Pest Control, Lawn and Shrub Maintenance Services

The City of Ocala in Marion County, Florida is seeking a contractor for comprehensive pest control, lawn, and shrub maintenance services for Recreation and Parks Department facilities. The procurement involves providing pest management and landscape maintenance across eight downtown locations, including City Hall Complex, Downtown Square, and various street rights-of-way and medians. Required services include three annual applications of 8-10-10 granular fertilizer in March, June, and September, three pre-emergent herbicide treatments in February, April, and November, and optional fungicide and insecticide applications. Vendors must possess a current Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commercial Pest Control License and a valid Florida Department of Transportation Maintenance of Traffic Temporary Traffic Control Certification, with a minimum of five years' experience in pest and lawn care services. Evaluation criteria will focus on lowest bid pricing, with contractors required to perform at least 30 percent of work using their own forces. A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at 11:00 AM at City Hall, with proposals due by December 3, 2025. The initial contract term is two years with two optional one-year renewal periods, and work is to be performed during standard hours of 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, with 48-hour advance notice required for work outside normal hours.

The solicitation does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Vendors must provide comprehensive insurance coverage, including $1,000,000 per occurrence Commercial General Liability, $1,000,000 combined limit Commercial Automotive Liability, and Workers' Compensation per Florida statutory requirements. Contractors are required to provide an assigned Project Manager, maintain professional appearance, wear appropriate personal protective equipment, and display company identification on vehicles. Price increases for contract renewals are negotiable and capped at three percent annually, with justification required through CPI-U documentation submitted 90 days prior to term end. While no specific budget range is disclosed, the pricing will be evaluated on a unit price basis with payment only for actual units provided. Vendors must maintain a two-week maximum lead time for materials and provide a one-year warranty on materials and labor. The solicitation requires vendors to operate as independent contractors, with the city reserving the right to request replacement of any incompetent or unsuitable personnel.