ITB - Grounds Maintenance Services for the Eastgate Cemetery for the Harris County Community Services Department

Harris County Housing & Community Development is requesting bids for grounds maintenance services at Eastgate Cemetery under ITB format, with bids due August 24, 2026 and a pre-bid meeting scheduled for August 11 at 10:00 a.m. CST via Microsoft Teams.

The scope encompasses comprehensive grounds maintenance including mowing, grass clipping removal, tree and shrub pruning, mulch replenishment, seasonal flower installation, fertilizing, pesticide application, weed control, and debris removal across the cemetery property. Work must be scheduled during cemetery operating hours (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and is prohibited on days with scheduled burials; the vendor receives at least forty-eight hours' notice of burial dates. As-needed services including plant replacement, core aeration, emergency weather response, and Phase Two mowing will be quoted separately and billed under individual purchase orders. All vendor personnel must pass background checks and display company identification on site. Vendors bear responsibility for equipment maintenance, waste disposal, site damage repairs, and compliance with applicable federal, state, and local environmental and safety regulations.

The contract term begins on or about December 1, 2026, for one year with four potential one-year renewal options subject to Harris County Commissioners Court approval. Price adjustments on renewals are based on CPI-W and capped at four percent annually. Vendors must submit all-inclusive pricing for labor, materials, equipment, testing, and other costs through the Bonfire platform. Prices cannot increase for ninety days after contract commencement or within ninety days of any previous increase, though manufacturer-documented price changes may be approved.

Harris County reserves the right to award to a single vendor or multiple vendors designated as Primary and Secondary, evaluated on lowest and best bid considering price, vendor capacity, quality, reliability, and service capability. Vendors must complete Certificate of Interested Parties (Form 1295) prior to bid submission and comply with prevailing wage requirements, including weekly certified payroll submissions. Written questions are due by the deadline specified in the Events Schedule through Bonfire.