Homewood Tree Planting

The City of Pittsburgh's Office of Management and Budget, acting on behalf of the Department of Public Works, is soliciting bids for the Homewood Tree Planting project through Invitation for Bid #2025-IFB-068. The procurement involves supplying and installing 15 street trees in the Homewood neighborhood, with specific requirements including 2-inch caliper minimum trees that are balled and burlapped, and equipped with 48-inch bark guards. Tree species include Cherry, Ginkgo, Honeylocust, London Planetree, Redbud, Swamp White Oak, and Tupelo, strategically positioned to enhance urban green infrastructure. The project is funded through a DCNR grant and focuses on planting trees in Justice40 Neighborhoods, with contractors required to provide weekly watering throughout the first year after planting and maintain a one-year warranty. Key bid deadlines include a question submission deadline of March 17, 2025, and a final response deadline of March 24, 2025 at 2:00 pm, with the bid covering comprehensive services including delivery, installation, staking, mulching, and ongoing tree maintenance.

The City of Pittsburgh has established specific participation goals for disadvantaged enterprises, targeting 18% Minority-Owned Business Enterprises (MBE), 7% Women-Owned Business Enterprises (WBE), and 5% Veteran-Owned Business Enterprises (VBE). Bidders must complete several mandatory forms, including an EORC Participation Form, Vendor Contact Sheet, Vendor Registration Form, W-9, and provide proof of System Award Management (SAM.gov) registration. The project is subject to federal funding requirements, necessitating compliance with regulations such as the Byrd Anti-Lobbying Amendment, Build America/Buy America Act, and Equal Employment Opportunity provisions. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly detailed, the pricing proposal includes line items for individual trees, bark guards, and associated services. The procurement is part of a broader municipal effort to increase tree canopy coverage and address environmental equity goals in the Homewood neighborhood, with the project potentially serving as a model for urban forestry initiatives in underserved communities.