Downtown Improvement District (DID) Enhanced Landscape Maintenance

The City of Sarasota, on behalf of the Downtown Improvement District (DID), is seeking a qualified landscaping vendor to provide enhanced landscape maintenance services for various public Right-of-Way (ROW) areas within Downtown Sarasota. The procurement, identified as Invitation to Bid (ITB) 25-41SS, covers comprehensive landscape management across six distinct zones along Palm Avenue and Main Street. Specific services include bi-weekly landscape patrol, debris removal, mulching, edging, pruning, weed control, quarterly irrigation reporting, and plant inventory management. Vendor qualifications are stringent, requiring a minimum of ten years of horticultural experience, a Certified Pest Control Operators License, and demonstrated expertise in Florida-specific landscaping practices. The contract is structured for an initial three-year term, with the option for two additional one-year renewals, beginning immediately after the current DID Landscaping contract expires on December 12, 2025. The bid is due on September 26, 2025, and vendors must submit a comprehensive bid package including detailed pricing, experience documentation, and all required forms outlined in Exhibit A. Evaluation will focus on the lowest responsible bidder who meets all qualifications and demonstrates capability to perform the specified landscaping tasks.

The solicitation does not explicitly indicate specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, though it does offer a local vendor preference mechanism that provides potential advantages to Sarasota City and County businesses. The bid allows local city businesses within 5% of the lowest bid to match pricing and potentially win the contract. While no incumbent vendor is specifically named, the document suggests continuity of services from the existing contract. The bid requires vendors to provide comprehensive documentation including employee residency statistics, subcontractor lists, and professional references. Insurance requirements, conflict of interest disclosures, and compliance with local regulations are mandatory. Though a specific budget range is not disclosed, the bid form includes detailed pricing sections where vendors must provide per-zone and annual cost breakdowns, indicating the expectation of competitive pricing. Vendors must also demonstrate wholesale pricing discounts for plant materials and provide evidence of robust staff management capabilities and Florida-specific certifications.