ALI120363 09/30/2025 15:31:47

The South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism (SCPRT) has issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for comprehensive ground maintenance services at the Santee Welcome Center, located in Clarendon County. The procurement seeks a contractor to provide full-scale grounds maintenance, including mowing, landscaping, irrigation system monitoring, weed control, mulching, pruning, and related services for a 60-month contract period. The initial contract term is one year with four potential one-year renewals, with a projected start date of November 3, 2025. Bidders must possess at least five years of commercial landscaping experience and provide three references of similar project scope. A mandatory pre-bid conference is scheduled for October 14, 2025, at the Santee Welcome Center, with bid submissions due by October 22, 2025, at 3:00 PM. Evaluation criteria will focus on comprehensive monthly pricing, with potential preferences given to resident contractors and subcontractors. The contractor will be responsible for all equipment, materials, personnel, and maintenance activities, including soil testing, fertilization, pest control, and adherence to specific maintenance standards for various landscape zones.

The solicitation does not explicitly outline set-aside designations or specific restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The contract includes provisions for landscaping improvements up to $50,000 per location over the contract's life, with the contractor being reimbursed for detailed expenditures. Mowing services will also include clear zone maintenance along interstate entrance and exit ramps, requiring three annual mowing cycles with vegetation maintained at a uniform height between 2-4 inches. Contractors must provide their own equipment meeting specific safety and traffic control requirements, including top-mounted amber warning lights and high-visibility worker attire. While a specific budget range is not detailed, the 60-month contract structure suggests a substantial multi-year investment in grounds maintenance services. Payment will be managed by SCPRT, with the ability to withhold compensation for unsatisfactory work, damages, or incomplete tasks. The anticipated contract award is expected to be posted on October 24, 2025.