2026-2027 Storm Response Services-Tree Trimming

Central Florida Electric Cooperative, Inc. (CFEC) has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for storm response services including tree trimming, equipment provision, and manpower to support power restoration efforts during the 2026-2027 contract period. CFEC serves 37,130 active services across Alachua, Dixie, Gilchrist, and Levy Counties in north central Florida and seeks qualified contractors to respond to hurricane damage, storm surges, and tornadoes by providing all necessary labor, equipment, and materials for restoration work. The contractor must submit detailed pricing with separate line items for labor positions (supervisor/general foreman, foreman/crew leader, climber, trimmer, and groundman/laborer) and equipment (55-60' bucket, pick-up truck, and skid steer or tractor with grapple) at both straight time and premium time rates for both 2026 and 2027. Required qualifications and submission materials include three letters of reference, safety records with OSHA 300A Summaries and Experience Modification Rates for 2022-2024, proof of insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence/$3,000,000 aggregate for general liability, and resumes of key personnel. Proposals are due by 3:00 p.m. on February 27, 2026, with a question deadline of February 11, 2026, and contract award is anticipated for April 3, 2026. The contract term extends through December 31, 2027, with services commencing on an as-needed basis. Selection will be based on a 100-point evaluation scale assessing cost/price (0-30 points), prior experience (0-20 points), references (0-20 points), technical merit (0-15 points), and responsiveness to proposal (0-15 points), with a minimum qualifying score of 70 points required.

The RFP documentation does not identify any set-aside designations, disadvantaged enterprise restrictions, or incumbent vendors currently serving CFEC. No specific award value or budget range is disclosed in the available materials. CFEC reserves the right to award the contract to the most advantageous proposal rather than the lowest priced submission, and no public bid opening will be conducted as CFEC does not meet the definition of a state and local government agency. Interested contractors should direct questions to CFEC by the February 11, 2026 deadline and prepare comprehensive proposals addressing all evaluation criteria to enhance their competitiveness for selection.