Tree Trimming and Removal Services

Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) issued Request for Proposals (RFP) 26040-RFP-MST to identify qualified contractors to provide comprehensive Tree Trimming and Removal Services across its 235 PreK-12 schools and facilities serving approximately 225,000 students in Florida. The solicitation encompasses all labor, materials, supervision, equipment, and incidentals necessary to complete shade tree and palm tree removal, stump grinding, debris removal, pruning, and lot clearing services in accordance with ANSI A300-2001 and ANSI Z133-2000 standards. Services will be provided across three geographically defined maintenance areas (West, Central, and East) with the possibility of awarding primary and secondary contractors per area. Qualified contractors must employ International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborists and maintain Florida Workers' Compensation Insurance (Class Code 0106) and General Liability Insurance (GL code 99777) with minimum limits of $500,000 per occurrence. The evaluation criteria weight qualifications and experience at 30 percent, specifications and scope of work understanding at 25 percent, cost and best value at 35 percent, and small business enterprise (SBE) utilization at 10 percent. Electronic proposal submissions were required via VendorLink by March 2, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time, with questions due by February 16, 2026, and a Phase 1 bidders' meeting scheduled for March 25, 2026, at 10:00 AM via Microsoft Teams. Service response requirements include providing estimates within three business days, responding to emergencies within two hours, and completing work within two to 15 business days depending on priority level.

HCPS has implemented a Small Business Encouragement Program (SBEP) applicable to this solicitation, requiring bidders to demonstrate utilization of certified small businesses registered with designated certifying agencies including the City of Tampa, Hillsborough County, the Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council, and the U.S. Small Business Administration, with evaluation points awarded on a scale of one point for every 10 percent of projected contract dollars allocated to HCPS-registered SBE subcontractors. All proposers must submit an SBEP registration certificate with their bid submission and complete a Letter of Intent identifying proposed SBEP subcontractors. Additionally, contractors must comply with Florida Statute 287.138 by executing an affidavit certifying non-association with entities owned or controlled by prohibited foreign countries of concern, and must execute a vendor affidavit regarding compliance with state human trafficking laws under Section 787.06(13) of the Florida Statutes. The contract term is initial with automatic renewal for up to four additional one-year periods contingent on appropriation, performance, and mutual agreement, with firm pricing required for the initial term. The estimated contract budget does not exceed $1,750,000, with individual projects typically valued under $10,000 and pricing on an FOB Destination basis inclusive of all delivery and materials.