GROUNDS MAINTANENANCE-OCONEE MAINT

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for comprehensive grounds maintenance services at the Oconee Maintenance Office located at 150 Richland Road in Westminster, SC. The procurement seeks a contractor to provide weekly mowing and edging during the growing season (April-October, approximately 30 services annually) and bi-weekly maintenance during the dormant season (November-March). Specific service requirements include weed control through chemical and manual treatment, bed edging and trimming, disease and insect management, and facility cleanliness involving debris removal and parking lot maintenance. The bid schedule covers 150 weeks of weekly grounds maintenance and 50 weeks of bi-weekly dormant season maintenance. Key deadlines include September 24, 2021 at 2:30 p.m. for question submissions and September 29, 2021 at 2:30 p.m. for offer submissions, with award notification scheduled for October 1, 2021. The contract is estimated to run from October 5, 2021 to October 4, 2026 (five years), with an automatic one-year renewal option unless the state provides notice of non-renewal at least thirty days prior to expiration.

The procurement applies South Carolina preferences for resident vendors and resident subcontractors as defined in state law. Contractors must maintain specific insurance requirements, including Commercial General Liability insurance with $1,000,000 per occurrence, Auto Liability coverage of $1,000,000 per accident, and Workers' Compensation insurance with statutory limits. The successful bidder must employ a supervisor available within one hour of notification and maintain all personnel certifications, including valid driver's licenses and South Carolina Certified Pesticide Applicator Licenses for herbicide applicators. All contractors must register with the state vendor registration system and comply with South Carolina ethics, debarment, and illegal immigration statutes. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder, with pricing fixed for the initial contract term. Potential price adjustments during renewal terms are limited and subject to procurement officer approval, with increases capped at the Consumer Price Index. The solicitation indicates a re-bid status, suggesting a previous unsuccessful procurement for these services.