This contract is for the hand mowing of guardrails, signs, grass islands, and around culverts in medians and/or shoulders at any locations located in Wicomico County that SHA maintains. The main intent of this contract is to mow grass where larger tractor mowers are unable to reach and to provide litter pickup services. At times, the vendor will be tasked to provide hand mowing with Litter Pickup combined, and at other times they will be tasked to only perform litter pickup services. This contract is being bid as a crew days (defined below) for all areas listed. All work performed must follow OSHA, MOSH, and the MUTCD Traffic Guidelines and be performed in a professional manner. The roadway hand mowing and litter pickup contract will be bid based on Crew Days of service and should be invoiced at the completion of each month work is completed. Prior to award, contractor may be required to submit a listing of equipment and manpower to verify their ability to perform the work in an efficient and effective manner. Timeframe: Specific dates of required service will be communicated to the successful bidder by the engineer upon award or as needed. Work orders under this contract are expected to begin approximately August 1st, 2025. The contract shall end upon exhaustion of all the successful low bid amount or 12 months, whichever comes first. Contractor shall have adequate equipment and staff to meet these requirements Any person employed by the Contractor who in the opinion of the Engineer MDOT/SHA Representative; does not perform their work in a proper manner or is intemperate or disorderly, shall at their request be removed by the Contractor and shall not be employed in any position of work for work on this contract without the written approval of the procurement officer. Handmowing shall be performed in locations as directed by the engineer Litter pickup shall be performed in all areas prior to being mowed as the contractor moves from area to area. NO LITTER shall be mowed or spread along the area and must be cleaned up by the contractor. Contractor shall collect litter in bags and provide a count weekly to the engineer. Contractor may utilize the Cambridge shop dumpster for bagged material. Required Equipment for hand mowing crew: Pickup with equipment trailer (with toplights) Transportation for staff/employees (with toplights) One Zero Turn Mower or commercial walk-behind mower (minimum 36”) with Mulch attachment or rear discharge (grass cannot be thrown on pavement surface or directed at vehicles). No Side Discharge is allowed. Small Walk behind/push mower to cut in obstructed areas Commercial Grade String trimmers for guardrail and vertical objects (one for each employee, plus two backup units) Rakes, blower, etc to help remove debris and clippings if needed. Litter pickers 30 gallon Bags for removal of trash and litter debris Fuel, String, other misc items needed for the work Transportation for staff/employees 2 “Mowing Ahead” signs and stands meeting MUTCD standards Bid Lines: Hand Mowing Crew Day (line #1 of bid form): Estimated at 35 full crew days (beginning in late summer of 2025, as needed) A crew day is Defined as a full 8-hour day (not inclusive of ½ hour lunch break) Starting at 7:00 am and ending at 3:30 pm Base Crew consists of 5 staff total: Includes one working foreperson/supervisor (shall be capable of performing all duties). Foreperson shall be able to mow or trim same as the other crew members. Includes 4 general laborers. All staff shall work to perform the duties of the contract at all times. No idle time shall be paid under this contract, employee breaks may be provided as law allows. Crew day may start on the roadside predetermined location or at the MDOT/SHA shop yard, depending on the engineer’s discretion and daily requirements. Crew day may end on the roadside predetermined location or at the MDOT/SHA shop yard, depending on the engineer’s discretion and daily requirements. Crew shall meet and begin each day at a location agreed upon and approved by the MDOT/SHA engineer. If the contactor fails to provide a full base crew of 5 staff, the rates will be as follows: 4 man crew paid at 80% of crew day No other crew sizes below this will be allowed. If the Contractor begins scheduled work and the Contract Manager cancels it because of weather conditions, the Contractor will be paid a minimum of 4 hours for the Crew. Partial days where 4-hour minimums are paid, contractor shall be paid at ½ the full daily rate. If the Contract Manager cancels work, due to weather conditions, at least 2 hours before the work begins, no “show up” time will be paid. If less than 2 hours of notice are provided prior to the normal start time 1/2 of the daily rate will be paid. There will not be a guarantee of 8 hours per day. Overall Guidelines: Grass shall be cut to 3” finished height Grass shall be cut a minimum 36”width from any sign pole or delineator leaving a 72” diameter cut. *Note: All area between two post mounted signs to be cut. ** see drawings All grass mowed in front of guardrail to pavement edge **see drawings** All grass mowed behind shoulder and median guardrail to woods line, bottom of ditch, or waters edge, or 60” minimum in front or behind guardrail. All grass mowed from pavement edge to pavement For ramps: curbs shall be trimmed to expose all concrete- grass may not overhang surface. All grass beneath all guardrails **see drawings**. All grass along concrete barriers, and bridge structures. **see drawings** All grass islands at intersections. All grass around culverts, not to include residential driveways, is to be mowed a minimum of 36” width around structure. All grass shall be cut a 36” minimum around SHA lighting poles and signal lighting support poles. **see drawings** All grass is to be mowed in a direction as not to throw grass or objects toward the roadway. Any grass on paved surface is to be swept or blown off before leaving site. Grass is to be mowed around all guardrails, light poles, signs and culverts progressively along the highway. No skipping around unless determined and approved by the Engineer. All mowers are to be equipped with turf tires as to not cause damage to turf. All mowers are to have blades sharp enough to give an even cut. All vehicles on site must be equipped with a 360 degree amber warning light with at least two rotating or flashing bulbs. All personnel must wear Ansi class 3 safety vest or equal work shirt or jacket. SHA will provide all Lane closure permits and all protection vehicle services for this contract if required for the work . This will consist of: One Truck Mounted Attenuator (Protection Vehicle) with MDOT/SHA operator Contractor shall work within the workzone established by MDOT/SHA and the protection vehicle Contractor must notify office by phone each day before beginning work and at the end of the work day.
