Grounds maintenance-north augusta WC

The South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism (SCPRT) is soliciting bids for comprehensive grounds maintenance services at the North Augusta Welcome Center located on Interstate 20 at the South Carolina/Georgia border. The procurement encompasses two primary service components: monthly grounds maintenance and as-needed clear zone mowing services. Contractors will be responsible for maintaining vegetation areas, mowing turf to a uniform height between 2-4 inches, string trimming, edging, weed control, mulching, pruning, soil testing, fertilization, and debris removal within the Welcome Center's property boundaries. The solicitation requires contractors to have a valid South Carolina Certified Pesticide Applicator License and employ a supervisor with a minimum of five years landscaping experience. Key procurement dates include a pre-bid conference on September 17, 2020, bid questions due by September 24, 2020, and bid submissions due by October 6, 2020 at 1:00 PM through the online procurement portal. The contract will be a five-year term from November 1, 2020, to October 31, 2025, with potential automatic one-year renewals.

The procurement is open to registered South Carolina vendors, with potential opportunities for Resident Contractor Preference (2-4%) for qualifying businesses. Contractors must provide a $5,000 bid bond and maintain comprehensive general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence, along with auto liability coverage of $1,000,000 per accident and workers' compensation insurance. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly detailed, the solicitation indicates potential landscaping improvements up to $100,000 per location over the contract's duration. Contractors will be evaluated based on being the lowest responsible and responsive bidder, with award criteria including demonstrated capability to perform required services, compliance with safety standards, and ability to meet all specified maintenance requirements. Additional requirements include providing monthly reports, performing work during weekday daylight hours, and complying with specific safety regulations such as wearing Class II safety vests and using properly marked equipment. Nonresident contractors will be subject to South Carolina withholding requirements and must adhere to all state and federal legal standards.