54-TJK-07-PR40776, state route shoulder and median mowing

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is requesting proposals for state route shoulder and median mowing services across Alamance, Caswell, Guilford, Orange, and Rockingham counties in Division 7, with proposals due November 18, 2026. Contractor prequalification under NCDOT Work Code 016607 (Mowing) and work-zone traffic-control prequalification under Work Code 001105 are mandatory eligibility requirements.

The scope covers routine cleanup mowing of vegetation along the State Highway System — interstates, primary divided and undivided routes, and secondary paved and unpaved systems — with anticipated five mowing cycles per year. Contractors must provide minimum equipment including ten flex-wing mowers and additional mowing equipment as specified. Work runs from March 15, 2027 through December 31, 2027, and may be extended at NCDOT's discretion for up to five total terms.

The maximum annual payment is $5 million. Unit pricing is based on shoulder miles mown; fuel adjustments are calculated monthly using a base diesel index price of $5.0299 per gallon as of October 1, 2026. Annual unit prices are adjusted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index for the Services category. Contractors must elect between 100 percent Performance and Payment Bonds or a 6 percent retainage held as performance guarantee.

Contractors must maintain a NCDOT Certified Work Zone Supervisor at all times and comply with mowing moratoriums under SL 2025-47 (SB 391) from May 1 through May 31 annually. Liquidated damages apply for failure to begin work on time ($500 per day), operating outside work-hour restrictions ($250 per hour), failure to field minimum mower quantities ($250 per tractor per day), unauthorized mowing during moratorium ($500 per day), and other compliance violations ($50–$500 per occurrence). No MBE/WBE goal is required. Questions are due October 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM to tjkapera@ncdot.gov; bid opening occurs November 18, 2026 at 2:00 PM.