Furnish and install SOD at new state road softball fields

The Town of Manchester, Connecticut, is seeking bids for ITB #23/24-2 to furnish and install sod at the New State Road Softball Fields Complex located at 250 New State Road in Manchester. The procurement requires a minimum of 64,500 square feet of locally-grown turf-grass sod, with specific composition requirements of at least 85% Kentucky Bluegrass using approved varieties such as Limousine, Princeton, A-34, Midnight, Adelphi, Eclipse, and Touchdown. Bidders can quote for sod supply, installation, or both, with the Town reserving the right to award the contract based on the best municipal interests. The bid was released on July 21, 2023, with a question submission deadline of August 2, 2023, and a final response deadline of August 8, 2023, at 11:00 am. Bidders must provide detailed documentation of sod varieties, ensure the sod is cut to a specific depth, recently mowed, and grown within a 50-mile radius of Manchester. The sod installation will be evaluated based on compliance with technical specifications, local sourcing requirements, and overall bid responsiveness.

The contract is subject to the Town of Manchester's Living Wage Ordinance, which mandates specific wage standards for covered employers. Bidders must complete a Living Wage Certification Form, declaring whether they are a "Covered Employer" required to pay $15.34 per hour with comprehensive health benefits or $23.35 per hour without benefits. There are exemptions for nonprofits, businesses with fewer than 25 employees, or contracts valued under $25,000. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the procurement allows for flexibility in contract award, potentially considering both sod furnishing and installation costs. The bid appears open to all qualified vendors who can meet the technical specifications and local sourcing requirements, with no explicit set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises mentioned in the available documentation. Bids will be opened virtually via Zoom, with the Town maintaining discretion in final contract award to ensure the best outcome for the municipal softball field project.