Mulch (red, gold & non-dyed wood chips) purchase & delivery

Palm Beach County, Florida issued a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for the purchase and delivery of mulch in three distinct varieties: red wood chips, gold wood chips, and non-dyed wood chips. The County seeks firm, fixed unit pricing per cubic yard on an F.O.B. destination basis, with the vendor responsible for all transportation, off-loading, equipment, and related costs. The delivered mulch must meet specific technical specifications, including red and gold wood chips composed of 70 percent pallet wood and 30 percent hardwood dyed with iron oxide, while non-dyed wood chips must be composed of virgin hardwood; wood chip shavings must not exceed three inches in length or one-half inch in diameter, and bulk loads must contain a minimum of 100 cubic yards and be free of metals, nails, plastics, and debris. The successful vendor will be responsible for delivering materials to locations throughout Palm Beach County within five calendar days of receiving a delivery order, with the County ordering materials on an as-needed basis. The initial contract term is twelve months or until the estimated contract value is expended, with options to renew for four additional twelve-month periods subject to mutual written agreement and Board appropriation of funds; all original terms, conditions, and unit prices must remain unchanged during renewal periods. Quotations were due on April 30, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. Palm Beach County time, with responses accepted via fax or email to the Purchasing Department.

The solicitation includes several program requirements and preference considerations that may restrict vendor eligibility or provide competitive advantages. Vendors must register in the County's Vendor Self Service system and comply with the Equal Business Opportunity Program, which may include small and minority-owned business set-asides. Local preference provisions offer up to five percent price reductions for qualified Palm Beach County businesses, and vendors demonstrating drug-free workplace certification and various state and federal compliance certifications receive preferences in the evaluation process. The anticipated initial contract value is $98,000 over the twelve-month term, though Palm Beach County reserves the right to increase or decrease this amount based on actual requirements. No incumbent vendor or existing contractor information was specified in the solicitation documents.