D8 Landscaping/Ground Maintenance Rest Areas 47/48

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) District 8 is soliciting bids for landscaping and grounds maintenance services for Rest Area sites 47 and 48, located in Dauphin County along Interstate 81. The contract requires comprehensive maintenance of 10.0 acres, including turf areas, plant beds, shrubs, trees, and picnic areas. Specific service requirements include weekly mowing from mid-April through October 31 (cutting grass to 2-4 inches), debris removal, weed control, mulching, spring cleanup before May 15th, turf care with fertilizer applications, lime application, and leaf removal from November 1 through December 10. Contractors must provide all necessary equipment, materials, and personnel, including a skilled foreman, and must hold a valid Commonwealth Restricted Use Pesticide License for herbicide application. The bid requires submission of multiple documents including Micro Business Certification, Certificate of Liability Insurance, Worker Protection Form, and Pesticide Applicator Licensing Record. All questions must be submitted by December 15, 2025, at 10:00 A.M. (EST), with a virtual public bid opening scheduled for December 23, 2025, at 10:00 A.M. (EST) via Microsoft Teams.

This procurement is exclusively set aside as a Micro Business Reserve, meaning only businesses certified by the Department of General Services (DGS) as Micro Businesses prior to the bid closing date are eligible to participate. Contractors must apply for DGS Certification through the specified online application portal before submitting their bid. The contract term is one year, with potential for four additional yearly renewals at the unit prices quoted in the original bid. A penalty of $200 per occurrence will be assessed for unsatisfactory performance, which will be deducted from monthly payments. Payment will be made by performance for mowing and maintenance, with materials costs billed at supplier invoice price plus 10%. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the comprehensive nature of the maintenance services suggests a substantial annual contract value. The Commonwealth reserves the right to make renewal decisions approximately 90 days prior to the end of each contracted year, providing flexibility in contract management.