On call tree removal LEE & kershaw CO

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is seeking an on-call tree removal contractor for Lee and Kershaw Counties through an Invitation for Bid (IFB) solicitation. The contract requires a qualified vendor to provide comprehensive tree removal services within or near SCDOT right-of-way limits, including cutting and leaving, cutting and removing, and cutting, removing, and stump grinding. The solicitation includes 27 line items categorized by tree diameter sizes ranging from 6" to over 68", with quantities between 20 to 150 trees per line item. Emergency call-outs mandate tree removal within 24 to 48 hours, and the contractor must provide all necessary equipment, labor, materials, transportation, and traffic control in compliance with MUTCD and NCHRP 350 standards. Key procurement dates include a pre-bid conference on March 3, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. in Camden, South Carolina, with questions due by March 6, 2023, at 12:00 p.m., and bid submissions due by March 16, 2023, at 2:30 p.m. The contract will be awarded on March 24, 2023, with a five-year term from March 27, 2023, through March 27, 2028, including automatic renewal provisions.

The solicitation does not specify any specific set-aside designations or restrictions on participating organizations. Bidders must be registered with the State Vendor system and submit offers online through the South Carolina procurement website. The contractor is required to maintain substantial insurance coverage, including Commercial General Liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence, Auto Liability coverage of $1,000,000, and Worker's Compensation insurance with Statutory Limits. Non-refundable deductions will be applied for non-compliance, with penalties of $500 per offense for inclement weather and pre-performance meeting failures, and $750 per offense for work zone traffic control violations. The pricing structure is based on unit prices per tree, categorized by diameter size and service type, though no specific budget range or total contract value is explicitly stated. Contractors will be responsible for obtaining all necessary federal, state, and local permits and disposing of debris at approved off-site locations. Bidders must agree to hold their offers open for a minimum of thirty calendar days after the opening date.