GROUNDS MAINTENANCE JOHN DE LA HOWE

The State of South Carolina, specifically the Division of Procurement Services acting on behalf of John de la Howe School in Lexington County, is soliciting bids for comprehensive grounds maintenance services located at 146 Tomb Road, McCormick, South Carolina. The procurement is an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for a one-year initial contract with four optional one-year renewal periods, potentially extending the contract to a maximum of five years. The scope of work includes detailed lawn and landscape management services such as turf cutting, pruning, edging, debris removal, mulch application, fertilization, weed and pest control, string trimming, hardscape cleaning, and irrigation system management. Contractors must possess a South Carolina Commercial Pesticide License in Category 3 and maintain a site supervisor with at least three years of full-service grounds maintenance experience. Key deadlines include a pre-bid conference on December 19, 2022, at 11:00 AM ET, a question submission deadline of December 20, 2022, at 2:00 PM ET, and bid submissions due online by January 17, 2023, at 11:00 AM ET. Award notification is anticipated for January 24, 2023, with an estimated contract start date of February 3, 2023.

The solicitation requires bidders to demonstrate at least two years of experience providing comparable grounds maintenance services and provide three recent project references. Contractors must submit comprehensive documentation including proof of pesticide licensing, insurance certificates with minimum coverage of $1,000,000 Commercial General Liability and $1,000,000 Auto Liability, equipment and staff lists, detailed business qualifications, and Dun and Bradstreet number. No specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises are mentioned in the documents. The award will be made to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder, with pricing structured as all-inclusive monthly unit pricing for the potential 60-month contract period. Separate pricing is required for optional mulch applications in April and October. While a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, bidders must submit a preliminary assessment fee based on site observations, and all pricing must comprehensively cover labor, equipment, and materials. The contract will require the successful vendor to maintain Contractor's Liability Insurance throughout the contract term, with the State listed as an additional insured.