Ritch Grissom Memorial (RGM) Constructed Wetlands Maintenance

Brevard County Purchasing Services, on behalf of the Utilities Department, is soliciting bids for maintenance and inspection services of the Ritch Grissom Memorial (RGM) Constructed Wetlands, located in Brevard County, Florida. The procurement (Bid No. B-7-25-39) seeks a qualified contractor to perform comprehensive maintenance across approximately 72 acres, including semi-annual infrastructure and vegetation inspections, mowing services, invasive species control, and native species replanting. Key deliverables include maintaining grass height between 6-12 inches, managing vegetation through herbicide and mechanical removal, installing and maintaining staff gauges, repairing berm erosion, and ensuring at least 85% plant coverage after the first growing season. Bidders must submit detailed work plans, possess appropriate applicator licenses, and provide product information demonstrating compliance with strict environmental preservation guidelines. The bid was originally scheduled to be opened on April 17, 2025, at 10:00 AM, with a pre-bid meeting held on March 26, 2025, at the South Central Wastewater Treatment Plant. Evaluation criteria will likely focus on responsiveness, contractor qualifications, pricing, and ability to meet technical specifications outlined in the bid documents.

The contract does not specify explicit set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, but requires vendors to comply with various state and federal requirements, including E-Verify registration and provisions related to the Build America, Buy America Act. Bidders must demonstrate comprehensive insurance coverage, including general liability, auto liability, and workers' compensation with specified minimum policy limits. Three local Florida vendors initially submitted bids: My Father's Lawn Service Corp. from Rockledge, Haney Lawn Service, Inc. from St. Augustine, and First Pioneer Property Management from Cocoa. However, all initial bids were rejected, and the county intends to re-advertise with revised specifications. The contract term is five years, with a potential total budget estimated at $80,000, subject to adjustments with written county approval. Successful contractors must source plant materials from within a 75-mile radius of the project site and adhere to strict ecological management protocols for the constructed wetlands.