Solicitation.pdf

SAP

State of South Carolina

Invitation For Bid

Exempt

Solicitation:

Date Issued:

Procurement Officer:

Phone:

E-Mail Address:

Mailing Address:

5400023261 04/28/2022 Laura Bagwell 803-737-1013 bagwelllb@scdot.org SCDOT Procurement Office PO Box 191 Columbia SC 29202-0191

DESCRIPTION: *Welcome Sign Landscape Maintenance-Dillon

USING GOVERNMENTAL UNIT: SC Department of Transportation

SUBMIT YOUR OFFER ON-LINE AT THE FOLLOWING URL: http://www.procurement.sc.gov

SUBMIT OFFER BY (Opening Date/Time): 05/24/2022 @ 2:30 P.M. (See "Deadline For Submission Of Offer" provision)

QUESTIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY: 05/12/2022 @ 2:30P.M. (See "Questions From Offerors" provision)

NUMBER OF COPIES TO BE SUBMITTED: One

CONFERENCE TYPE: Pre-Bid Conference Call

DATE & TIME: 05/11/2022 @ 11:00 A.M.

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

LOCATION: This Pre-Bid conference will take place via teleconference only. Dial-in: 1-

800-753-1965, Access code 7236783. Please register with the Procurement Officer by 5:00

PM, May 9, 2022.

AWARD &

AMENDMENTS

Award will be posted on 06/02/2022. The award, this solicitation, any amendments, and any related notices will be posted at the following web address: http://www.procurement.sc.gov

You must submit a signed copy of this form with Your Offer. By signing, You agree to be bound by the terms of the

Solicitation. You agree to hold Your Offer open for a minimum of thirty (30) calendar days after the Opening Date. (See

"Signing Your Offer" provision.)

NAME OF OFFEROR

(full legal name of business submitting the offer)

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

AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE

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

DATE SIGNED

TITLE

(business title of person signing above)

STATE VENDOR NO.

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

PRINTED NAME

(printed name of person signing above)

STATE OF INCORPORATION

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

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

___ Sole Proprietorship ___ Partnership ___ Other_____________________________

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

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

mailto:bagwelllb@scdot.org http://www.procurement.sc.gov/ http://www.procurement.sc.gov/

PAGE TWO

(Return Page Two with Your Offer)

HOME OFFICE ADDRESS (Address for offeror's home office / principal place of business)

NOTICE ADDRESS (Address to which all procurement and contract related notices should be sent.) (See "Notice" clause)

Area Code - Number - Extension Facsimile

E-mail Address

PAYMENT ADDRESS (Address to which payments will be sent.)

(See "Payment" clause)

____Payment Address same as Home Office Address ____Payment Address same as Notice Address (check only one)

ORDER ADDRESS (Address to which purchase orders will be sent)

(See "Purchase Orders and "Contract Documents" clauses)

____Order Address same as Home Office Address ____Order Address same as Notice Address (check only one)

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS

Offerors acknowledges receipt of amendments by indicating amendment number and its date of issue. (See "Amendments to Solicitation" Provision)

Amendment No. Amendment Issue

Date Amendment No. Amendment Issue

Date Amendment No. Amendment Issue

Date Amendment No. Amendment Issue

Date

DISCOUNT FOR

PROMPT PAYMENT

(See "Discount for Prompt

Payment" clause)

10 Calendar Days (%) 20 Calendar Days (%) 30 Calendar Days (%) _____Calendar Days (%)

PREFERENCES - A NOTICE TO VENDORS (SEP. 2009): On June 16, 2009, the South Carolina General Assembly rewrote the law governing preferences available to in-state vendors, vendors using in-state subcontractors, and vendors selling in-state or US end products. This law appears in Section 11-35-1524 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. A summary of the new preferences is available at www.procurement.sc.gov/preferences. ALL THE PREFERENCES MUST BE

CLAIMED AND ARE APPLIED BY LINE ITEM, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER AWARD IS MADE BY ITEM OR

LOT. VENDORS ARE CAUTIONED TO CAREFULLY REVIEW THE STATUTE BEFORE CLAIMING ANY

PREFERENCES. THE REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY HAVE CHANGED. IF YOU REQUEST A

PREFERENCE, YOU ARE CERTIFYING THAT YOUR OFFER QUALIFIES FOR THE PREFERENCE

YOU'VE CLAIMED. IMPROPERLY REQUESTING A PREFERENCE CAN HAVE SERIOUS

CONSEQUENCES. [11-35-1524(E)(4)&(6)] ****PREFERENCES DO NOT APPLY****

PREFERENCES - ADDRESS AND PHONE OF IN-STATE OFFICE: Please provide the address and phone number for your in-state office in the space provided below. An in-state office is necessary to claim either the Resident Vendor

Preference (11-35-1524(C)(1)(i)&(ii)) or the Resident Contractor Preference (11-35-1524(C)(1)(iii)). Accordingly, you must provide this information to qualify for the preference. An in-state office is not required, but can be beneficial, if you are claiming the Resident Subcontractor Preference (11-35-1524(D)). ****PREFERENCES DO NOT APPLY****

____In-State Office Address same as Home Office Address ____In-State Office Address same as Notice Address (check only one)

PAGE TWO (SEP 2009) End of PAGE TWO http://www.procurement.sc.gov/preferences

INSTRUCTIONS FOR OFFERORS SUBMITTING HARD COPY BIDS

Mailing Address: Physical Address:

SCDOT Procurement Office SCDOT Procurement Office

P.O. Box 191 – Room 101 955 Park Street – Room 101

Columbia, S.C. 29202-0191 Columbia, S.C. 29201-3976

1. Offerors shall submit their bid in a sealed package.

2. The solicitation number and opening date must appear on the package exterior.

3. Offerors shall submit one (1) copy.

PLEASE NOTE THAT IF TERMS AND CONDITIONS ARE OBJECTED OR QUALIFIED OR OFFEROR

INCLUDES ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS TO BE CONSIDERED, THE OFFER WILL BE

DEEMED NON-RESPONSIVE AND WILL BE ELIMINATED FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION.

IF YOU QUALIFY YOUR OFFER WITH A STATEMENT LIKE: “THIS IS NOT AN OFFER”, YOU WILL BE

DEEMED NON-RESPONSIVE AND ELIMINATED FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION.

Table of Contents

SAP

SECTION_I

ACQUIRE SERVICES

MAXIMUM CONTRACT PERIOD - ESTIMATED

SECTION_IIA

DEFINITIONS, CAPITALIZATION, AND HEADINGS

AMENDMENTS TO SOLICITATION

AUTHORIZED AGENT

AWARD NOTIFICATION

BID/PROPOSAL AS OFFER TO CONTRACT

BID ACCEPTANCE PERIOD

BID IN ENGLISH and DOLLARS

CERTIFICATE OF INDEPENDENT PRICE DETERMINATION

CERTIFICATION REGARDING DEBARMENT AND OTHER RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS

CODE OF LAWS AVAILABLE

DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST OR UNFAIR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF OFFER

DRUG FREE WORK PLACE CERTIFICATION

DUTY TO INQUIRE

ETHICS CERTIFICATE

OMIT TAXES FROM PRICE

OPEN TRADE REPRESENTATION

PROTESTS

PROHIBITED COMMUNICATIONS AND DONATIONS

PUBLIC OPENING

QUESTIONS FROM OFFERORS

REJECTION/CANCELLATION

RESPONSIVENESS/IMPROPER OFFERS

SIGNING YOUR OFFER

STATE OFFICE CLOSINGS

DISCLOSURE OF YOUR BID / PROPOSAL and SUBMITTING CONFIDENTIAL DATA

SUBMITTING A PAPER OFFER OR MODIFICATION

TAX CREDIT FOR SUBCONTRACTING WITH DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESSES

VENDOR REGISTRATION MANDATORY

WITHDRAWAL OR CORRECTION OF OFFER

SECTION_IIB

ON-LINE BIDDING INSTRUCTIONS

PROTEST - CPO - MMO ADDRESS

UNIT PRICES REQUIRED

SECTION_III

SEE BIDDING SCHEDULE

DELIVERY/PERFORMANCE LOCATION -- SPECIFIED

SECTION_IV

INFORMATION FOR OFFERORS TO SUBMIT -- GENERAL

MINORITY PARTICIPATION

SECTION_V

QUALIFICATIONS OF OFFEROR

SUBCONTRACTOR -- IDENTIFICATION

SECTION_VI

AWARD CRITERIA -- BIDS

AWARD TO ONE OFFEROR

CALCULATING THE LOW BID

COMPETITION FROM PUBLIC ENTITIES

SECTION_VIIA

ASSIGNMENT, NOVATION, AND CHANGE OF NAME, IDENTITY, OR STRUCTURE

BANKRUPTCY - GENERAL

CHOICE-OF-LAW

CONTRACT DOCUMENTS and ORDER OF PRECEDENCE

DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT

DISPUTES

EFT INFORMATION

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

FALSE CLAIMS

FIXED PRICING REQUIRED

NO INDEMNITY OR DEFENSE

NOTICE

OPEN TRADE

PAYMENT and INTEREST

PUBLICITY

PURCHASE ORDERS

SURVIVAL OF OBLIGATIONS

TAXES

TERMINATION DUE TO UNAVAILABILITY OF FUNDS

THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY

WAIVER

SECTION_VIIB

CHANGES

COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS

CONFERENCE -- PRE-PERFORMANCE

CONTRACTOR'S LIABILITY INSURANCE - GENERAL

CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL

CONTRACTOR'S OBLIGATION -- GENERAL

DEFAULT

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

INDEMNIFICATION-THIRD PARTY CLAIMS - GENERAL

LICENSES AND PERMITS

PRICE ADJUSTMENTS

PRICE ADJUSTMENT - LIMITED -- AFTER INITIAL TERM ONLY

PRICE ADJUSTMENTS -- LIMITED BY CPI "OTHER GOODS and SERVICES"

PRICING DATA -- AUDIT -- INSPECTION

RELATIONSHIP OF THE PARTIES

TERM OF CONTRACT -- EFFECTIVE DATE / INITIAL CONTRACT PERIOD

TERM OF CONTRACT -- OPTION TO RENEW

TERM OF CONTRACT -- TERMINATION BY CONTRACTOR

TERMINATION FOR CONVENIENCE

SECTION_VIII

BIDDING SCHEDULE

SECTION_IX

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

NONRESIDENT TAXPAYER REGISTRATION AFFIDAVIT INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING

AI. SCOPE OF SOLICITATION

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is soliciting for landscaping and maintenance services at the

Welcome to South Carolina sign in Dillon SC, per the specifications herein.

This solicitation is exempt pursuant to 11-35-710 (1).

ACQUIRE SERVICES

The purpose of this solicitation is to acquire services complying with the enclosed description and/or specifications and conditions.

MAXIMUM CONTRACT PERIOD - ESTIMATED

Start date: 06/14/2022 End date: 06/13/20227. Dates provided are estimates only. Any resulting contract will begin on the date specified in the notice of award. See clause entitled "Term of Contract - Effective Date/Initial Contract Period".

SAII. INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS - A. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

DEFINITIONS, CAPITALIZATION, AND HEADINGS

CLAUSE HEADINGS USED IN THIS SOLICITATION ARE FOR CONVENIENCE ONLY AND SHALL NOT BE USED

TO CONSTRUE MEANING OR INTENT. EVEN IF NOT CAPITALIZED, THE FOLLOWING DEFINITIONS ARE

APPLICABLE TO ALL PARTS OF THE SOLICITATION, UNLESS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED OTHERWISE.

AMENDMENT means a document issued to supplement the original solicitation document.

AUTHORITY means the State Fiscal Accountability Authority or its successor in interest.

BUSINESS means any corporation, partnership, individual, sole proprietorship, joint stock company, joint venture, or any other legal entity.

CHANGE ORDER means any written alteration in specifications, delivery point, rate of delivery, period of performance, price, quantity, or other provisions of any contract accomplished by mutual agreement of the parties to the contract.

CONTRACT See clause entitled Contract Documents & Order of Precedence.

CONTRACT MODIFICATION means a written order signed by the procurement officer, directing the contractor to make changes which the clause of the contract titled "Changes," if included herein, authorizes the Procurement Officer to order without the consent of the contractor.

CONTRACTOR means the Offeror receiving an award as a result of this solicitation.

COVER PAGE means the top page of the original solicitation on which the solicitation is identified by number. Offerors are cautioned that Amendments may modify information provided on the Cover Page.

OFFER means the bid or proposal submitted in response this solicitation. The terms Bid and Proposal are used interchangeably with the term Offer.

OFFEROR means the single legal entity submitting the offer. The term Bidder is used interchangeably with the term Offeror.

See bidding provisions entitled Signing Your Offer and Bid/Proposal As Offer To Contract.

PAGE TWO means the second page of the original solicitation, which is labeled Page Two.

PROCUREMENT OFFICER means the person, or his successor, identified as such on either the Cover Page, an amendment, or an award notice.

YOU and YOUR means Offeror.

SOLICITATION means this document, including all its parts, attachments, and any Amendments.

STATE means the Using Governmental Unit(s) identified on the Cover Page.

SUBCONTRACTOR means any person you contract with to perform or provide any part of the work.

US or WE means the using governmental unit.

USING GOVERNMENTAL UNIT means the unit(s) of government identified as such on the Cover Page. If the Cover Page identifies the Using Governmental Unit as "Statewide Term Contract," the phrase "Using Governmental Unit" means any

South Carolina Public Procurement Unit that has submitted a Purchase Order to you pursuant to the contract resulting from this solicitation. Reference the clauses titled "Purchase Orders" and "Statewide Term Contract."

WORK means all labor, materials, equipment, services, or property of any type, provided or to be provided by the Contractor to fulfill the Contractor's obligations under the Contract.

AMENDMENTS TO SOLICITATION

(a) The Solicitation may be amended at any time prior to opening. All actual and prospective Offerors should monitor the following web site for the issuance of Amendments: www.procurement.sc.gov (b) Offerors shall acknowledge receipt of any amendment to this solicitation (1) by signing and returning the amendment, (2) by identifying the amendment number and date in the space provided for this purpose on Page Two, (3) by letter, or (4) by submitting a bid that indicates in some way that the bidder received the amendment. (c) If this solicitation is amended, then all terms and conditions which are not modified remain unchanged.

AUTHORIZED AGENT

All authority regarding this procurement is vested solely with the responsible Procurement Officer. Unless specifically delegated in writing, the Procurement Officer is the only government official authorized to bind the government with regard to this procurement or the resulting contract.

AWARD NOTIFICATION (MODIFIED)

Notice regarding any award, cancellation of award, or extension of award will be posted at the location and on the date specified on the Cover Page or, if applicable, any notice of extension of award. Should the contract resulting from this

Solicitation have a total or potential value of one hundred thousand dollars or more, such notice will be sent to all Offerors responding to the Solicitation and any award will not be effective until the day immediately following the seventh business day after such notice is given.

BID/PROPOSAL AS OFFER TO CONTRACT

By submitting Your Bid or Proposal, You are offering to enter into a contract with the Using Governmental Unit(s). Without further action by either party, a binding contract shall result upon final award. Any award issued will be issued to, and the contract will be formed with, the entity identified as the Offeror on the Cover Page. An Offer may be submitted by only one legal entity; "joint bids" are not allowed.

BID ACCEPTANCE PERIOD

In order to withdraw Your Offer after the minimum period specified on the Cover Page, You must notify the Procurement

Officer in writing.

BID IN ENGLISH and DOLLARS

Offers submitted in response to this solicitation shall be in the English language and in US dollars, unless otherwise permitted by the Solicitation.

CERTIFICATE OF INDEPENDENT PRICE DETERMINATION

GIVING FALSE, MISLEADING, OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION ON THIS CERTIFICATION MAY

RENDER YOU SUBJECT TO PROSECUTION UNDER SECTION 16-9-10 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE

OF LAWS AND OTHER APPLICABLE LAWS.

(a) By submitting an offer, the offeror certifies that-

(1) The prices in this offer have been arrived at independently, without, for the purpose of restricting competition, any consultation, communication, or agreement with any other offeror or competitor relating to-

(i) Those prices;

(ii) The intention to submit an offer; or

(iii) The methods or factors used to calculate the prices offered.

(2) The prices in this offer have not been and will not be knowingly disclosed by the offeror, directly or indirectly, to any other offeror or competitor before bid opening (in the case of a sealed bid solicitation) or contract award (in the case of a negotiated solicitation) unless otherwise required by law; and

(3) No attempt has been made or will be made by the offeror to induce any other concern to submit or not to submit an offer for the purpose of restricting competition.

(b) Each signature on the offer is considered to be a certification by the signatory that the signatory-

(1) Is the person in the offeror's organization responsible for determining the prices being offered in this bid or proposal, and that the signatory has not participated and will not participate in any action contrary to paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) of this certification; or

(2)(i) Has been authorized, in writing, to act as agent for the offeror's principals in certifying that those principals have not participated, and will not participate in any action contrary to paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) of this certification [As used in this subdivision (b)(2)(i), the term "principals" means the person(s) in the offeror's organization responsible for determining the prices offered in this bid or proposal];

(ii) As an authorized agent, does certify that the principals referenced in subdivision (b)(2)(i) of this certification have not participated, and will not participate, in any action contrary to paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) of this certification; and

(iii) As an agent, has not personally participated, and will not participate, in any action contrary to paragraphs (a)(1) through

(a)(3) of this certification.

(c) If the offeror deletes or modifies paragraph (a)(2) of this certification, the offeror must furnish with its offer a signed statement setting forth in detail the circumstances of the disclosure.

CERTIFICATION REGARDING DEBARMENT AND OTHER RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS

(a) (1) By submitting an Offer, Offeror certifies, to the best of its knowledge and belief, that-

(i) Offeror and/or any of its Principals-

(A) Are not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, or declared ineligible for the award of contracts by any state or federal agency;

(B) Have not, within a three-year period preceding this offer, been convicted of or had a civil judgment rendered against them for: commission of fraud or a criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a public

(Federal, state, or local) contract or subcontract; violation of Federal or state antitrust statutes relating to the submission of offers; or commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, tax evasion, or receiving stolen property; and

(C) Are not presently indicted for, or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a governmental entity with, commission of any of the offenses enumerated in paragraph (a)(1)(i)(B) of this provision.

(ii) Offeror has not, within a three-year period preceding this offer, had one or more contracts terminated for default by any public (Federal, state, or local) entity.

(2) "Principals," for the purposes of this certification, means officers; directors; owners; partners; and, persons having primary management or supervisory responsibilities within a business entity (e.g., general manager; plant manager; head of a subsidiary, division, or business segment, and similar positions).

(b) Offeror shall provide immediate written notice to the Procurement Officer if, at any time prior to contract award, Offeror learns that its certification was erroneous when submitted or has become erroneous by reason of changed circumstances.

(c) If Offeror is unable to certify the representations stated in paragraphs (a)(1), Offer must submit a written explanation regarding its inability to make the certification. The certification will be considered in connection with a review of the

Offeror's responsibility. Failure of the Offeror to furnish additional information as requested by the Procurement Officer may render the Offeror nonresponsible.

(d) Nothing contained in the foregoing shall be construed to require establishment of a system of records in order to render, in good faith, the certification required by paragraph (a) of this provision. The knowledge and information of an Offeror is not required to exceed that which is normally possessed by a prudent person in the ordinary course of business dealings.

(e) The certification in paragraph (a) of this provision is a material representation of fact upon which reliance was placed when making award. If it is later determined that the Offeror knowingly or in bad faith rendered an erroneous certification, in addition to other remedies available to the State, the Procurement Officer may terminate the contract resulting from this solicitation for default.

CODE OF LAWS AVAILABLE

The South Carolina Code of Laws, including the Consolidated Procurement Code, is available at:

http://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/statmast.php

The South Carolina Regulations are available at:

http://www.scstatehouse.gov/coderegs/statmast.php

DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST OR UNFAIR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

You warrant and represent that your offer identifies and explains any unfair competitive advantage you may have in competing for the proposed contract and any actual or potential conflicts of interest that may arise from your participation in this competition or your receipt of an award. The two underlying principles are (a) preventing the existence of conflicting roles that might bias a contractor's judgment, and (b) preventing an unfair competitive advantage. If you have an unfair competitive advantage or a conflict of interest, the state may withhold award. Before withholding award on these grounds, an offeror will be notified of the concerns and provided a reasonable opportunity to respond. Efforts to avoid or mitigate such concerns, including restrictions on future activities, may be considered. Without limiting the foregoing, you represent that your offer identifies any services that relate to either this solicitation or the work and that has already been performed by you, a proposed subcontractor, or an affiliated business of either.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF OFFER

Any offer received after the Procurement Officer of the governmental body or his designee has declared that the time set for opening has arrived, shall be rejected unless the offer has been delivered to the designated purchasing office or the governmental body's mail room which services that purchasing office prior to the opening.

DRUG FREE WORK PLACE CERTIFICATION

By submitting an Offer, Contractor certifies that, if awarded a contract, Contractor will comply with all applicable provisions of The Drug-free Workplace Act, Title 44, Chapter 107 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, as amended.

DUTY TO INQUIRE

Offeror, by submitting an Offer, represents that it has read and understands the Solicitation and that its Offer is made in compliance with the Solicitation. Offerors are expected to examine the Solicitation thoroughly and should request an explanation of any ambiguities, discrepancies, errors, omissions, or conflicting statements in the Solicitation. Failure to do so will be at the Offeror's risk. All ambiguities, discrepancies, errors, omissions, or conflicting statements in the Solicitation shall be interpreted to require the better quality or greater quantity of work and/or materials, unless otherwise directed by amendment. Offeror assumes responsibility for any patent ambiguity in the Solicitation that Offeror does not bring to the

State's attention. See clause entitled "Questions from Offerors."

ETHICS CERTIFICATE

By submitting an offer, the offeror certifies that the offeror has and will comply with, and has not, and will not, induce a person to violate Title 8, Chapter 13 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, as amended (ethics act). The following statutes require special attention: Section 8-13-700, regarding use of official position for financial gain; Section 8-13-705, regarding gifts to influence action of public official; Section 8-13-720, regarding offering money for advice or assistance of public official; Sections 8-13-755 and 8-13-760, regarding restrictions on employment by former public official; Section 8-13-775, prohibiting public official with economic interests from acting on contracts; Section 8-13-790, regarding recovery of kickbacks; Section 8-13-1150, regarding statements to be filed by consultants; and Section 8-13-1342, regarding restrictions on contributions by contractor to candidate who participated in awarding of contract. The state may rescind any contract and recover all amounts expended as a result of any action taken in violation of this provision. If contractor participates, directly or indirectly, in the evaluation or award of public contracts, including without limitation, change orders or task orders regarding a public contract, contractor shall, if required by law to file such a statement, provide the statement required by

Section 8-13-1150 to the procurement officer at the same time the law requires the statement to be filed.

http://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/statmast.php http://www.scstatehouse.gov/coderegs/statmast.php

OMIT TAXES FROM PRICE

Do not include any sales or use taxes in Your price that the State may be required to pay.

OPEN TRADE REPRESENTATION

By submitting an Offer, Offeror represents that Offeror is not currently engaged in the boycott of a person or an entity based in or doing business with a jurisdiction with whom South Carolina can enjoy open trade.

PROTESTS

If you are aggrieved in connection with the solicitation or award of the contract, you may be entitled to protest. To protest a solicitation, you must submit a protest within fifteen days of the date the applicable solicitation document is issued. To protest an award, you must (i) submit notice of your intent to protest within seven business days of the date the award notice is posted, and (ii) submit your actual protest within fifteen days of the date the award notice is posted. Both protests and notices of intent to protest must be in writing and must be received by the appropriate Chief Procurement Officer within the time provided. See clause entitled "Protest-CPO". The grounds of the protest and the relief requested must be set forth with enough particularity to give notice of the issues to be decided.

PROHIBITED COMMUNICATIONS AND DONATIONS

Violation of these restrictions may result in disqualification of your offer, suspension or debarment, and may constitute a violation of law.

(a) During the period between publication of the solicitation and final award, you must not communicate, directly or indirectly, with the Using Governmental Unit or its employees, agents or officials regarding any aspect of this procurement activity, unless otherwise approved in writing by the Procurement Officer. All communications must be solely with the

Procurement Officer.

(b) You are advised to familiarize yourself with Regulation 19-445.2165, which restricts donations to a governmental entity with whom you have or seek to have a contract. You represent that your offer discloses any gifts made, directly or through an intermediary, by you or your named subcontractors to or for the benefit of the Using Governmental Unit during the period beginning eighteen months prior to the Opening Date.

PUBLIC OPENING

Offers will be publicly opened at the date/time and at the location identified on the Cover Page, or last Amendment, whichever is applicable.

QUESTIONS FROM OFFERORS

(a) Any prospective offeror desiring an explanation or interpretation of the solicitation, drawings, specifications, etc., must request it in writing. Questions regarding the original solicitation or any amendment must be received by the Procurement

Officer no later than five (5) days prior to opening unless an earlier date is stated on the Cover Page. Label any communication regarding your questions with the name of the procurement officer, and the solicitation's title and number. Oral explanations or instructions will not be binding. Any information given a prospective offeror concerning a solicitation will be furnished promptly to all other prospective offerors as an Amendment to the solicitation, if that information is necessary for submitting offers or if the lack of it would be prejudicial to other prospective offerors. See clause entitled "Duty to Inquire." We will not identify you in our answer to your question. (b) The State seeks to permit maximum practicable competition. Offerors are urged to advise the Procurement Officer -- as soon as possible -- regarding any aspect of this procurement, including any aspect of the Solicitation that unnecessarily or inappropriately limits full and open competition.

REJECTION/CANCELLATION

The State may cancel this solicitation in whole or in part. The State may reject any or all proposals in whole or in part.

RESPONSIVENESS/IMPROPER OFFERS

(a) Bid as Specified. Offers for supplies or services other than those specified will not be considered unless authorized by the

Solicitation.

(b) Multiple Offers. Offerors may submit more than one Offer, provided that each Offer has significant differences other than price. Each separate Offer must satisfy all Solicitation requirements. If this solicitation is an Invitation for Bids, each separate offer must be submitted as a separate document. If this solicitation is a Request for Proposals, multiple offers may be submitted as one document, provided that you clearly differentiate between each offer and you submit a separate cost proposal for each offer, if applicable.

(c) Responsiveness. Any Offer which fails to conform to the material requirements of the Solicitation may be rejected as nonresponsive. Offers which impose conditions that modify material requirements of the Solicitation may be rejected. If a fixed price is required, an Offer will be rejected if the total possible cost to the State cannot be determined. Offerors will not be given an opportunity to correct any material nonconformity. Any deficiency resulting from a minor informality may be cured or waived at the sole discretion of the Procurement Officer.

(d) Price Reasonableness: Any offer may be rejected if the Procurement Officer determines in writing that it is unreasonable as to price.

(e) Unbalanced Bidding. The State may reject an Offer as nonresponsive if the prices bid are materially unbalanced between line items or subline items. A bid is materially unbalanced when it is based on prices significantly less than cost for some work and prices which are significantly overstated in relation to cost for other work, and if there is a reasonable doubt that the bid will result in the lowest overall cost to the State even though it may be the low evaluated bid, or if it is so unbalanced as to be tantamount to allowing an advance payment.

(f) Do not submit bid samples or descriptive literature unless expressly requested. Unsolicited bid samples or descriptive literature will not be examined or tested, will not be used to determine responsiveness, and will not be deemed to vary any of the provisions of the solicitation.

SIGNING YOUR OFFER

Every Offer must be signed by an individual with actual authority to bind the Offeror. (a) If the Offeror is an individual, the

Offer must be signed by that individual. If the Offeror is an individual doing business as a firm, the Offer must be submitted in the firm name, signed by the individual, and state that the individual is doing business as a firm. (b) If the Offeror is a partnership, the Offer must be submitted in the partnership name, followed by the words by its Partner, and signed by a general partner. (c) If the Offeror is a corporation, the Offer must be submitted in the corporate name, followed by the signature and title of the person authorized to sign. (d) An Offer may be submitted by a joint venturer involving any combination of individuals, partnerships, or corporations. If the Offeror is a joint venture, the Offer must be submitted in the name of the Joint Venture and signed by every participant in the joint venture in the manner prescribed in paragraphs (a) through (c) above for each type of participant. (e) If an Offer is signed by an agent, other than as stated in subparagraphs (a) through (d) above, the Offer must state that is has been signed by an Agent. Upon request, Offeror must provide proof of the agent's authorization to bind the principal.

STATE OFFICE CLOSINGS

If an emergency or unanticipated event interrupts normal government processes so that offers cannot be received at the government office designated for receipt of bids by the exact time specified in the solicitation, the time specified for receipt of offers will be deemed to be extended to the same time of day specified in the solicitation on the first work day on which normal government processes resume. In lieu of an automatic extension, an Amendment may be issued to reschedule bid opening. If state offices are closed at the time a pre-bid or pre-proposal conference is scheduled, an Amendment will be issued to reschedule the conference. Useful information may be available at: https://scemd.org/closings/ https://scemd.org/closings/

DISCLOSURE OF YOUR BID / PROPOSAL and SUBMITTING CONFIDENTIAL DATA

(a) Any person submitting a document in response or with regard to any solicitation or other request must "comply with instructions provided in the solicitation for marking information exempt from public disclosure. Information not marked as required by the applicable instructions may be disclosed to the public." IF YOU IDENTIFY YOUR ENTIRE RESPONSE

AS EXEMPT FROM PUBLIC DISCLOSURE, OR IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT A REDACTED COPY AS

REQUIRED, THE STATE MAY, IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION, DETERMINE YOUR BID OR PROPOSAL

NONRESPONSIVE AND INELIGIBLE FOR AWARD. (b) By submitting a response to this solicitation or request, Offeror (1) agrees to the public disclosure of every page, or portion thereof, of every document regarding this solicitation or request that was submitted at any time prior to entering into a contract (including, but not limited to, documents contained in a response, documents submitted to clarify a response, and documents submitted during negotiations), unless the page, or portion thereof, was redacted and conspicuously marked "Trade Secret" or "Confidential" or "Protected", (2) agrees that any information not redacted and marked, as required by these bidding instructions, as a "Trade Secret" is not a trade secret as defined by the Trade Secrets Act, and (3) agrees that, notwithstanding any claims or markings otherwise, any prices, commissions, discounts, or other financial figures used to determine the award, as well as the final contract amount, are subject to public disclosure. (c) If your offer includes any information that you claim is exempt from public disclosure, you must submit one complete copy of your offer from which you have removed or concealed such information (the redacted copy). Except for the information removed or concealed, the redacted copy must be identical to your original offer. (d) Do not mark your entire response (bid, proposal, quote, etc.) as confidential, trade secret, or protected. If only portions of a page are subject to some protection, do not redact the entire page. The redacted copy must reflect the same pagination as the original and show the empty space from which information was redacted. The Procurement Officer must be able to view, search, copy and print the redacted copy without a password. If your response, or any part thereof, is improperly marked as confidential or trade secret or protected, the State may, in its sole discretion, determine it nonresponsive. (e) On the redacted copy, you must identify the basis of your claim by marking each redaction as follows: You must separately mark with the word "CONFIDENTIAL" every page, or portion thereof, that you redacted and claim as exempt from public disclosure because it is either (1) a trade secret as defined in Section 30-4-40(a)(1) of the Freedom of Information Act, or (2) privileged and confidential You must separately mark with the words "TRADE SECRET" every page, or portion thereof, that you redacted and claim as exempt from public disclosure as a trade secret pursuant to Section 39-8-20 of the Trade Secrets Act.

You must separately mark with the word "PROTECTED" every page, or portion thereof, that you redacted and claim as exempt from public disclosure pursuant to Section 11-35- 1810. All markings must be conspicuous; use color, bold, underlining, or some other method in order to conspicuously distinguish the mark from the other text. (f) In determining whether to release documents, the State will detrimentally rely on your redaction and marking of documents, as required by these bidding instructions, as being either "Confidential" or "Trade Secret" or "Protected". By submitting a response, you agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the State of South Carolina, its agencies, officers and employees, from every claim, demand, loss, expense, cost, damage or injury, including attorney's fees, arising out of or resulting from withholding information by the State of South Carolina or any of its agencies, that you have redacted or marked as "Confidential" or

"Trade Secret" or "Protected".

SUBMITTING A PAPER OFFER OR MODIFICATION

Unless specifically instructed otherwise in the solicitation, you should submit your offer or modification in accordance with the clause titled "ON-LINE BIDDING INSTRUCTIONS." Paper offers are discouraged. If you must submit a paper offer or modification the following instructions apply. (a) All prices and notations should be printed in ink or typewritten. Errors should be crossed out, corrections entered and initialed by the person signing the bid. Do not modify the solicitation document itself (including bid schedule). (b) (1) All copies of the offer or modification, and any other documents required to be submitted with the offer shall be enclosed in a sealed, opaque envelope or package. (2) Submit your offer or modification to the address on the Cover Page. (3) The envelope or package must show the time and date specified for opening, the solicitation number, and the name and address of the bidder. If the offer or modification is sent by mail or special delivery service (UPS, Federal Express, etc.), the outermost envelope or wrapper must be labeled "OFFER ENCLOSED" on the face thereof. (c) If you are responding to more than one solicitation, submit each offer in a separate envelope or package. (d) Submit the number of copies indicated on the Cover Page. (e) Facsimile or e-mail offers, modifications, or withdrawals, will not be considered unless authorized by the Solicitation.

TAX CREDIT FOR SUBCONTRACTING WITH DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESSES

Pursuant to Section 12-6-3350, a taxpayer having a contract with this State who subcontracts with a socially and economically disadvantaged small business is eligible for an income tax credit equal to four percent of the payments to that subcontractor for work pursuant to the contract. The subcontractor must be certified as a socially and economically disadvantaged small business. The credit is limited to a maximum of fifty thousand dollars annually. A taxpayer is eligible to claim the credit for ten consecutive taxable years beginning with the taxable year in which the first payment is made to the subcontractor that qualifies for the credit. After the above ten consecutive taxable years, the taxpayer is no longer eligible for the credit. A taxpayer claiming the credit shall maintain evidence of work performed for the contract by the subcontractor. The credit may be claimed on Form TC-2, "Minority Business Credit." A copy of the subcontractor's certificate from the Governor's Office of Small and Minority Business (OSMBA) is to be attached to the contractor's income tax return. Questions regarding the tax credit and how to file are to be referred to: SC Department of Revenue, Research and Review, Phone: (803) 898-5786, Fax:

(803) 898-5888. Questions regarding subcontractor certification are to be referred to: Governor's Office of Small and Minority

Business Assistance, Phone: (803) 734-0657, Fax: (803) 734-2498.

VENDOR REGISTRATION MANDATORY

You must have a state vendor number to be eligible to submit an offer. To obtain a state vendor number, visit www.procurement.sc.gov and select New Vendor Registration. (To determine if your business is already registered, go to

"Vendor Search"). Upon registration, you will be assigned a state vendor number. Vendors must keep their vendor information current. If you are already registered, you can update your information by selecting Change Vendor Registration.

(Please note that vendor registration does not substitute for any obligation to register with the S.C. Secretary of State or S.C.

Department of Revenue. You can register with the agencies at http://www.scbos.com/default.htm

WITHDRAWAL OR CORRECTION OF OFFER

Offers may be withdrawn by written notice received at any time before the exact time set for opening. If the Solicitation authorizes facsimile offers, offers may be withdrawn via facsimile received at any time before the exact time set for opening.

A bid may be withdrawn in person by a bidder or its authorized representative if, before the exact time set for opening, the identity of the person requesting withdrawal is established and the person signs a receipt for the bid.

http://www.scbos.com/default.htm

SII. INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS -- B. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

ON-LINE BIDDING INSTRUCTIONS

(a) Mandatory Registration. You must register before you can submit an offer on line! See clause entitled "VENDOR

REGISTRATION MANDATORY."

(b) Steps for On-Line Bidding

1. The link provided on the solicitation's Cover Page will take you to our web based on-line bidding system, where you will enter and/or upload your offer.

2. Follow the general user instructions posted at www.procurement.sc.gov under the heading "Submitting Offers."

3. Confirm your offer has a status of "submitted" by refreshing the "RFx and Auctions" screen.

Only offers with a status of "submitted" have been received by the State.

Offers with a status of "saved" have not been received.

4. Save or print a copy of your offer using the "Print Preview" button after your offer has been submitted.

PROTEST - CPO - SCDOT ADDRESS

Any protest must be addressed to the SCDOT Chief Procurement Officer, South Carolina Department of Transportation, and submitted in writing

(a) by email to: PlayerJD@scdot.org,

(b) by facsimile at 803-737-2046, or

(c) by post or delivery to: PO Box 191, Columbia, SC 29202 or 955 Park St, Room 101, Columbia, SC 29201

UNIT PRICES REQUIRED

Unit price to be shown for each item.

mailto:BartonSD@scdot.org

SAIII. SCOPE OF WORK/SPECIFICATIONS

Scope of Work

This work shall consist of furnishing all labor, materials, equipment, licenses, and incidentals necessary for landscaping and grounds maintenance services at the Welcome to South Carolina Sign located at Exit 1A Southbound off of Interstate 95.

Monthly price shall include the following for work area limits (Attachment A)

Mowing

String trimming

Edging

Liter removal of sign area

Monitoring of sprinkler system of proper operation

Annual pumping of sprinkler system

Remove and dispose of weeds, grass, vines etc. from plant bed

Trim and prune shrubs, trees and bushes in plant beds

Apply mulch 3 times a year

Pressure wash Welcome sign annually

Replace dead/diseased shrubs/trees as needed

Monitor and control insects, weeds and undesirable vegetation in grass areas and plant bed

1.0 Work Schedule

A work schedule for all landscaping and grounds maintenance activities is included in Attachment B. Prior to beginning each work cycle, the Contractor shall coordinate with the Engineer to minimize potential conflicts. The contact information for the Engineer is shown below.

Prior to beginning work, the Contractor shall submit to the Engineer, a copy of all Labels and Safety Data Sheets

(SDS) for all pesticides and adjuvants that the Contractor will use. The Contractor must abide as required by law to the instructions provided on the respective product label and shall follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for handling, mixing, and dispensing. In the event of inadvertent omission or error, the respective product labelling supersedes the specifications herein. Copies of the product SDS and labels are required to be on site during mixing and application. Failure to produce appropriate product SDS and label at any time during the project will result in a stop work order from the Engineer and shall result in a non-refundable deduction per day until such documents are provided.

Resident Maintenance Engineer

South Carolina Department of Transportation

1305 East Main Street

Dillon, South Carolina 29536

(843) 774-7376

2.0 Equipment

Only equipment designed for the performance of the work described herein will be acceptable for operation. All equipment shall be in good working order prior to operation. No equipment shall be operated that damages the pavement or turf.

Safety devices shall be properly installed and maintained at all times the equipment is in use, and all equipment shall be properly calibrated prior to use. All open portions of mowers must have acceptable guards to prevent objects from being thrown from under the mower while in operation. Prior to and during any work activity by the Contractor, the Engineer may inspect the equipment to verify that it is appropriate for the work to be performed. Any equipment deemed unacceptable by the Engineer will not be allowed to operate until such guards are in place and functioning properly.

3.0 Personnel and Safety

The Contractor shall be responsible for the safety and health of their employees and shall comply with all applicable safety regulations and provisions. The Contractor is responsible for ensuring that all employees and operators are qualified to safely operate mechanized mowing equipment. All equipment will be operated safely as per manufacturer recommendations.

Work will be performed in such a way to prevent damage to turf, trees, shrubs, groundcover, structures, site fixtures, parked or moving vehicles, the public, and SCDOT employees. Any damages and/or injuries caused as a result of the Contractor’s work will be the responsibility of the Contractor and shall be corrected by the Contractor. Any damages will be corrected to the satisfaction of the Engineer. The Contractor is responsible for contacting and locating all utilities prior to digging.

Any damage to utilities caused by the Contractor will be corrected immediately by the Contractor at no expense to the

SCDOT.

The Contractor shall report any known incidents that occur on site to the Engineer within one hour. The Contractor shall submit a written statement to the Engineer within 24 hours of being made aware of an incident. The statement shall describe the incident, lists names of those involved with contact phone numbers, and describe the extent of injury and/or damage.

4.0 Maintenance of Grassed Areas

The Contractor shall mow and string trim grassed areas biweekly between March 1st and October 31st, and monthly between

November 1st and February 28th to a uniform height ranging between 1” and 2”. The work in November, December, January, and February shall not be performed in consecutive weeks. The work in March shall be performed during the first and third full weeks of the month.

String trimming shall be used around signs, fences, utilities, trees, plant beds, around edges of pond and other areas inaccessible to mowers to provide a uniform grass height. All litter and debris in grassed areas and plant beds shall be removed and disposed of prior to mowing and trimming.

The Contractor shall edge (no string trimming) along and around sidewalks, curbs, single trees with mulch, plant beds, or wherever it is necessary to define a turf edge. The turf edge shall be no more than 1” from the edge of pavement and shall be at least 1/2” in depth. The schedule for edging shall be the same as mowing.

The Contractor shall monitor sprinkler system for proper operation and leaks monthly in grassed areas and plant beds. Ensure the sprinklers are not spraying water onto the interstate. Notify Resident Maintenance Engineer of any damage.

The Contractor shall drain the Sprinkler System pump annually in November.

5.0 Maintenance of Plant Beds

The Contractor shall remove and dispose of any weeds, grass, vines, leaves, litter, and other debris from plant beds each time mowing occurs. String trimmers are not allowed for weed and grass removal in plant beds.

The Contractor shall trim and prune shrubs, trees, and bushes in plant beds, around sign and around pond as needed in April, July, and October to maintain a natural appearance. All clippings and vegetative debris resulting from trimming and pruning should be removed from the plant beds and disposed of properly.

The Contractor shall apply a layer of mulch 2” to 4” deep in all plant beds in April, July, and October. No landscape fabric or soil shall be visible.

The Contractor shall pressure wash the Welcome to South Carolina Sign annually in June, without causing any damage to the sign.

The Contractor shall replace any dead or diseased shrubs and or trees as needed.

6.0 Insect, Weed, and Undesirable Vegetation Control

The Contractor shall monitor and control insects, including fire ants, weeds, and undesirable vegetation in grassed areas, plant beds, and Welcome Sign. Herbicides and pesticides may be used to control insects, including fire ants, weeds, and undesirable vegetation. If herbicides and/or pesticides are used, the applicator must be licensed by the Clemson University

Department of Pesticide Regulation.

All pesticide applicators must have a valid commercial South Carolina Pesticide Applicator License certified in

Category 3 Turf and Ornamental, registered to the bidder’s company. Licenses will be independently verified via the Clemson University Department of Pesticide Regulation’s “Verify a License” web tool found at:

http://regfocus.clemson.edu/dpr/commercial.htm

7.0 Non-Compliance / Non-Refundable Deductions / Contract Termination

Non-Compliance: The Engineer determines that the Contractor has…