He Contractor shall provide grounds maintenance and landscaping services for areas outside of buildings and within and along fenced property boundaries. The Contractor will be responsible for providing grounds care, maintenance and services to the Welcome Center Complex. The Welcome Center Complexes are to be maintained in a safe, attractive, and well-manicured manner at all times. The Welcome Center Complex is defined as all structures and components located within the boundary of the property line currently managed by SCPRT. SCPRT expects the Contractor to keep the grounds of the Complexes looking healthy, groomed, attractive, and landscaped with skill and expertise. In all instances, SCPRT is the sole judge of the condition of the Complex, timeliness, professional behavior and standards, and any disputes regarding interpretation of this contract. Full Complex Required tasks apply to all areas within the boundaries of the Complex managed by SCPRT those tasks include but are not limited to: disease and insect control, control of harmful plants (to plants, animals, or people), litter and debris removal, maintenance of swales, ditches, catch basins and fences, mulching, edging, dead plant removal, weeding, grass care, weed treatments, tree inspections, limb removal, string trimming, soil testing and analyzation, and irrigation system inspection and maintenance. Use of string trimmers in these areas is prohibited. The following tasks are described to establish minimum performance standards. The Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service Home and Garden Information Center provides Fact Sheets and research-based information on landscaping, gardening, plant health, and pests when needed. Fact Sheets may be found at: http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/complete_list.html. Vegetation Areas Area is to be mulched, not mowed, and includes ornamental shrubs, ground covers, trees, plant beds, hedges, and herbaceous and flowering plants. Care includes but is not limited to: Annual soil testing and analyzation, properly administered fertilization and pelletized Lime (based on testing), frequent watering, weeding and mulching, insect and disease control, clean cut pruning according to individual plant care needs, removal of debris, deadwood, sucker growth, etc. Use of string trimmers in these areas is prohibited. Mowable (Turf) Areas This area is the turf grass and is mowable with motorized equipment. Care includes but is not limited to: Annual soil testing and analyzation, properly administered fertilization and pelletized Lime (based on testing), annual aeration, frequent mowing, removal of debris prior to mowing, string trimming, watering, weeding and mulching, clean cut pruning according to individual plant care needs, removal of debris, deadwood, sucker growth, and maintenance of swales, ditches, catch basins and fences, etc. Natural Areas Includes areas that are typically wooded with naturally occurring (non-ornamental) trees and usually do not support growth of turf grass. Care includes but is not limited to: litter and debris removal, maintenance of swales, ditches, catch basins and fences, and tree inspection. Picnic Areas Includes all picnic tables, benches and immediate surrounding area. Care includes but is not limited to: vegetative and large debris removal, insect and disease control, maintenance of swales, ditches and catch basins, edging, string trimming, tree inspection, limb and dead plant removal. Irrigation Systems Monitoring and Inspection – Bi-Monthly Some facilities are equipped with an irrigation system to service turf areas. The Contractor is responsible for inspecting and reporting on the condition of the irrigation system within the first thirty days of the contract period. SCPRT will address issues found within this initial inspection, pending financial impact and availability. Thereafter, the Contractor accepts operation & maintenance of the system at no additional cost to SCPRT for the duration of the Contract. The Contractor may request the addition of zones and approval will be based upon availability of reimbursable funding. Bi-monthly inspection includes the manual testing of each zone a minimum of twice a month. The results of the inspections shall be included on the Monthly Report provided to SCPRT
