Specifications (19).pdf

SPECIFICATIONS

SCOPE

Harris County is soliciting bids for a term contract for the supply of Various Wildflower Seeds and Related Items for the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) for one (1) year beginning approximately September 14, 2026.

VIRTUAL PRE-BID CONFERENCE

A voluntary virtual pre-bid conference is scheduled for Wednesday August 19th, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. CST, local time via Microsoft Teams.

Click here to join the meeting Meeting ID : 229 843 595 116 304

Passcode: Q5fA6Dd2 Virtual Teams Meeting Link https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/229843595116304?p=sVgbS0RPVsjH4MYaGM

Or call in (audio only) +1 281-985-1862,763917916#

Attendance is not mandatory but encouraged so that all vendors have a better understanding of the requirements of this bid. The pre-bid conference will not be rescheduled due to tardiness or any other issues that may arise, no exceptions. Persons with disabilities requiring special accommodations should contact the Purchasing Office at

(713) 274- 4400 at least two (2) days prior to the pre-bid conference.

It is the responsibility of each vendor to examine the entire bid package, seek written clarification, and review their bid for accuracy before submission. Questions relating to this bid must be submitted in writing and directed to Hugh Taylor hugh.taylor@pur.hctx.net, Office of the Purchasing Agent, through Bonfire. The deadline for submission of questions relating to this bid is listed on the Event schedule of this project. All questions submitted in writing prior to the deadline will be compiled and answered in writing. A copy of all questions and answers will be released as a Public Notice to all firms. The County will not be bound by any information conveyed verbally.

M/WBEs Harris County strives to engage with prime contractors and subcontractors that represent the diverse businesses of the County. We will ensure that historically underutilized minority- and woman-owned businesses (M/WBEs) receive a fair and equal opportunity to participate in the County's procurement process. The County expects Vendors to make a good faith effort, and the Vendor agrees to reasonably assist the County to meet or exceed goals for awarding contracts associated with a project the County procures, operates, maintains, or constructs to M/WBEs.

RENEWAL OPTIONS

Harris County may consider four (4) one-year renewal options, renewable one (1) year at a time, based upon the same terms, conditions and pricing as the original year. Renewal is subject to approval by Harris County Commissioners Court. Once renewal options are exhausted, the contract must be rebid. Harris County reserves the right to rebid at any time as is in its best interest and is not automatically bound to renew.

CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED PARTIES (FORM 1295)

Supply of Various Wildflower Seed and Related Items for the Harris County Flood Control District https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MDVlZDExNWUtMjUxNy00NmQ3LWI1ZDMtZDg3MTBkMjllM2Uy%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%220d9bc79c-581b-4477-acf7-8d70dd3e555a%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22c3bf1045-a17f-4783-8bab-5394b7b29a2c%22%7d https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/229843595116304?p=sVgbS0RPVsjH4MYaGM mailto:hugh.taylor@pur.hctx.net

SPECIFICATIONS (CONTINUED)

Texas law requires all parties who enter into any contract with the County which must be approved by Commissioners Court to disclose all interested parties. Form 1295 must be completed in its entirety at the following website: https://www.ethics.state.tx.us/filinginfo/1295/ prior to submitting your response. Failure to do so may result in disqualification of your response.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

The rates quoted on the BidTable must be all-inclusive. “All-inclusive” shall be construed as costs incorporating all charges for labor, material, equipment, pick-up, transporting, disposal and any other cost incurred. No separate line-item rates or charges will be accepted. Quantities are estimates. Harris County may require more or less. In case of discrepancy between unit and total pricing, unit pricing governs.

Pricing is an important element of this bid; however, evaluation of the bids will not be limited to price along. The ability to perform other requirements stated within this contract will also be weighted for the contract award.

This bid or Commissioners Court approved award does not obligate Harris County or HCFCD to the eventual purchase of any product/service described, implied or which may be proposed. Progress toward this end is solely at the discretion of Harris County and HCFCD and may be terminated at any time.

The County may award to more than one (1) vendor as “Primary” and “Secondary”. The “Secondary” vendor will be utilized as necessary due to time constraints, availability, etc.

No compensation will be received for any bid items unless they are actually used on the job under the direction of the field engineer. Any additional items required over and above those listed on the BidTable will have to be secured on a change-in-contract and are not to be used until they have been approved by the Harris County Auditor’s Office, HCFCD and/or Commissioners Court.

It may be required that the vendor submit a sample of specified items on the BidTable for inspection and approval by HCFCD prior to order placement.

USAGE REPORTS

Harris County reserves the right to request, and receive at no additional cost, up to two (2) times during the contract period, a usage report detailing the products and/or services furnished to date under a contract resulting from this bid. The reports must be furnished no later than five (5) working days after written request and itemize all purchases to date by Harris County department, description of each item purchased, including manufacturer, quantity of each item purchased, per unit and extended price of each item purchased, and total amount and price of all items purchased.

INVOICING

Vendor shall furnish Harris County an itemized invoice for services performed. Vendor shall furnish upon request any supporting documentation for invoices including but not limited to service tickets, invoices/receipts of materials used for repairs and subcontractor invoices. Invoices shall state that these specifications have been strictly adhered to, and that the vendor has not received, and will not receive, any money or other type of compensation from any party for the services for which Harris County is paying.

CHANGE IN CONTRACT

Should any changes to the contract be required, a Change in Contract form shall be generated by Harris County Purchasing and will be sent to the awarded vendor(s) for execution. Any changes in contract shall be in writing and must be signed by both Harris County and the awarded vendor.

https://www.ethics.state.tx.us/filinginfo/1295/

PURCHASE ORDERS

Products and/or services must not be provided, and invoices will not be paid without a purchase order, signed by the Harris County Purchasing Agent. Purchase orders will be written in annual increments when applicable. Once a purchase order is issued, the using department will contact vendor directly to place orders.

NO CONFIDENTIALITY OF BIDS

Once opened, bids are public records. There are no exceptions. When submitting a bid, vendor must be sure to redact confidential information if the information is needed to address requirements of the bid. If there are any questions concerning confidentiality of information to be submitted, contact Hugh (Trey) Taylor immediately at hugh.taylor@pur.hctx.net.

ALTERATION OF DOCUMENT

No alterations may be made to this document. Any alterations made may result in the bid being rejected. The terms and conditions contained within this bid supersede all conflicting terms within any cooperative purchasing contracts associated with this purchase.

TOLL FEES

Any and all toll/parking FEES incurred by the vendor during the term of this contract will be the responsibility of the vendor.

PURCHASE ORDERS

Products and/or services must not be provided and invoices will not be paid without a purchase order, signed by the Harris County Purchasing Agent. Purchase orders will be written in annual increments. Once a purchase order is issued, the using department will contact vendor directly to place orders.

DELIVERY

Orders shall be placed on an as-needed basis. Order placement must be accompanied by the purchase order number. In the event vendor fails to deliver within the time specified by the vendor, the Purchasing Agent reserves the right to authorize purchases of these products and/or services on the open market. In such event, vendor agrees to reimburse Harris County for the extra cost incurred or provide a credit memorandum to cover the costs so that said amount may be deducted from invoices.

ACCEPTANCE OF GOODS

Harris County reserves the right to test goods for quality and performance. Although the bid may be awarded and confirmed by a purchase order, the goods are subject to rejection if the product(s) fail to perform in accordance with all requirements and specifications and/or fail to meet the needs of the end user.

SPECIFICATIONS

The vendor(s) shall furnish and deliver, as required, wildflower seed mix, individual wildflower seed species and related items to the Harris County Flood Control District. Harris County makes no guarantees regarding contract usage, profit, revenue, or volume of work to the vendor.

• Provide pricing for all species, including the 40 lb. mix and individual as-requested species.

• The 40 lb. wildflower mix will appear as one line item on the BidTable(s).

• The 40 lb. Wildflower Seed Mix shall be supplied in 40 lb. bags, clearly labeled with species composition and percentages as listed in tables.

• Individually purchased species, when requested, shall be added to the standard 40 lb. Wildflower Seed

Mix when specific project sites require enhanced species diversity, supplemental coverage, or targeted ecological benefits.

mailto:jose.camacho@pur.hctx.net

• Individually purchased species shall not replace any species or percentages in the standard 40 lb. mix unless expressly authorized in writing by Harris County Flood Control District.

• Additional species will appear as separate line items.

• All seeds must meet applicable purity, germination, and labeling standards required for commercial sale in Texas.

Harris County Wildflower Seed Mix, 40-lb Bag Description: Contains the following species in the listed proportions:

Common name Scientific name Percent of mix (lbs.)

Texas Blue Bonnets Lupinus texensis 15% (6.0 lb) Prairie Verbena Glandularia bipennatifida 5% (2.0 lb) Showy Primrose Oenothera speciosa 6% (2.4 lb) Plains Coreopsis Coreopsis tinctoria 15% (6.0 lb) Mexican Hat Ratibida columnifera 7% (2.8 lb) Drummond Phlox Phlox drummondii 5% (2.0 lb) Clasping Coneflower Dracopis amplixicaulis 6% (2.4 lb) Dwarf Red Plains Coreopsis

Coreopsis tinctoria, dwarf variety

15% (6.0 lb)

Lemon Mint Monara citriodora 6% (2.4 lb) Black Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta 15% (6.0 lb) Partridge Pea Chamaecrista fasciculata 5% (2.0 lb)

As-Needed Species (Individual Line Items). Vendor must provide unit pricing for each species listed below:

Line Item

Species Scientific Name Unit of Measure

Estimated Quantity (Lbs.)

1 Lanceleaf Coreopsis Coreopsis lanceolata Per lb 50 2 Fuego Indian Blanket Gaillardia pulchella Per lb 150 3 Crockett Herbaceous Mimosa Mimosa strigillosa Per lb 25 4 Green Milkweed Asclepias viridis Per lb 10 5 Cajun Ashy Sunflower Helianthus mollis Per lb 50 6 Butterfly Milkweed Asclepias tuberosa Per lb 15

DESCRIPTION

The seed types are native grass seeds and wildflower seeds and shall be produced from a seed source located in Texas. Each bag shall have a tag showing the common name and botanical name, percentage by weight of each plant species, year of harvest, percent purity, germination and dormant seed, percent noxious weed content, date of certification, seed origination and percent of pure live seed (PLS). A tag shall be affixed to each seed bag. Any seed bags without tags will be rejected. Seed must be provided in a clean, unopened and undamaged bag without objectionable material such as sticks, stems and un-thrashed seed heads, which will hinder proper distribution.

Seed shall be tested and certified by a commercial or state laboratory no more than nine (9) months prior to delivery from vendor. All seed blends must contain PLS. Seed should be provided in clean undamaged forty (40)

lb. bags.

Vendor shall furnish and deliver as required, the supply wildflower seed mix, individual wildflower seed species and related items as detailed in the BidTable(s) of this bid. HCFCD will receive all deliveries of seed to the following address: Michael Talbott Service Center-Distribution Center, 10770 Vinecrest Drive, Houston, TX 77086.

For bidding purposes and to get a better understanding of the requirements of this bid, please refer to the attachment titled Additional Specifications, available under Public Files within Bonfire.

DESCRIPTION