FY2024-01 - Annual Lawn Care & Grounds Maintenance Contract

This will be an annual contract with the option for renewal for up to 4 additional years. Sealed Bids must list the bid amount for each year individually.  Automatic renewal options are not available for this project. This bid also requires an additional itemized breakdown of the submitted bid.

The annual contract run time will be October 1st, 2023, through September 30th, 2024.  All contract renewals will be discussed in writing 30 days prior to expiration of the current contract.

Contract Annual Scope of Work:

• Mowing – Maintain turf with safe commercial grade equipment.  Mowing height will be between 2 – 3.5”.  Mowing will occur weekly (see schedule).  Mulching kits will be used around all buildings, parking lots and artifacts. The turf must be mowed level with no gouges. 
• Trim – Weed eat all obstacles with each mow cycle.  Includes:  fire hydrants, trees, ground boxes, berms, signs, light poles, etc.
• Edge – Blade edge hard surfaces every other mow cycle.
• Sweep – Use blower in all areas to provide a neat and clean appearance.  Blowing debris on freshly mowed turf is not acceptable.  Contractors may have to sweep prior to mowing and after or use a Billy Goat vacuum to collect debris. 
• Trash – Remove all litter prior to mowing. Mowing over litter is not acceptable. 
• Prune shrubs – Pruning shall be performed to industry standards.  Same day clipping removal is required.  No trip hazards shall remain on walkways during business hours.
• Weed beds – Beds will be hand weeded per the schedule.  Pre-emergent shall be used to minimize weed growth.
• Limbs – Remove fallen limbs up to 2” as part of this contract.  Any limbs over 1” will be priced per job.
• Leaf pickup – Contractor can use to meet the desired appearance using all or portion of the following equipment:  Mowers, bagging, vacuuming, blowers, and rakes.  Collection will occur per the schedule.
• Work areas – Contractor shall have restricted times to perform work be in Rocket and Shuttle Park.  Times are from sunrise to 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM to sunset.  Any other times must be approved by the USSRC Manager.
• Safety – The USSRC employees, museum guest and Space Camper will ALWAYS have priority over any landscape work! During season, we have 1,000 Space Campers living on campus 24/7 and ~1,400 museum guests per day.  It is estimated that our off-season numbers will be ~30% of these numbers.
• Quality – The USSRC is the largest tourist attraction in the State of Alabama.  Quality and esthetics are everything!  The contractor will be managed to the terms of this contract by the specifications, quality, and schedule.  Price is important; however, quality is equally important!
• Pricing – Contractor will build price around the schedule and specifications.  This project will be managed by the schedule (units to be performed) and visual inspections for quality.  The Rocket Center has the right to deduct money for poor performance or not showing up to work.