Stormwater Ditches, Basins and Lakes Grounds Maintenance

The City of Orlando's Procurement and Contracts Division is soliciting proposals for a comprehensive Stormwater Ditches, Basins and Lakes Grounds Maintenance contract (RFP25-0344) covering multiple jurisdictions within Orange County, Florida. The procurement seeks a qualified contractor to provide all labor, materials, equipment, and supervision necessary for extensive grounds maintenance services across numerous stormwater areas within Orlando city limits. Specific maintenance requirements include grass mowing, litter removal, pesticide/herbicide application, tree pruning, irrigation, and landscape maintenance for over 180 distinct basin, ditch, and lake areas. The contract will have an initial three-year term with potential extensions up to 60 months, beginning upon city approval and execution. Evaluation of proposals will be conducted using a 100-point scoring system, with points allocated as follows: operating plan (36 points), experience (32 points), Veteran Business Enterprise participation (2 points), and pricing (30 points). A pre-proposal meeting is scheduled for September 17, 2025, at 10:00am, with electronic proposals due by October 3, 2025, at 2:00pm. Bidders must demonstrate specific equipment capabilities, appropriate licensing, and compliance with municipal regulations including living wage requirements and E-Verify system verification.

While no specific set-aside designations are explicitly detailed, the solicitation does provide 2 points in the evaluation criteria for Veteran Business Enterprise participation, suggesting some preference for veteran-owned businesses. The contract requires contractors to maintain various insurance types, including Workers' Compensation, Comprehensive Automobile Liability, and Commercial General Liability, with specific minimum coverage limits. Liquidated damages of $250 per calendar day are specified for delays in completing work. Although precise contract value is not specified, the extensive geographic scope covering 180+ maintenance areas indicates a potentially significant municipal service contract. The comprehensive nature of the work, which spans multiple basin, ditch, and lake locations both within and outside city limits, suggests that qualified environmental maintenance firms with substantial operational capabilities and local knowledge will be most competitive. The contract includes provisions for potential extra work and allows for audit rights, indicating flexibility for potential scope adjustments during the contract period.