54-TJK-14-PR37008, professional lawn and grounds maintenance of rest area

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Division 14 is requesting proposals for professional lawn and grounds maintenance at the Polk County Rest Area/Welcome Center on I-26 Westbound, three miles north of the NC/SC stateline, with proposals due July 29, 2026 and a question deadline of July 15, 2026. This is a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) set-aside contract; bidders must hold SBE certification from NCDOT's Office of Civil Rights.

The scope includes mowing, landscaping, weed control, pesticide application, leaf removal, and general facility upkeep. Bidders must hold a current North Carolina Ground Applicator Pesticide License with Ornamental and Turf pest control sub-classification. Minimum staffing is twenty-five man hours per week from March through November and fifteen man hours per week from December through February. General liability insurance of $5 million per occurrence is required. Contractors must submit to nationwide criminal background checks for all employees. A performance guarantee equal to five percent of monthly compensation is required for the initial contract year and will be refunded upon satisfactory completion unless an extension is executed.

The annual payment ceiling is $1 million per year under North Carolina General Statute 136-28.10. The initial contract term runs from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027, with potential extensions for four additional one-year periods (maximum five years total) at a one percent annual increase. Extensions are at NCDOT's sole discretion; the contractor has fifteen days to accept or reject extension offers and must provide proof of insurance thirty days prior to contract expiration. General contractor licensing and payment/performance bonds are waived under this SBE set-aside.