2025 Tree Planting Project-Celery Flats

The City of Portage, Michigan is seeking sealed bids for a two-year contract to implement a comprehensive tree planting project funded through the Michigan Urban and Community Forestry Inflation Reduction Act Grant. The project involves purchasing, planting, mulching, and maintaining a minimum of 250 trees across multiple municipal locations, including Celery Flats Park, Lexington Green Park, Romence Road Parkway, Portage City Hall, and Bicentennial Park. All trees must be native to Michigan, with specific requirements including 2.5-inch caliper deciduous trees or 6-7 foot evergreens, and must follow detailed planting guidelines that emphasize ecological diversity and urban forest restoration. The procurement timeline includes a pre-bid Zoom meeting on September 10, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., with sealed bids due on September 17, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. local time, to be submitted through the MITN Purchasing Group website. Bidders must provide comprehensive proposals detailing tree selection, planting techniques, and a two-year maintenance plan, with the City reserving the right to reject any or all bids and award to the most responsive and responsible bidder.

While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are explicitly stated, bidders must meet comprehensive insurance requirements, including workers' compensation, general liability, and automobile liability insurance with specified coverage limits. The project does not mention incumbent vendors, but requires contractors to verify all quantities and project scope items. The contract will be awarded as a lump sum, pending City Council budget approval, with the potential to award by line item if deemed appropriate. Funding is derived from municipal resources and the Michigan Urban and Community Forestry Inflation Reduction Act Grant, suggesting a budget focused on environmental restoration and urban forest enhancement. The project timeline indicates planting will commence on September 29, 2025, and be completed by October 31, 2025, with maintenance continuing through October 29, 2027. Specific details on the total contract value are not provided in the documentation, but the project involves comprehensive tree planting and maintenance services across multiple city locations.