Exotic VEG. Control/removal; intall native/littoral plants

The Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners issued Invitation for Bid (IFB) #23-020/JM for exotic vegetation control and removal services coupled with native and littoral plant installation throughout Palm Beach County. This procurement encompasses two lots: Lot #1 utilizing non-federal dollars and Lot #2 utilizing federal funds. The scope of work requires contractors to remove invasive exotic plant species listed on Florida's Exotic Plant Pest Council (FLEPPC) list using manual, mechanical, or chemical treatment methods; prepare sites and install native and littoral plants with twelve-month guarantees; and construct nature trails. Deliverables for the initial twelve-month term include approximately 10,385 hours of standard labor, 5,540 hours of on-site supervision, various equipment rental hours, and installation of 22 native and littoral plant items for Lot #1 plus five tree and palm items for Lot #2. Successful bidders must hold Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services pesticide licenses for Ornamental and Turf Pest Control, Aquatic Pest Control, and Right of Way Pest Control; maintain minimum insurance coverage including Commercial General Liability ($500,000), Pollution Legal and Remediation Liability ($500,000 per occurrence/$1,000,000 aggregate for herbicide/pesticide applicators), Business Auto Liability ($500,000), and Workers' Compensation; and provide three professional references demonstrating similar work experience within the past three years. Bidders were required to submit sealed bids to the Palm Beach County Purchasing Department no later than April 6, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, with pricing submitted on a firm fixed time and material basis for labor and equipment and actual cost reimbursement for chemicals. The contract term extends for twelve months with options to renew for four additional twelve-month periods subject to mutual agreement and Board appropriation of funds.

Lot #1 includes a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) price preference provision allowing certified SBEs within ten percent of the lowest non-SBE bid to receive award consideration. Non-federally funded portions of the procurement are subject to Equal Business Opportunity (EBO) Program requirements with Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 documentation required for subcontractor participation. Lot #2, which is federally funded, requires compliance with Davis-Bacon prevailing wage standards, Contract Work Hours and Safety Act provisions, Clean Air Act compliance for procurements exceeding $150,000, Byrd Anti-Lobbying Amendment certification, and debarment and suspension certifications; additionally, all bidders must comply with E-Verify employment eligibility verification requirements and maintain records for five years post-completion. The anticipated contract value is $868,000 during the initial twelve-month term. Award recommendations will be publicly posted for five business days prior to final approval, and the resulting contract will be binding upon acceptance by Palm Beach County, with all unit prices held firm for ninety days from bid submission and throughout the initial and any subsequent contract terms.