Private Property Lawn Maintenance

The City of Rochester is requesting bids for private property yard maintenance services throughout the city, with sealed bids due September 17, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at City Hall Room 105A and a pre-bid meeting scheduled for September 10, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. via Zoom. If one or more bids are submitted by a New York State-certified Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE), such bidders receive a five percent price advantage in evaluation.

The contract covers yard maintenance of privately-owned properties upon property owner non-compliance with city yard maintenance code requirements. Services include removing minor trash and debris, cutting high grass and weeds to a maximum of three inches, trimming fence lines, removing excess trimmings and grass cuttings, and sweeping driveways and sidewalks clean. The contractor must complete work orders within three days of issuance, with a fourth day permitted if rain delays completion. Based on 2016 data, approximately 1,200 lots are expected to be maintained annually, with peak season demand potentially reaching 40 to 50 lots per day multiple times per week.

The contract commences on the award date and runs through December 31, 2026, with an option for the city to extend up to three additional years in one-year increments under the same terms and conditions. Award will be made to the responsive and responsible bidder offering the lowest best value based on cost per yard for a standard lot size of 40' x 100'. A bid bond of $1,000 is required with each bid; the successful contractor must furnish performance and labor/material payment bonds of $5,000 each, plus an additional $1,000 cash performance security. Comprehensive general liability insurance with limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, commercial automobile liability insurance, and umbrella excess liability coverage of $2,000,000 are required. Prevailing wage rates as established by the New York State Department of Labor apply, and contractors must maintain NYSDOL certificate registration. Payment is contingent upon submission of pre- and post-inspection reports with dated photographs showing work completion by 5:00 p.m. the following Thursday after work completion.