54-TJK-09-PR39702, state route shoulder and median mowing including vegetation trimming and litter/debris removal

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is requesting proposals for state route shoulder and median mowing, vegetation trimming, and litter and debris removal services across Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Rowan, and Stokes Counties (Division 9), with proposals due November 18, 2026 and a mandatory pre-bid conference on November 4, 2026 at 9:00 AM in Winston Salem. Contractor prequalification is mandatory for work codes 016607 (Mowing) and 001105 (Work Zone Traffic Control Devices), with approval required at least two business days prior to bid submission.

The scope encompasses routine and cleanup mowing of shoulders and medians, string trimming around stationary objects such as guardrails and signs, and litter and debris removal along the State Highway System. The contractor must provide minimum equipment including two 60"–90" mowers, ten 10'–15' flex wing mowers, one 60"–72" zero turn mower, and GPS-equipped vehicles for monitoring. A mowing moratorium under N.C. Session Law 2025-47 (SB 391) prohibits string trimming and mowing operations from May 1 through May 31 unless directed by the Engineer; violations incur $2,000 daily liquidated damages, as do failure to begin work within five days, failure to meet intermediate completion times, and other non-compliance issues.

The contract term runs from March 1, 2027 through February 29, 2028, with the possibility of extension for up to four additional one-year terms at NCDOT's discretion. Annual award amounts do not exceed $5 million per year under N.C. General Statute 136-28.1(b). Bid prices are subject to monthly fuel price adjustments based on diesel fuel costs with a base index price of $5.0299 per gallon. The contractor must select either 100% Performance and Payment Bonds or a 6% retainage fee held by NCDOT as the performance guarantee option. Payment is made monthly based on actual quantities of completed and accepted work. Bid opening occurs November 18, 2026 at 2:00 PM.