Lawn Care for Brunswick Armory

The State of Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services, specifically the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management - Military Bureau, is seeking lawn care services for the Brunswick Armed Forces Reserve Center (AFRC) located at 11 Ordinance Way in Brunswick. The solicitation requires weekly mowing and maintenance of 2.68 total acres (2.62 mowable acres) during the growing season from May through October, with grass to be cut to a uniform height between 3.5 and 5 inches. Specific deliverables include grass clipping removal, debris clearing from entrances and walkways, fence line maintenance, edging, and annual bio retention cell cutting. Contractors must complete one winter cleanup cycle and work during facility hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. while facility staff are present. All personnel must pass federal background checks before accessing the facility grounds, with vetting lists required within two weeks of contract award. The contract will be evaluated on a best value basis, with quotations due by February 23, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. eastern standard time through the State's Advantage Vendor Self Service (VSS) system. Bidders must submit cost quotations covering the entire five-year period, including the initial contract term from May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027, and two optional renewal periods extending through October 31, 2029.

The solicitation does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The current vendor is Piscataqua Landscaping & Tree Service LLC, who has been providing services at an approximate yearly cost of $9,000. Contractors will be subject to monthly performance evaluations, with potential contract termination for documented poor performance. Specifically, four or more negative responses or "Needs Improvement" ratings during evaluation tours will trigger a two-week corrective action period, and three documented poor performance evaluations can result in automatic termination eligibility. The contractor will be responsible for all damages to the facility or grounds caused during service execution and must complete repairs within 10 working days. Additional requirements include responding to all communications within one business day and submitting monthly invoices only for successfully provided services. Bidders must also provide hourly rates for potential additional tasks outside the defined scope of work and complete the bid sheet with their organization details, including the State of Maine vendor code.