Mulch, Mechanically Blown

The City of St. Petersburg, located in Pinellas County, Florida, is soliciting sealed bids (IFB-24-242) for mechanically blown mulch installation services across 22 city parks, playgrounds, and community spaces. The procurement seeks a vendor to provide all necessary labor, equipment, tools, machinery, supplies, and protective equipment to install mulch at a uniform six-inch thickness on an as-needed basis. The estimated annual usage is approximately 2,500 cubic yards of wood mulch that must meet U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) guidelines for Florida public playgrounds. Vendor qualifications include being in the mechanically blown mulch business for at least two years and ability to obtain required insurance. The bid was released on July 3, 2024, with questions due by July 15, 2024, and final responses required by August 7, 2024, at 3:00 pm. The initial contract term is five years from execution, with potential renewal options for a period not exceeding the initial contract term. The city will award the contract to the lowest responsible and responsive vendor based on a per cubic yard pricing structure.

The solicitation does not specify specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The most recent bid tabulation shows iMulch FL, Inc. from Oakland, FL as the sole bidder in a previous solicitation, proposing a unit price of $33.00 per cubic yard, which would result in a total potential contract value of $82,500.00. Insurance requirements are substantial, including $1 million in commercial general liability, $1 million in commercial automobile liability, and workers' compensation insurance as mandated by Florida law. The base agreement allows the City to issue purchase orders on an as-needed basis and reserves the right to terminate the contract with 30 days' notice. The contract is non-exclusive, meaning the City can contract with other providers for similar services. Payment terms follow the Local Government Prompt Payment Act, with potential discounts for early payment, and the contractor must maintain competitive pricing comparable to other customers receiving similar services.