On-Call Arborist Consulting Services

The Town of Hamden, Connecticut is requesting proposals for on-call arborist consulting services under RFP 2702, with proposals due October 20, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. The arborist must hold current International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certification, ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ), and American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA) certification — the primary capability filter.

The scope includes consultation to the Tree Warden on tree pruning, removal, fertilization, planting, and replacement; assistance with tree protest hearings; strategic planning programs including tree inventory development and management plans; and review of tree planting plans submitted by developers to the Planning and Zoning Office. The arborist will provide support services and will not perform physical labor. Proposals must include a cover letter, personnel qualifications, relevant project experience, and three to five references.

The contract term is one year. Proposals must specify hourly rates on a cost basis to be determined. No estimated contract value is stated. Evaluation criteria are the arborist's qualifications, work history and references, and competitive fees and rates. The Town reserves the right to award the contract to a responder other than the lowest bidder if deemed in the Town's best interest.

Responders must provide proof of current liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage with specified minimum limits, along with ISA or ASCA certification numbers. The arborist must comply with Connecticut state and federal regulations, including prevailing wage requirements and non-discrimination statutes. Questions are due October 13, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. Proposals must be submitted in sealed format (one original, three hard copies, and one flash drive) to the Hamden Government Center Finance Office. Faxed or emailed proposals are not permitted, and proposals received after the deadline will be rejected. The Town will not reimburse proposal preparation costs. Contact the Town of Hamden Purchasing Department at 203-287-7110 or purchasing@hamden.com.