Specifications include, but are not limited to: This scope of services represents the minimum standards required. The ultimate responsibility of the Contractor is to provide lawns that are at all times attractive and uniformly manicured, which will reflect favorably upon the County and the Contractor. No section or portion of the scope shall be construed or interpreted to preclude the County from accomplishing any task, or undertaking any operation or project utilizing its own work force. All vehicles and machinery used shall be in good operating condition and provided with all needed maintenance to sustain this condition for the duration of the contract. Vehicles must be properly registered and insured in accordance with the Motor Vehicle Laws of Florida and in compliance with all federal, state and local safety regulations. Equipment may be subject to inspection and approval prior to award. Although weather may prevent the Contractor from completing scheduled work on the designated workday, the Contractor shall be expected to complete the necessary work on the first fair workday following. Special landscaping and mowing services may be required for special scheduled County activities. The County will make arrangements with the Contractor a minimum of ten (10) working days prior to the scheduled activity. Fees for these additional services will be negotiated and documented on a case-by-case basis, but shall not exceed the fees charged for similar services charged in this scope. Business Hours of Operations: All work performed shall be accomplished between the hours of 6:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M., (daylight hours only) Monday through Friday, and no work shall be performed on Saturdays, Sundays, or County Holidays, unless permission has been requested in writing by the Contractor and approved, in writing. Request for permission to work must be received by the Project Manager no less than forty-eight (48) hours prior to the requested work day. Work on Saturdays may be permitted by verbal approval from the Project Manager. County Holidays are as follows: New Years Day Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Presidents Day Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Day Day after Thanksgiving Christmas DaySECTION 2 STATEMENT OF WORK RFP Number: 11-0423 20 LAWNCARE Initial Repair of Facilities: Within 30 days after a notice to proceed has been issued, the Contractor shall prepare a detailed quote, in pdf format, of all items (plants, sod, mulch, etc.) needed to be replaced at all locations under contract to put each site into first class condition. The quote shall contain unit costs for the various items and shall be broken down by location. If all recommendations are taken, the Contractor shall assume ALL RESPONSIBILITY, as well as, ALL COSTS required to keep the facilities in the same condition for the duration of the contract. If the Contractor fails to maintain the site in first class condition the County reserves the right to hire an independent contractor to restore the site. The cost for this restoration shall be deducted from the Contractors regular monthly payment(s). The County also reserves the right to find the Contractor in default and terminate the contract. If recommendations for a particular facility are not taken, the Contractor shall assume ALL RESPONSIBILITY, as well as, ALL COSTS required to keep the facilities in the same condition as when initiated. Mowing: The cut edge of the mown turf shall be maintained at three and a half inches (3.5") above the ground, with a maximum height of four and a half inches (4.5"). The Contractor shall provide a cut that is clean and sharp, with no streaks or scalping, and with a uniform distribution of cuttings at all times for areas mowed. The cutting edges of all mowing equipment used in the performance of work shall be kept in sharp condition. Bruising or rough cutting of grass will not be accepted. The accumulation or piling of grass shall not be accepted. All turf areas shall remain well-manicured at all times. Any alteration of this minimum schedule shall be accomplished only with prior approval from the Project Manager. Edging: The Contractor shall edge all plant beds, sidewalks, driveways and curbs on every cutting visit. All clippings shall be picked up and properly disposed of by the Contractor and the remaining loss material blown off all paved, concrete or wood surfaces into vegetative areas only. Edging with herbicides shall not be allowed. Weeding: The Contractor shall manually remove all weeds and extraneous vegetation from all beds and planted areas as needed so as not to detract from the overall appearance of the landscape. In addition, all concrete, paver, and asphalt walkways and driveways shall be kept free of all vegetative materials. All debris from weeding and edging shall be removed from the area and disposed of properly. Mulching: The Contractor shall provide clean treated cedar mulch or match existing, as determined by the Project Manager and the spreading thereof to ensure that a minimum depth of 2 is maintained in all plant beds. Artificial or synthetic mulch products (recycled plastic, tire, or other non-woody materials) will not be acceptable. Raking: The Contractor shall, as needed, be responsible for raking and properly disposing of leaves from trees, bushes, shrubbery, etc. Plant beds shall not be used to dispose of fallen leaves. Casual Shrub Trimming: The Contractor shall perform a casual trimming of all shrubs to ensure that each shrub maintains its basic shape and dead or dying branches are removed at least once every three (3) months. All new shoots two (2) inches long or greater shall be trimmed SECTION 2 STATEMENT OF WORK RFP Number: 11-0423 21 from the shrub. The shrub shall not be trimmed down to bare limb. The Contractor shall also be responsible for trimming of any and all limbs that make contact with buildings. Limbs shall maintain a minimum of 1 clearance from buildings at all times. Tree Overhang Trimming: The Contractor shall trim all branches from trees that hang or intrude into a walkway or parking space on each mowing visit. These areas shall be trimmed so that no vegetation is lower than 7 from the any walking or parking surface. The Contractor shall also be responsible for trimming dead palm tree fronds and for trimming of any and all branches that make contact with buildings. Branches shall maintain a minimum of 7 clearance from buildings in all directions. Plant Material Damage and Replacement: Trees and shrubs may periodically need to be replaced as a result of vandalism, freezing conditions, disease, or malformation. The County may request a written quotation for labor and material cost for removal and replacement of trees and shrubs from the Contractor, but, the County always reserves the right to either perform the action with its own staff or to use another contractor. Litter/Debris/Branch Removal: The Contractor shall be responsible for pick-up, removal, and disposal of all litter, debris, plant cuttings, branches, etc. from County property at each site visit. Items such as, but not limited to, bottles, cans, wood, tires, concrete, cigarettes, paper, etc. that would be torn, ripped, scattered, or further broken-up by the mowers res
