On-call tree removal (clarendon county)

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is soliciting bids for an on-call tree removal contract in Clarendon County, with work to be performed within or near right-of-way limits on SCDOT-maintained roads and routes. The solicitation requires contractors to provide tree removal services across five tree diameter categories (6"-12", 13"-18", 19"-24", 25"-30", and over 30"), with three service types: cut and leave, cut and remove, and cut-remove-grind stump. Estimated annual quantities range from 5 to 90 trees per category, with contractors responsible for providing all labor, equipment, materials, traffic control, permits, and debris disposal. The contract term spans four years from September 20, 2023, to September 19, 2027, with pricing to be submitted on a unit-price basis per tree per size category for each contract year. Key submission deadlines include questions due by July 28, 2023, at 12:00 p.m., and bids due by August 14, 2023, at 2:30 p.m., with contract award scheduled for August 25, 2023, subject to Transportation Secretary approval.

The solicitation does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Contractors must provide liability insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence for commercial general liability, $1,000,000 for auto liability, and statutory workers' compensation limits. While no specific budget range is detailed, the contract includes provisions for non-compliance deductions, including $500 per offense for equipment-related violations, $500 per business day for delayed activity start dates, and $750 per business day for work suspension or late completion. SCDOT reserves the right to perform tree removal using its own forces and may restrict work to specific days and times. The contract includes a mandatory certification process requiring contractors to verify no conflicts of interest with SCDOT Commission members, with compliance extending through the commission member's appointment term and one year after termination. Payment will be made upon invoice submission for work accepted by the Engineer, with potential deductions for non-compliance, damage claims, and third-party property damage.