Tree Pruning, Removal, and Related Services

Atlanta Public Schools (APS), the seventh-largest school system in Georgia serving approximately 51,000 students across 87 schools and 13 administrative buildings, is issuing an Invitation for Bid (IFB 26-102925-40-B-CP) to procure tree pruning, removal, and related services on a district-wide basis. The scope of work includes tree pruning, removal, chipping, stump grinding, and debris hauling across multiple size classifications, with services to be performed on an as-needed basis during normal operating hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. ET) and weekends as needed. Bidders must submit unit pricing for all service categories, including tree and stump removal for four diameter ranges (up to 4 inches, over 4 inches but less than 12 inches, over 12 inches but less than 24 inches, and over 24 inches), tree trimming, stump grinding, debris hauling per 30 cubic yard load, brush hog services by hourly rate, and tree pruning services, with pricing differentiated by work schedule (regular daytime, night hours, and weekend/holiday work). Required qualifications include obtaining a business license or permit from Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, or Gwinnett counties or a city within the five-county metro area; compliance with Georgia House Bill 87 (E-Verify requirements); submission of proof of a satisfactory background check for a $45 fee; and comprehensive insurance coverage including Workers' Compensation (statutory limits), General Liability ($2,000,000 aggregate), Automobile Liability ($1,000,000), and Umbrella Liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence). Required equipment includes a three-person crew, backhoe, bobcat, bucket truck with minimum 50-foot vertical reach, crane, wood chipper, and dump truck. Critical deadlines include a pre-bid conference on March 4, 2026, a written question deadline of March 11, 2026 (12:00 p.m. ET), and a bid due date of March 25, 2026 (11:00 a.m. ET), with all bids to be submitted exclusively via the Bonfire online platform. Administrative review is scheduled for April 1, 2026, with a board recommendation on May 4, 2026.

The contract offers one base year with four optional one-year renewal periods at APS's discretion, and all pricing must remain firm for one year from the award date. APS offers local preference consideration for contractors holding business licenses or permits within the specified five-county metro area, though no explicit set-asides for disadvantaged enterprises are mentioned in the procurement documents. Pricing must be submitted on the provided Exhibit A bid form in Bonfire and must include all labor, equipment, materials, and supervision required, with APS maintaining exemption from sales tax and federal excise tax. APS reserves the right to award to the responsible bidder whose bid is most advantageous or to reject any or all bids, with payment made within 30 days of satisfactory delivery or invoice receipt. No specific budget range or award value is disclosed in the procurement documents, and no incumbent vendors or existing contractors are identified. Payment processing occurs through the Accounts Payable Department via mail or email invoice submission.