or unsatisfactory performance caused by acts beyond the control of the contractor shall not be considered to be a basis for debarment;

(e) For any provision of, or offer, gift or agreement to provide, any gratuity, kickback or offer of employment to any current or former GRU employee in connection with any decision, approval, disapproval, recommendation, or preparation of any part of a program requirement or a purchase requisition, influencing the content of any specification or procurement standard, rendering of advice, investigation, auditing, or in any other advisory capacity in any proceeding or application, request for ruling, determination, claim or controversy or other particular matter, pertaining to any program requirement or a contract or subcontract, or to any solicitation or proposal, within three years of a proposed award;

(f) For any payment, gratuity, kickback or offer of employment to be made by or on behalf of a subcontractor under a contract to the prime contractor or higher tier subcontractor or any person associated therewith, as an inducement for the award of a subcontract or order, within three years of a proposed award;

(g) For retaining a person or soliciting or securing a GRU contract upon an agreement or understanding for a commission, percentage, brokerage, or contingent fee, except for retention of bona fide employees or bona fide established commercial selling agencies for the purpose of securing business, within three years of a proposed award;

(h) During the period of a contract with GRU, employing, or offering employment to, any current GRU employee participating directly or indirectly in the procurement process, within three years of a proposed award;

(i) Any other cause the Procurement representative determines to be so serious and compelling as to affect responsibility as a GRU contractor, including debarment by another governmental entity for any cause listed in this Section.

REJECTION OF BIDS/TERMINATION OF CONTRACT

Previously solicited and/or accepted bids may be rejected or acceptance revoked prior to beginning of performance upon discovery by GRU that the respondent or its affiliates have committed any act which would have been cause for debarment, or were on the convicted vendor list, at or prior to the acceptance of the bid.

If GRU discovers, after a contract is awarded and performance has begun, that the respondent or its affiliates have committed any act subsequent to or prior to award or acceptance which would have been cause for debarment had it been discovered prior to award or acceptance, GRU may consider such to be a material breach of the contract and such shall constitute cause for termination of the contract.

4. PRICING RESPONSE TABLES

LUMP SUM PRICING

In the monthly cost box, place the lump sum for all biweekly mowing locations.

Line Item Description Unit of Measure Monthly Cost

1 Lump sum for all biweekly mowing locations per service visit

BIWEEKLY MOWING

Place the cost for each location in the monthly cost box.

Line Item Description Unit of Measure Monthly Cost

1 Murphree Water Treatment Plant 1600 NE 53rd Ave, Gainesville, FL 32609

2 Well #1 $

3 Well #7 $

4 Well #8 $

5 Well #9 $

6 Well #11 $

7 North Wellfield Well #12 $

8 North Wellfield Well #13 $

9 North Wellfield Well #14 $

10 North Wellfield Well #15 $

11 North Wellfield Well #16 $

12 All ARV vaults, electrical boxes and transformers on raw water Line along North Wellfield Rd.

13 Cross Creek Water Plant $

14 Kelly re-pump Station $

15 Santa Fe re-pump Station $

16 Elevated Tank #1 $

17 Elevated Tank #2 $

MOBILIZATION FEE FOR BRUSH HOGGING

Please provide your mobilization fee for each visit.

Line Item Description Unit of Measure Cost per visit

1 Mobilization Fee $

QUARTERLY BRUSH HOG MOWING

In the cost per visit box, place the cost for each location per service visit.

Line Item Description Unit of Measure Cost per visit

1 Perimeter around Well #1 $

2 Perimeter around Well #2 $

3 Perimeter around Well #3 $

4 Perimeter around Well #4 $

5 Perimeter around Well #7 $

6 Perimeter around Well #9 $

7 Perimeter around Well #12 $

8 Perimeter around Well #13 $

9 Perimeter around Well #14 $

10 Perimeter around Well #15 $

11 Perimeter around Well #16 $

12 West Easement from NW 53rd Ave to North perimeter of Well 11 including around monitoring Well sites.

13 North Wellfield access road from NW 53rd Ave to the end of the road just past Well 16.

PRICE PER HOUR FOR ADDITIONAL WORK

Please list your price per hour for any additional work outside of this scope of work.

Line Item Description Unit of Measure Price per hour

1 Price Per Hour for Additional Work $

5. RESPONSE SUBMITTALS

The following information is required with the Response. Failure to provide the following information may be cause for the response to be deemed "non-responsive":

5.1. Proposal Requirements

• The Contractor must meet the expectations to be qualified to bid:

• Proof of insurance.

• Provide a minimum of three (3) verifiable references of past work experiences at sites of similar size and scope (References can come from the same company as long as there are three (3) separate projects or contracts.)

• Provide a list of four (4) employees currently employed with the Contractor.

• Provide written confirmation that the Contractor will provide a minimum of four (4) employees with each mowing event.

• Provide a list of equipment that will be used.

• Provide an On-site safety plan that is acceptable to GRU.

• Provide proof via Sunbiz that the Contractor has done business in the State of Florida for a minimum of five (5) years.

NOTE: Failure to meet ALL of the requirements listed above will result in a non-responsive response and will be excluded from consideration.

5.1.1. Provide a minimum of three (3) verifiable references of past work experiences at sites of similar size and scope.*

Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.

• Verifiable_References.pdf

*Response required

5.1.2. Equipment List*

Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.

• Equipment_list.pdf

*Response required

5.1.3. List of Employees*

Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.

• Employee_list.pdf

*Response required

5.1.4. On-site Safety Plan*

Prepare and upload below, your on-site Safety Plan.

*Response required

5.1.5. Minimum of 5 years doing business in the State of Florida* The Contractor must provide proof that their company has done business in the State of Florida for a minimum of five (5) years. Upload your Sunbiz documents below.

*Response required

5.1.6. Respondent's Certification*

Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.

"I hereby propose to provide the goods/services requested in this Solicitation. I agree to hold pricing for at least 60 calendar days from the Solicitation due date. I agree that GRU’s terms and conditions herein take precedence over any conflicting terms and conditions submitted for GRU’s consideration, and agree to abide by all conditions of this Solicitation.

I certify that all information contained in this Response is truthful to the best of my knowledge and belief. I further certify that I am duly authorized to execute and submit this Response on behalf of the organization as its agent and that the organization is ready, willing and able to perform if awarded.

I further certify that this Response is made without prior understanding, agreement, connection, discussion, or collusion with any other person, company or corporation submitting an offer for the same product or service; no officer, employee or agent of GRU owns or will benefit more than 5% from award of https://government-project.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/88314/de916042-e59b-413c-a5fe-7c12a4e3c834_Verifiable_References.pdf?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Content-Sha256=UNSIGNED-PAYLOAD&X-Amz-Credential=ASIA47RIURE4MXSOE7Q7%2F20240506%2Fus-west-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20240506T183359Z&X-Amz-Expires=72000&X-Amz-Security-Token=IQoJb3JpZ2luX2VjEGoaCXVzLXdlc3QtMiJHMEUCIQD0sAetEnT9s%2BinGPtlbAV%2FVhU4Wic06RivDK1l3D%2FpuwIgF8L8jvpe7RdlBTuLtMWpt5vol5qCbPQJZkq6fHXqCX8qjAUIw%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2FARACGgw4OTIzNjQ2ODc2NzIiDJFb6t%2BVG95qaebV2irgBBINNFWsFWWGekIOCTkoGLFZGLx1KPmgmNKxFSKMGqqBAIshDf%2FLhe4KqFENmNROAksBwK6Kyw0AI9c%2F4nLsyRAMOQ2QwRHA0HovbntdNlvTYxu8fcubMrgFjsLlYyEs8Z1lE9sfHIr7Pw7QLQV%2BZjqxhtkOnVkCdSBd6SFxjcbqFSO7rirYAvk1bXTNkiN4NEAGdj6EUXyHTrKok%2FO8qgl3cEXgW%2BJIuIe4Ugf1QwJ4u6LloMXGKtRlET5X%2B%2BT9ZkSsf%2BNPKu8u6tyiH0NsqV5kBA79BHzr2lETw3SPMaZFaKLWS7BqxvxsCghk4l7cpReWGunuIGVoZKK9WH3%2FG8UYxMyoLmVfLXsNQlQyBoeqVmWDwjrBCV31KVs0Mvl8qNkSvUbFGgKV4Inh7IiqNPMnL1zCz%2BooSyJzS9tWIf9kbNsgK25gvJqI9gN2SlygM2pq%2Bh501C5JvIoEPuCFMgqugLRYj72GNdp6JhzmT5YaW7VwegGt50jlD9jYF0W4VOrcPyA8%2F71X9AVMO7A0W5gmPmttJs9vS%2BthLo3mBKB7LzscB9ZOwt9XBRCPl30VzRBEsTGJ33FYNPVaMrqUYmcJaEuewuRQGPk51Pfi2vYIaMDfYs6NScNMFLBB7VbmKw2uw8u5tVn5jeZEev9bO9W4Ua0094BlA9abyo0KGZwywZbTQ3cJioRFaMEgAWEbwc2bDpJoZbWHTb2G08qqlpZGMRIpyLdTPmlziCiu%2F2m883Dm61z7qU%2BokxyyqLzuATOS3yXQ%2Bgke5%2FUhTL%2BQhNCN4Yt5EXDXcVSI%2BcjwIRsIMOWu5LEGOpsBaSBzMKo0pS8bgtmPrhoRSWec14RxkdnmEjHnPGS5i6oryxKm8eFvakQntpQmDZMATSFPS4oqY7yXddcdp2DS4Ja7Uel9MHjb9%2BKiot83eKZewYw%2F3WKWS1NII7BHLxR7XdbI%2BVCf73kbNRjgeWNp3tXUxIUgjfeXMGRg7oM%2FrTpShuag%2BvGhUpk5nSshIDS4CK8p9c7CPdfHMo0%3D&X-Amz-Signature=4bd35515d7a9d10c0c70294a6ae439ae1e23e888e38cc0bbad3f1911b9767e40&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&response-content-disposition=attachment%3B%20filename%3D%22Verifiable_References.pdf%22&x-id=GetObject 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this Solicitation; and the undersigned executed this Respondent’s Certification with full knowledge and understanding of the matters therein contained."

• RESPONDENT_CERTIFICATION_FO...

*Response required

5.1.7. Drug-Free Workplace Certification Form*

Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.

"Preference may be given to a business that certifies that it has implemented a drug-free workplace program. Pursuant to Section 287.087, Florida Statutes, whenever two or more competitive solicitations that are equal with respect to price, quality, and service are received by the State or by any political subdivision for the procurement of commodities or contractual services, a response received from a business that certifies that it has implemented a drug-free workplace program shall be given preference in the award process. Established procedures for processing tie responses will be followed if none of the tied providers has a drug free workplace program. In order to have a drug-free workplace program, a business shall:

1. Publish a statement notifying employees that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance is prohibited in the workplace and specifying the actions that will be taken against employees for violations of such prohibition.

2. Inform employees about the dangers of drug abuse in the workplace, the business's policy of maintaining a drug-free workplace, any available drug counseling, rehabilitation, and employee assistance programs, and the penalties that may be imposed upon employees for drug abuse violations.

3. Give each employee engaged in providing the commodities or contractual services that are under proposal a copy of the statement specified in Subsection (1).

4. In the statement specified in Subsection (1), notify the employees that, as a condition of working on the commodities or contractual services that are under proposal, the employee will abide by the terms of the statement and will notify the employer of any conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, any violation of Chapter 893, Florida Statutes, or of any controlled substance law of the United States or any state, for a violation occurring in the workplace no later than five (5) days after such conviction.

5. Impose a sanction on any employee who is so convicted or require the satisfactory participation in a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program as such is available in the employee's community.

6. Make a good faith effort to continue to maintain a drug-free workplace through implementation of applicable laws, rules and regulations.

As the person authorized to sign the statement, I certify that this firm complies fully with the above requirements."

• DRUG_FREE_WORKPLACE-FF.pdf

*Response required

5.1.8. Subcontractor Information Form (Standard)*

Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.

List any subcontractors that will be used for the Work along with the goods or services to be provided. If the subcontractor is a small or minority-owned business, check the boxes that apply. The selected prime Contractor will be asked to provide the actual subcontractor spend amount at a later date.

https://government-project.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/88314/54a514c0-7ece-4138-a2bb-9ab49584cb06_RESPONDENT_CERTIFICATION_FORM-FF.pdf?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Content-Sha256=UNSIGNED-PAYLOAD&X-Amz-Credential=ASIA47RIURE4MXSOE7Q7%2F20240506%2Fus-west-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20240506T183359Z&X-Amz-Expires=72000&X-Amz-Security-Token=IQoJb3JpZ2luX2VjEGoaCXVzLXdlc3QtMiJHMEUCIQD0sAetEnT9s%2BinGPtlbAV%2FVhU4Wic06RivDK1l3D%…