Welcome Sign Landscape Maint-Dillon

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is seeking a landscape maintenance contractor for the Welcome to South Carolina sign located at Exit 1A Southbound off Interstate 95 in Dillon, South Carolina. The procurement is an Invitation for Bid (IFB) Exempt Solicitation for comprehensive landscaping services, including biweekly mowing and string trimming from March through October, monthly service during winter months, edging, litter removal, sprinkler system monitoring, plant bed maintenance, and vegetation management. Specific deliverables include twice-monthly weed and debris removal from plant beds, monthly trimming and pruning of shrubs and trees, three annual mulch applications, annual pressure washing of signage, and ongoing insect and vegetation control. Contractors must hold a valid commercial South Carolina Pesticide Applicator License certified in Category 3 Turf and Ornamental. The contract has a pre-bid conference call scheduled for May 11, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., with bidder registration required by May 9, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. The proposal submission deadline is May 24, 2022, at 2:30 p.m., with questions due by May 12, 2022, at 2:30 p.m. Award notification is expected on June 2, 2022.

The contract is structured as a one-year initial term with four automatic one-year renewal options, running from June 14, 2022, to June 13, 2027. Pricing must be submitted as a lump sum monthly rate divided into twelve equal installments per contract year. Bidders are required to submit proposals through the South Carolina procurement portal and must obtain a state vendor number. Insurance requirements include Commercial General Liability insurance with $1,000,000 per occurrence, Auto Liability insurance with $1,000,000 limits, and Workers' Compensation with statutory limits. Non-compliance with specifications may result in financial penalties ranging from $50 to $100 per day, with potential contract termination after three Category A violations or two Category B violations. While no specific set-aside designations are mentioned, the solicitation appears open to qualified vendors meeting the technical and insurance requirements. There are no details provided about incumbent vendors or existing infrastructure beyond the welcome sign location. The procurement documents do not specify a precise budget range, instead requesting monthly lump sum pricing for the comprehensive landscape maintenance services.