RoW Mow Trim and Litter Removal 1-24/I-69

The Commonwealth of Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Division of Maintenance, issued a Request for Bid (RFB) for a master agreement contract covering right-of-way mowing, trimming, and litter removal services along Interstate 24, Interstate 69, and the Audubon and Pennyrile Parkways in District 2, which encompasses portions of Hickman County and surrounding areas. The procurement encompasses three primary line items: Rights-of-Way Mowing (10,947 acres), Litter Removal (841.60 centerline miles), and Maintain & Control Traffic (5 cycles). Work deliverables include three full mowing cycles annually, with the first cycle beginning in late May and completed by mid-late June at a mowing height of 6-10 inches, the second cycle from early July through early August, and the third cycle from mid-late October through mid-late November, with each mowing cycle required to be completed within a maximum of 20 working days. Litter removal is required five cycles annually across designated centerline miles, and contractors must maintain traffic control through certified traffic control technicians for each crew. Required qualifications include prequalification by the Department of Highways for work items I-29 (Right of Way Mowing) and I-37 (Traffic Control) prior to bid closing, maintenance of general liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence, and Kentucky workers' compensation insurance. Evaluation will be conducted using a best-value method based solely on price, with the lowest bidder receiving maximum points and subsequent bidders scored proportionally, and Kentucky resident bidders may receive reciprocal preference against nonresident bidders if applicable. The RFB closed on February 18, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time with bids submitted electronically only through the Kentucky Vendor Self Service system, and the tentative award date was February 23, 2026.

The contract does not specify set-aside designations or restrictions on participation by disadvantaged enterprises, small businesses, or other organization types beyond the standard prequalification and insurance requirements applicable to all bidders. No incumbent vendor or current contractor information is provided in the solicitation materials. The initial contract period runs from award through December 31, 2026, with four optional one-year renewal periods available, providing potential contract duration extending through 2030. Pricing is established on a per-acre basis for mowing and per-centerline-mile basis for litter removal, with bidders required to submit competitive unit prices for all line items to be considered for award; however, no specific budget ranges or award values are disclosed in the procurement documents. Price increases are not permitted during the first twelve months of the contract; only one increase based on industry-wide changes may be granted thereafter. Penalties of $1,000 per day apply for failure to begin work on the specified date or completion delays, with additional penalties ranging from $250 to $500 for specific performance violations including improper traffic control, equipment damage, or failure to remove biomass and litter.