54-TJK-09-PR39695, state route shoulder and median mowing and litter/debris removal

The North Carolina Department of Transportation, Division 9, is requesting proposals for state route shoulder and median mowing and litter/debris removal services across Davie, Forsyth, and Stokes Counties, with proposals due November 18, 2026 and a mandatory pre-bid conference on November 4, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. in Winston Salem. Contractors must be prequalified with NCDOT for work codes 016607 (Mowing) and 001105 (Work Zone Traffic Control Devices) prior to bid submission — a hard eligibility gate.

The scope encompasses approximately 2,789 road miles across multiple highway classifications (Interstate, Primary Divided, Primary Undivided, Secondary Divided, Secondary Paved, and Secondary Unpaved), with four cleanup mowing cycles and multiple routine maintenance cycles annually. Equipment must include a minimum of ten 60"–90" mowers, one 60"–72" zero-turn mower, supervisor vehicles, and full GPS tracking equipment with monitoring software on all mowing equipment. Mowing operations are prohibited May 1–31 annually. Liquidated damages apply for violation of the May moratorium ($2,000 per day), failure to meet cycle completion dates ($1,500 per day), equipment deficiencies ($2,500 per tractor per day), and other operational violations.

The contract runs March 1, 2027 through February 29, 2028, with NCDOT holding the option to extend for up to four additional one-year terms with unit prices adjusted annually by Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index. Payment is monthly based on actual shoulder miles mown and litter/debris removed, with fuel price adjustments calculated using a base diesel price of $5.0299 per gallon. Contractors must establish performance guarantees through either 100% Performance and Payment Bonds or a 6% retainage fee. All work is subject to traffic control requirements, work zone safety standards, and threatened and endangered species protections applicable to the counties. Questions are due prior to the pre-bid conference on November 4, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.