ON CALL TREE REMOVAL - UNION*

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for on-call tree removal services in Union County, seeking contractors to provide comprehensive tree management services. The solicitation covers cutting and leaving, cutting and removing, and cutting, removing, and stump grinding services for trees ranging from 6 to 60 inches in diameter. The contract will span three years, from November 5, 2021, to November 4, 2024, with potential automatic one-year renewals. Bidders must submit offers online through the state's procurement system by September 29, 2021, at 2:30 PM, with all questions due by September 20, 2021, at 12:00 PM. The contract requires contractors to respond to emergency call-outs within 48 hours and complete routine work within ten business days of notification, with pricing established on a per-tree basis determined by trunk diameter measured five feet above ground level. Evaluation will be based on the lowest responsible and responsive bidder, with 42 line items covering various tree sizes and service types.

The solicitation requires mandatory vendor registration with the state and compliance with South Carolina procurement laws, including debarment certification, drug-free workplace requirements, and illegal immigration compliance. Contractors must provide commercial general liability insurance with $1,000,000 per occurrence limits, auto liability coverage, and worker's compensation insurance. The contract includes financial penalties for non-compliance, such as $500 per offense for inclement weather delays or missed pre-performance meetings, $500 per business day for failure to meet activity start dates, and $750 per business day for work progression or traffic control violations. While no specific set-aside designations are mentioned, the procurement is exempt from certain standard procurement requirements under South Carolina Code Section 11-35-710(1). The solicitation covers an estimated 100 trees per line item for most categories, with lower quantities for the largest diameter trees (37"-48" and 49"-60"). All contract costs, including equipment, labor, materials, transportation, traffic control, debris disposal, and permits, must be included in the unit pricing with no separate reimbursement.