Tree Planting & Maintenance Services

The City of Gaithersburg Department of Public Works Environmental Services Division is requesting bids on tree planting and maintenance services under RFB 2027-002, with proposals due September 30, 2026, and questions due September 16, 2026. The City intends to award firm-fixed price, indefinite-quantity, unit-price contracts to two qualified contractors.

Bidders must meet minimum qualifications: seven years of relevant tree planting and maintenance experience with local, state, or county jurisdictions; Maryland registration and licensing; assignment of a superintendent or foreman with at least five years of experience; at least one Maryland DNR Licensed Tree Expert and one ISA Certified Arborist on staff; and documented job safety experience. A secure staging facility of at least one acre (or two sites totaling one acre) within twenty-five miles of Gaithersburg is required.

The scope includes tree procurement, planting, site preparation, inspection, fertilization, mulching, watering, invasive species management, and removal of dead plantings. The City anticipates approximately 1,000 trees of 1.5"–2.0" caliper per planting season (October–April), with an additional 1,300 trees planned for fiscal year 2027 under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources "5 Million Trees Initiative."

Unit prices must remain firm during the first contract year, with annual adjustments not to exceed 3% based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index-U effective July 1. Materials and equipment are invoiced at actual cost with no markup allowed. No guaranteed minimum dollar amount or quantity is specified; actual scope and funding are subject to annual City appropriations and successful grant applications.

Contractors must provide performance and payment bonds equal to 100% of the total contract sum and maintain comprehensive commercial general liability insurance ($1 million), workers' compensation insurance, automobile fleet coverage ($1 million), professional liability insurance ($1 million per claim/$2 million aggregate), and umbrella excess liability insurance ($2 million). All bids remain binding for 180 calendar days following the submission deadline, with automatic renewal for an additional 180 days if no award is made. An optional virtual pre-submission meeting is scheduled for September 8, 2026, at 11:00 AM.