Coconut and Palm Tree Trimming

The State of Hawaii, Department of Accounting and General Services, Central Services Division is procuring coconut and palm tree trimming services for various state facilities on the island of Oahu through Invitation for Bid (IFB) No. CSD-26-032-O, with proposals due by May 27, 2026. The procurement encompasses all labor, equipment, tools, materials, and transportation necessary to perform comprehensive trimming services on coconut, royal, Loulu, Manila, Alexander, date, oil, Kohune, triangle, and Palmyra palms across 36 prioritized state facilities including libraries, government office buildings, health centers, civic centers, and historic sites such as Iolani Palace and the State Capitol. The contractor must complete three trimming cycles annually between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027, with work performed between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on state workdays, and must submit a detailed trimming schedule ten working days prior to commencing work. All trimming operations must be performed under the direct supervision of an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist with minimum five years of arboriculture experience and demonstrated expertise in palm tree species, pruning practices, and safety standards including ANSI A300 and ANSI Z133.1-2006; contractors are prohibited from using climbing spikes on any palm trees and must remove all debris the same day work is completed. Additional requirements include inspection for white tern nesting (a protected species) before and during work, monitoring for coconut rhinoceros beetle infestations, installation of bungee cords on royal palm tree frond sheaths, submission of site access plans ten working days in advance for facilities with restrictions on aerial lift placement, and compliance with all federal, state, and county regulations and licensing requirements. Bidders must submit all proposals electronically through the Hawaii State eProcurement system (HIePRO) and include completed Offer Forms A and B, Wage Certificate, IRS Form W-9, valid Hawaii Type C-27 or C-27-B tree trimming license, and current ISA Arborist certification, with award made to the responsible offeror submitting the lowest responsive total sum bid price.

The procurement does not identify any specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises or restrictions limiting responses to particular organizational types, though all contractors must demonstrate substantial prior experience and qualifications to be considered responsive. Contractors must possess a minimum of ten consecutive years of tree trimming experience, prior experience with State of Hawaii agencies, a valid and maintained C-27 or C-27-B contractor license, a permanent office and service facility on Oahu with two-hour response capability and twenty-four-hour on-site arrival capability, and maintain general liability insurance with limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate plus automobile liability and workers compensation coverage. Prevailing wage requirements under Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 103-55 apply, with minimum hourly wages of $29.30 for Tree Trimmers and $27.09 for Tree Trimmer-Truck Drivers as of July 1, 2024, and all contractors must comply with Hawaii wage and employment laws. No incumbent contractors or existing service providers are identified in the available procurement documents. The contract is available for initial award as a twelve-month term with provisions for extension up to four additional twelve-month periods through mutual written agreement provided extended pricing remains equal to or lower than the initial bid, though no specific budget range or award value is disclosed in the solicitation materials. Bidders should note that quantities of palms to be trimmed and number of annual trimmings are estimates only, with the state retaining flexibility to increase, reduce, or reschedule work based on available funding.