2024 Equitable Street Tree Investment Plantings

The City of Pittsburgh's Department of Public Works is seeking a contractor for the 2024 Equitable Street Tree Investment Plantings project, specifically targeting tree plantings in the Homewood and Hill District neighborhoods. The procurement is an Invitation for Bid (IFB #2024-IFB-334) to supply and install 54 street trees, with 7 sites requiring tree pit expansions. The trees will be 2-inch caliper, balled and burlapped, with a 5-foot clear trunk, and must be staked and mulched according to city standards. Contractors will be responsible for weekly watering of the trees throughout the first year after planting and must provide a one-year warranty. The project is funded through a DCNR grant and targets Justice40 Neighborhoods, with tree species including Blackgum, Cornelian Cherry, Crabapple, Serviceberry, and others. Key bid documents were released on October 18, 2024, with a deadline for questions on November 8, 2024, and bid submissions due on November 15, 2024, at 2:00 pm. The project requires detailed geospatial planting locations, with precise latitude and longitude coordinates for each tree site.

The procurement includes specific requirements for vendor participation, with federal funding mandating compliance with Equal Opportunity Review Commission (EORC) goals of 18% minority and 7% women participation. Vendors must register on SAM.gov, obtain a Unique Entity ID, and complete various forms including a vendor contact sheet, registration form, and W-9. The project emphasizes domestic preference for procurement, requiring preference for products produced in the United States when possible. Contractors must adhere to federal regulations including the Byrd Anti-Lobbying Amendment and Build America/Buy America Act. While specific budget details are not explicitly stated, the comprehensive nature of the project suggests a focused urban forestry initiative aimed at improving green infrastructure in historically underserved neighborhoods. The project is subject to various compliance requirements and is designed to enhance urban tree canopy through strategic tree species selection and placement in the Homewood and Hill District areas of Pittsburgh.