Lake Management Services

The City of Fort Myers has issued an Invitation to Bid (ITB 25-090) for comprehensive Lake Management Services across multiple locations within the city. The procurement seeks a qualified contractor to provide monthly lake and pond maintenance services for 16 different sites, including Billy Creek Filter Marsh Preserve, Eastwood Golf Course, Fort Myers Country Club, and various city lakes and ponds. Specific services include aquatic weed control, buffer management, pond algae control, preserve maintenance, shoreline weed control, visual inspections, and quarterly maintenance of aeration systems and fountains. The contract requires a licensed pesticide applicator with certified applicators who will utilize EPA-registered products and follow NPDES compliance standards. Key dates for this procurement include a pre-submittal meeting on September 16, 2025, a question submission deadline of October 1, 2025, and a proposal submission deadline of October 10, 2025, with proposed City Council approval scheduled for November 3, 2025. The bid includes a base bid for monthly services at each location with a unit price per month, and an a la carte section for additional services such as aeration cabinet service, aquatic weed control, buffer management, and labor.

The solicitation emphasizes compliance with various local and state regulations, including E-Verify, public records laws, and background screening requirements. The City has established a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program with an overall 10.54% DBE goal, operating a race-neutral program that encourages but does not mandate DBE participation. Bidders must provide detailed documentation, including licenses, insurance certificates, and various affidavits related to minority business enterprise status and compliance with state statutes. While specific contract value is not explicitly stated, the procurement covers a five-year contract term with the option to extend on a month-to-month basis. The City reserves the right to award the contract to the responsive and responsible bidder with the lowest overall cost, and contractors must demonstrate compliance with federal regulations including Build America, Buy America (BABA) provisions, which require the use of iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials produced in the United States.