This is a service / maintenance or supply contract in Groveland, Florida. Contact the soliciting agency for additional information.

The City of Groveland is requesting proposals from landscape maintenance firms capable of providing maintenance and monitoring services for various native and conventional landscaped sites owned by the City. Firm should include staff trained in natural area assessment, proper native landscape management techniques, arboriculture, native plant identification, and invasive species control methods. Deliverables include preparation of a report that assesses each site for specific landscape maintenance needs. The City has numerous small areas of native landscaping throughout the downtown area, and hybrid or conventional landscapes at key public facilities; some locations have been planted since 2020 and are currently maintained by in-house staff; other locations were installed within the past two years and have been maintained by mowing and maintenance companies. These sites are referenced in this solicitation as Group A. Additionally, the City has two new landscaped areas under construction that will be completed this year. These sites should be included in the five-year maintenance plan and are referenced as Group B in this document. Site Assessments and Report An assessment of each site should be performed and developed into a report to the City. Each assessment will include information on site location and a general description of the plant community. Project location maps can be found in Exhibit A. All sites listed in Exhibit A will be assessed for native and Florida-friendly plant species coverage, irrigation issues, erosion problems, water quality issues, and other potential ecosystem impacts. Recommendations provided in this report will be designed to maintain or improve current conditions, primarily through the control of invasive species and routine landscape maintenance. Long-term management plans, including cost estimates, are to be prepared for each site. Management costs are to include costs for obtaining permits associated with herbicide and pesticide applications. These management plans should include descriptions of all work recommended to complete the scope of work for a period of five years. The information is to be compiled into a report that includes information on how ecosystem health for each site can be improved, and descriptions of the methods that will be utilized and why. The sites will be assessed initially upon contract acceptance, with an interim report provided to the City within 30 days of contract execution. The long-term management plan will be required to be submitted to the City prior to the end of calendar year 2023. The long-term management plan shall be all-inclusive with sites listed in Group A and Group B. Landscape and irrigation plans for Group B sites under construction are included as Exhibit B. Landscape Maintenance The proposal is to include continued landscape maintenance of the sites provided in Group A for the five-year period. This work is needed to maintain plant coverage, improve floristic quality, enhance aesthetics at City-owned properties, and to ensure that these facilities continue to perform as water quality Best Management Practices (BMP's) as designed. An adaptive management approach must be used to achieve the best results. This consists of assessing site conditions every time maintenance activities are performed and tailoring maintenance activities to address the management needs of each unique landscape. A combination of maintenance techniques will be used at each site. These recommendations will be based on existing conditions. It should be noted that plant communities are dynamic and change over time based on climatic factors, successional forces, and maintenance activities. A new invasive species could arrive to these landscapes at any time and have a tremendous impact on local plant communities. Therefore, proper management involves routine assessments of current conditions to appropriately address issues that may arise. All trees should be regularly assessed for structural integrity and general health. Pruning practices and schedules consistent with International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Florida Chapter standards should be strictly followed. Inquiry Deadline Date:September 25, 2023, 11:00 am Question Response Deadline: October 2, 2023, 1:00 pm Evaluation:November 7, 2023 Intent to Award:November 9, 2023 Award:November 20, 2023 The City of Groveland was incorporated in 1922 and is located in south Lake County, Florida. It encompasses 21.48 square miles and has a population of approximately 18,255+ residents. The City operates under a Council-Manager form of government, including five elected officials (the Mayor and four Councilmembers). The City Council determines policy, adopts legislation, and approves the City's annual budget. The City Council also appoints the City Manager who, as the Chief Administrative Officer, is charged with the responsibility of enforcing all ordinances and resolutions passed by the City Council. The City provides the following full range of municipal services authorized by its Charter: public safety, streets, sanitation, recreation, public improvements, planning and zoning, water and sewer, and general administrative services. Questions or requests for clarification regarding this Request for Proposals (RFP) must be submitted in writing through City e-Procurement portal, on or before, Monday, September 25, 2023 by 11:00 am. Proposers must clearly understand that the only official answer or position of the City shall be the one stated in writing posted in the City e-Procurement portal. All questions submitted and answers provided shall be electronically distributed to proposers following this solicitation on the Citys e-Procurement Portal. When asking questions, please be sure to enter each question separately. Proposers are solely responsible for staying aware of any addenda issued.