QTE 26-081 Mowing Services for Citrus County Libraries

Citrus County, Florida Department of Management & Budget is soliciting competitive bids for QTE 26-081 Mowing Services for Citrus County Libraries, a comprehensive grounds maintenance contract covering four library facilities distributed across the county. The procurement encompasses mowing, edging, line trimming, weeding, minor pruning, hedging, and debris cleanup services at Central Ridge Library (5.02 acres), Coastal Region Library (5.35 acres), Homosassa Public Library (4.01 acres), and Lakes Region Library (9.93 acres), with approximately 25 service visits scheduled annually at each location, subject to seasonal growing conditions and weather variations. Deliverables include weekly service summary emails and itemized monthly invoices submitted by the tenth of each month, with services performed in compliance with OSHA safety standards and industry best practices, including maintenance of cutting heights between 3.5 to 4 inches following the one-third mowing rule. Mandatory bidder qualifications include a minimum of two years of commercial mowing experience, active Florida business registration, valid workers' compensation insurance, commercial general liability coverage with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 general aggregate, and automobile liability coverage of $1,000,000 combined single limit. Evaluation criteria include unit pricing for base mowing services and three alternate bid categories (minor pruning, hedging, and weed control), with performance-based liquidated damages provisions applying double the bid price for unsatisfactory work and escalating penalties for repeat violations. Critical deadlines include mandatory pre-bid conferences scheduled for February 3 and February 5, 2026 (bidders must attend one), a question submission deadline of February 16, 2026 at 4:00 p.m., bid submission deadline of February 24, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., public bid opening via Microsoft Teams at 2:15 p.m. on February 24, 2026, and board approval and contract award scheduled for May 12, 2026.

Citrus County has indicated a preference for local businesses and may grant a preference of up to five percent on local bids if the cost differential does not exceed $10,000, though no formal small business set-asides or disadvantaged enterprise restrictions are specified in the solicitation documents. No incumbent contractor information is identified in the available procurement materials. The contract term spans two years with an option to renew for three additional one-year periods, contingent upon satisfactory contractor performance, mutual written agreement, and fund availability, with potential annual price increases limited to the lesser of the annual Consumer Price Index or five percent. The County has appropriated approximately $20,000 for base bid services, with the right to adjust based on funding availability; alternate bids for optional services (minor pruning, hedging, and weed control) may or may not be awarded depending on budget constraints. Compensation is structured on a per-service-visit basis for each of the four library locations as detailed in Exhibit B, with monthly payment processing conducted within 45 days of invoice verification in accordance with Florida Statute 218.74 (the Local Government Prompt Payment Act). Contractors must enroll in ACH direct deposit payment and register with the myCOI insurance portal, and must comply with Florida licensing requirements, E-Verify employment verification, drug-free workplace standards, and all applicable federal and state non-discrimination and equal employment opportunity regulations.