SCDPS STATEWIDE GROUNDS MAINTENANCE

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for statewide grounds maintenance services across 25 facilities, including six State Transport Police (STP) Weigh Stations and nineteen Highway Patrol (HP) facilities located throughout South Carolina. The procurement seeks comprehensive grounds maintenance services including mowing, trimming, edging, weed control, fertilization, debris removal, shrub maintenance, pruning, and retention pond management. Facilities are distributed across multiple counties, with service requirements varying by location: HP facilities require monthly service year-round, while STP facilities need seasonal service from April through October. Contractors must provide all labor, equipment, supervision, supplies, and materials necessary to perform the work, and are required to obtain criminal background checks for employees, submit detailed completion reports within two business days of each site visit, and respond to complaints within 24 hours. Key evaluation criteria include being the lowest responsible and responsive bidder, with the contract to be awarded by complete lot. Critical dates include site visits available from March 17-23, 2020, questions due by March 24, 2020, sealed offers due by April 23, 2020 at 2:00 PM, and anticipated award posting on April 24, 2020.

The solicitation does not explicitly restrict participation to specific types of organizations, but does provide South Carolina resident contractor and subcontractor preferences for qualifying entities. Subcontractors performing more than 10% of the total contract value must be fully identified, with detailed information required including business name, address, taxpayer identification number, and specific work to be performed. Contractors must maintain comprehensive insurance, including commercial general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence, auto liability coverage of $1,000,000 per accident, and workers' compensation coverage as required by state law. The initial contract term is one year, beginning April 14, 2020, with four optional one-year renewal terms potentially extending the contract through April 13, 2025. While specific budget ranges are not detailed, contractors will submit fixed unit prices per month for each line item, with no pricing increases permitted during the initial contract term. Notably, the solicitation was ultimately cancelled on April 17, 2020, with plans to resolicite the contract at a future date.