LANDSCAPING & MAINTENANCE SERVICE

Washtenaw County, Michigan is seeking a qualified contractor to provide comprehensive landscaping and maintenance services for approximately 15 county properties through Request for Proposal (RFP) 8841. The procurement targets landscaping maintenance across three geographic zones in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, encompassing courthouses, administration buildings, human service centers, and parking lots. Required services include weed control, pruning, mulching, spring and fall cleanup, irrigation maintenance, and replacement planting. Proposing vendors must employ certified pesticide applicators and utilize minimal-odor fertilizers while complying with environmental and labor regulations. The proposal evaluation will emphasize technical experience (40 points), focusing on years of service, project team competency, risk mitigation, and methodology, with remaining points allocated to price competitiveness. Electronic proposal submissions are due on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 10:00 AM EDT, with no pre-bid meeting scheduled. Bidders are required to complete a detailed price sheet specifying costs for spring/fall cleanup, mulching, and bioswale/retention pond maintenance for each location.

The county offers a local vendor preference program providing discounts for Washtenaw County-based (5%) and Michigan-based (3%) companies on bids exceeding specific thresholds. To qualify for these preferences, vendors must submit documentation demonstrating local vendor status, including business registration, tax compliance, and proof of continuous commercial operation for a minimum of 12 months. The initial contract term is three years, with an option to extend for two additional one-year periods. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the comprehensive scope covering multiple properties suggests a substantial contract value. Proposing organizations must demonstrate technical expertise, environmental compliance, and the capability to manage complex landscaping maintenance across diverse county facilities. No specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are explicitly outlined in the provided documentation, though the local vendor preference program may indirectly support smaller or local business participation.