Construction & Installation Services – East Harlem Tree Corridor Project

THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW YORK Request for Proposals (RFP) Construction & Installation Services - East Harlem Tree Corridor Project 1. RFP Overview The Horticultural Society of New York ("The Hort") invites qualified contractors to submit proposals to provide construction and installation services for the East Harlem Tree Corridor Project. This project will transform East 116th Street and East 125th Street into green corridors through tree planting, tree pit reconstruction, and streetscape improvements. This project is funded through a NYS Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) grant and a component of the East Harlem DRI Strategic Investment Plan. 2. Project Background The project includes: Installation of new street trees Remediation and expansion of existing tree pits Installation of planters and related green infrastructure Pruning and improvement of existing tree conditions This project runs through October 2029. Work will be scheduled on a rolling basis between the date of the award and the completion of the project. Work will be implemented in coordination with NYC Parks and NYC DOT. 3. Scope of Work - Construction & Installation The selected contractor(s) shall provide all labor, equipment, and supervision required to perform: A. Tree Pit Construction & Pavement Cutting Saw cutting and removal of sidewalk/pavement to create new tree pits Expansion of undersized pits to meet planting standards Excavation and removal of unsuitable soils and materials Preparation of subgrade for planting-ready conditions B. Tree Pit Remediation Removal of compacted soil, rubble, and obstructions Excavation to required depths Preparation of pits for future planting and soil installation C. Stump Removal / Dead Tree Removal Removal of dead or hazardous trees Stump grinding and full removal below grade Proper disposal of organic and construction waste Coordination with NYC Parks requirements and approvals D. Tree Guard Fabrication & Installation Fabrication and installation of custom tree guards, including: Ironwork and metal fabrication Installation across varying pit sizes and conditions Secure anchoring and alignment within existing sidewalks Compliance with NYC Parks and NYC DOT standards E. Site Work & Restoration Temporary site protection and pedestrian safety controls Backfilling, grading, and stabilization of work areas Restoration of disturbed sidewalk edges adjacent to tree pits Removal of all debris and cleanup F. Coordination Responsibilities Coordination with: The Hort project team Materials vendor (soil/planting materials) NYC Parks and NYC DOT (as required) 4. Permits and Compliance The contractor shall: Perform work in accordance with all required permits Coordinate with The Hort regarding permit status Comply with NYC Parks and NYC DOT requirements Support environmental review compliance where required 5. Budget Estimated Construction Budget: not to exceed $195,000 The Hort reserves the right to: Award work in phases Award to one or multiple contractors 6. NYS Certified MWBE Requirements The Hort and NYS encourage the participation by State-Certified Minority and Women owned Business Entities (MWBE) in the procurement of all goods and services. This DRI funded project has a MWBE goal of 30% of the total DRI grant. State-certified MWBEs are encouraged to submit responses to this RFP. Further, when comprising your team, including suppliers, please consider State Certified MWBE vendors. You can find out more about the State's MWBE program and search the MWBE directory online at: Minority & Women's Business Development | Empire State Development Please note that MWBE vendors must have received State Certification prior to entering into a contract with the Hort to qualify towards the project's 30% goal. NYC certification cannot be substituted for NYS Certification. Vendors must support compliance and reporting requirements. 7. Procurement Requirements This RFP is issued pursuant to a formal competitive procurement process Contractor selection and subcontract(s) may require: Department of State review Procurement certification documentation Contracts will include: Defined scope of work Deliverables and schedule Payment tied to milestones and completion 8. Vendor Qualifications Proposers must demonstrate: Experience with urban streetscape or landscape construction Experience working in NYC right-of-way conditions Familiarity with: Tree pit construction and expansion Tree installation in urban environments Ability to manage phased installation schedules 9. Proposal Requirements Proposals must include: A. Firm Information Company profile Relevant project experience B. Technical Approach Approach to excavation, installation, and site conditions Strategy for working in constrained urban environments C. Pricing Unit pricing preferred (to allow phased work) Clearly identify: Labor Equipment Materials and Supplies Subcontractor costs D. Schedule Proposed sequencing and installation approach E. MWBE Participation Certification (if applicable) Utilization strategy F. References Proposers must provide references for at least two (2) projects of similar scope, size, complexity, and nature completed within the last 10 years. For each project, provide the following information: Client/Organization Name Project Location Project Description, including scope of services provided Contract/Budget Amount Project Start and Completion Dates Duration of the Project Reference Contact Name and Title Reference Contact Telephone Number Reference Contact Email Address The Hort reserves the right to contact any reference provided to verify the Proposer's experience, performance, and ability to successfully complete the services contemplated under this RFP. 10. Evaluation Criteria Proposals will be evaluated based on: Relevant experience Technical approach Cost competitiveness Ability to meet schedule MWBE participation 11. Timeline RFP Issued: August 4, 2026 Questions Due: August 12, 2026 Proposals Due: August 26, 2026 Award: mid/late September 2026 12. General Conditions The Hort reserves the right to: Reject any or all proposals Request clarifications Negotiate scope and pricing Award may be made to: One contractor, or Multiple contractors 13. Submission Instructions Submit proposals electronically to: The Horticultural Society of New York BidInfo@thehort.org Subject line: "East Harlem RFP - Construction & Installation" Minority / Women Business Enterprise contracting goals (MWBE) Total MWBE Goals: 30.00%