54-TJK-11-PR39595, state route shoulder and median mowing

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is requesting proposals for state route shoulder and median mowing services in Alleghany County, Division 11, covering 450 road miles across Interstate, Primary, and Secondary routes, with proposals due November 18, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Pre-qualification is mandatory for the prime contractor and all subcontractors at least two business days prior to bid submission; no MBE/WBE goal applies.

The contractor must provide all equipment, labor, materials, and transportation for routine mowing, cleanup mowing, and litter and debris removal. Vegetation must be cut to four inches in height using rear and side-mounted flail mowers only; 10'-15' flex wing mowers are prohibited. The contractor must field a minimum of four 60"-90" mowers and assign a supervisor and service truck dedicated to the county. Liquidated damages are assessed at $500 per day for mowing during the May 1–May 31 moratorium period, $250 per tractor per day for failing to field the minimum mower count, and $500 per incident for using prohibited equipment.

The contract is effective March 15, 2027 through December 31, 2027, with NCDOT discretion to extend for up to four additional renewal terms (five terms maximum). The maximum annual contract value is $5 million per year pursuant to N.C. General Statute 136-28.1(b). Payment is monthly upon receipt of approved invoices based on actual quantities of work completed and accepted. Unit prices are adjusted annually by the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index for Services; a fuel price adjustment provision is included for diesel #2 fuel based on a base index of $5.0299 per gallon. The contractor may elect either a Performance and Payment Bond option (100% of contract amount each) or a Retainage Fee option (6% withheld from invoices). Questions are due October 30, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. to Teddy Kapera at tjkapera@ncdot.gov. No pre-bid conference will be held; clarifications are addressed through addenda.