Invasive Exotic Plant Removal Project at Marathon International Airport

Monroe County, Florida is seeking qualified contractors through a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) to perform invasive exotic plant removal services at Marathon International Airport's conservation lands within the secure fenced area. The project encompasses the identification, treatment, and disposal of invasive exotic plant species, including seaside mahoe, Brazilian pepper, bowstring hemp, and other species listed on the Florida Invasive Species Council 2025 Plant List, from approximately 35 acres of forested land. The scope of work consists of three phases: Phase 1 involves site preparation and access path restoration; Phase 2 addresses initial treatment of invasive exotic vegetation across five designated zones; and Phase 3 includes three follow-up maintenance treatments at 3, 6, and 12-month intervals following initial treatment. Contractors must demonstrate experience with invasive plant removal in similar ecosystems, familiarity with Florida Keys environments, compliance with aviation security protocols, and the ability to conduct equipment decontamination procedures. The evaluation criteria allocate 25 points for price per man-hour, 15 points for general information and project approach, 5 points for references, 5 points for respondent background information, 5 points for completion of required county forms, 4 points for local preference, and negative points (up to -5) for claims and litigation history. A mandatory pre-bid meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Gate 16, Marathon Airport, with sealed proposals due electronically via the Bonfire bidding platform no later than 3:00 PM on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, followed by virtual bid opening via Zoom at the same time.

The procurement documents do not identify specific set-asides for disadvantaged enterprises or restrictions limiting respondent types based on organizational classification; however, all contractors must comply with extensive federal, state, and local requirements, including noncoercive conduct affidavits, non-collusion certifications, ethics compliance documentation, drug-free workplace certification, public entity crime status verification, vendor certification regarding scrutinized companies, and foreign entities affidavits. Contractors are required to obtain a Monroe County Business Tax Receipt and maintain specified insurance coverage, including Workers' Compensation/Employer Liability ($100,000/$500,000), Vehicle Liability ($300,000 combined single limit), and General Liability ($500,000 combined single limit), with Monroe County listed as additional insured on applicable policies. Compensation is calculated based on hourly billing rates for certified crew supervisors, trained crew members, and bobcat operators, with crew size limited to one supervisor and up to eight crew members working simultaneously. The contract term extends from execution through December 31, 2028, with optional extension for up to six months if work remains incomplete, and the maximum contract value is $300,000.00. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the available documentation, and no existing infrastructure or technology integration requirements are specified.