Reservoir Lawn Maintenance

The City of Rochester, New York Department of Finance Bureau of Purchasing is requesting sealed bids for lawn turf maintenance at three city-owned reservoirs, with bids due September 1, 2026 and a pre-bid conference on August 25, 2026. New York State–certified Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) bidders receive a five percent price advantage.

The scope covers mowing, weed control, and fertilization services across Rush Reservoir (10.9 acres), Cobbs Hill Reservoir (19.02 acres), and Highland Reservoir (2.6 acres), totaling approximately 32.52 acres. Services include mowing grass to three to four inches, trimming perimeters and base areas, and removing all clippings from adjoining surfaces. The City anticipates a maximum of twelve mowing cycles annually between April 1 and October 31, with exact frequency dependent on growing-season conditions. The contractor must provide all equipment, materials, and supplies; employ competent personnel under an experienced foreman; complete work within three working days of authorization during Monday–Friday business hours (7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.); and maintain detailed mowing logs. Contingent items requiring unit pricing include chemical maintenance, seeding, core aeration, and laboratory soil analysis.

The contract term commences upon award and extends through December 31, 2027, with an option for the City to extend for up to three additional one-year increments under the same terms and conditions if mutually agreeable. Award will be made to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder by total bid price for complete-cycle mowing, unless the City determines that awarding by item or group results in lower overall costs. The City reserves the right to reduce contract term, add or delete locations and acreage during the mowing season, reject unbalanced bids, and terminate for convenience or default.

Bidders must submit a $1,000 bid bond, comprehensive general liability insurance ($1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate), commercial automobile liability ($1,000,000 combined single limit), and umbrella excess liability ($2,000,000). Payment is monthly as a lump sum per completed mowing cycle, invoiced to the City's Hemlock Water Treatment facility. Site visits are strongly encouraged. Bids will be opened publicly via Zoom on September 1, 2026.