Specifications include, but are not limited to: 1. Landscaping and Grounds keeping/landscaping –statement of work must request IPM landscaping methods (see #5). In addition, request use of compost and organic fertilizers, native and drought tolerant plants, integration of xeriscape and permaculture practices, compost all yard waste and use zero-emission battery electric landscaping equipment. 2. Snow Removal – request deicing and snowmelt products that are certified by the EPA’s Safer Choice program. 3. Tree Services – certain regions have a requirement that vendors be certified by Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources to identify Asian long-horned beetles. Request that non-contaminated trimmings be separated and composted. 4. Invasive plant control – ask vendor for a plan to consider effectively targeting and removing non-native plant species without the use of pesticides/herbicides if at all possible and use zero-emission battery electric landscape equipment or at the least equipment powered with a four-stroke engine. 5. Outdoor Integrated Pest Management (IPM): a strategy used to manage insect pests in the landscape by using economically and environmentally sustainable practices. The goal of IPM is not to eliminate insect pests, but rather to strengthen and stabilize the landscape (ecosystem) so that conditions are more favorable for plants than they are for pests. A well designed IPM program should be based on prevention, monitoring, and control which offer the opportunity to eliminate or drastically reduce the use of pesticides, and to minimize, to the greatest extent possible, the toxicity of and exposure to any products which are used. 6. Irrigation systems installation, service, and repair – request drip irrigation or efficient irrigation equipment certified by EPA’s WaterSense Program.
