Pest Control, Weed Control, and Fertilizing Services

Walton County, Florida is soliciting sealed bids through Invitation to Bid (ITB) No. 26-14 for pest control, weed control, and fertilizing services at ten athletic fields, parks, and county-managed properties totaling approximately 64.34 acres throughout the county. Services include monthly maintenance consisting of fertilization; control of specified lawn pests including mole crickets, ants, fleas, armyworms, ticks, white grubs, chinch bugs, nematodes, spider mites, and aphids; fungicide applications for leaf spot and Pythium diseases; and broadleaf, grassy, and sedge weed control. The designated service locations include Wee Care Park (8 acres), Paxton Little League (4 acres), DeFuniak Springs Little League (6 acres), Paradise Park (8 acres), South Walton Sports Complex (11.34 acres), Boys & Girls Club (6.4 acres), Driftwood (5.88 acres), Grady Brown Park (2.75 acres), Harbeson Field (5.76 acres), and Helen McCall Park (6.31 acres). Prospective contractors must maintain an active Lawn and Ornamental License from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, employ certified pesticide applicators, comply with all OSHA and EPA regulations including the Florida Pest Control Act (Chapter 482), and adhere to maintenance standards established by the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida. Performance standards require Bermuda turf to be maintained at a minimum of 90 percent weed-free level with control defined as no more than one occurrence of any pest, weed, or disease condition within a given season, with subsequent occurrences treated at no additional cost. This is a unit price bid requiring submission of per-acre, per-application pricing that will be multiplied by estimated acreage and annual applications; unit pricing will also apply to any additional service locations added during the contract term. Questions must be submitted by April 13, 2026 at 12:00 PM, sealed bids are due April 27, 2026 at 3:00 PM through the County's e-Procurement Portal, and bids will be publicly opened immediately following the submission deadline at the Office of Central Purchasing in DeFuniak Springs. The contract term is three years with an option to renew for an additional three-year period at the County's sole discretion, with services commencing within ten business days of the Notice to Proceed. The successful bidder must execute the contract and provide certificates of insurance from A.M. Best rated companies within ten business days of award, and bids remain valid for forty-five calendar days following the bid opening.

A local vendor preference applies in accordance with Walton County Purchasing Policy PP017, with tie-bid preference given to businesses with drug-free workplace programs. Required insurance includes workers' compensation at statutory limits, commercial general liability with a minimum of $1,000,000 per occurrence, comprehensive automobile liability with $300,000 combined single limit, and professional liability with $1,000,000 per occurrence. The County previously awarded similar services to PPM Sports Turf, LLC under an extended contract from the Leon County School Board's existing District Term Contract (DTC-25-1036), with an annual value of $134,515.95 based on pricing that included specific line-item costs such as insecticide applications for fire ants and mole crickets ($18,583.50), worm prevention with slow-release fertilizer ($13,151.40), sedge control treatments ($10,864.20 per application), and four fertilizer applications ($9,434.70 each). The County reserves the right to reject any or all bids, negotiate with the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, and conduct investigations into bidders' qualifications, past performance records, timeliness of project completion, and payment history with subcontractors. Prospective bidders are responsible for conducting site visits to examine local conditions, and all work must include submission of a service schedule within ten business days of agreement execution, with updated schedules required every six months thereafter. The contractor must maintain detailed records for five years following final payment, respond to unscheduled service calls within five business days, and respond to emergency calls within twelve hours, with the Walton County Director of Parks and Recreation serving as the County's authorized representative with complete authority to interpret policies and make decisions regarding contractor performance.