Specifications include, but are not limited to: 1.1. Timeframes Lawn and Grounds services must be performed between 8:00am and darkness, or as specified in the LSS. On holidays, mowing shall be performed the next working day following the holiday. Federal holidays are as follows: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Independence Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. The Contractor must contact the Program Manager (PM) to arrange a service schedule prior to each mowing season. 1.2. Frequency The exact number of required weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or seasonal Lawn and Grounds services is unknown and weather-dependent. A bi-weekly or monthly service may be skipped or rescheduled periodically at the discretion of the PM. In such an event, the PM will notify the Contractor that the scheduled service is not needed or should be rescheduled. 1.3. Regular Lawn Service Mowing shall be performed as needed, typically every 10 days, or as requested by the PM. Mowing shall not be performed until the grass has grown at least two inches since the previous mowing. If additional mowing services are required the PM will contact the Contractor and make specific arrangements. Services on grass shorter than 2” is not authorized unless requested by the PM in writing. The PM may also require an interruption of regular grounds services at any time if it is determined that these services are not currently needed. Before mowing the Contractor shall pick up and properly dispose of all litter, debris, etc. in areas to be mowed. No litter or debris shall be driven over by any cutting device. Grass shall be mown to a height of two to four inches (2”-4”) or at the PM’s discretion. Mowing equipment shall not cause damage to trees, fences, or posts, and shall be kept at a distance from all these obstacles. Grass shall be mown in such a way as to blow clippings away from all structures, all vehicles, and the public. Vehicles are not to be sprayed with grass or stones. Grass clippings and debris must be blown/swept away from all walkways and parking areas. Grass clippings shall be collected only as necessary. The Contractor is not permitted to burn yard/grass clippings or leaves and debris. The Contractor must comply with all regulations pertaining to yard clippings and their disposal according to State and Federal Guidelines. Trimming shall be performed with string type trimmers or hand shears around structures, trees, curbs, fences, posts, walks, drives, etc. Grass and weeds around trees and fence/signposts shall be trimmed by a means not damaging to the trees’ bark or to the posts. Grass/weed clippings and debris must be blown/swept from all walkways and parking areas. Low-hanging tree branches, defined as any limb hanging 6’ from the ground or lower, must be kept trimmed. Downed branches and tree limbs must be disposed of. 1.4. Spring/Fall Clean-Up Includes edging of all paved or concrete surfaces. Includes cleanup and disposal of all fallen leaves and branches, as well as all debris and littered items. Includes grass seeding, if needed. Includes the clearing and disposal of any vines. Includes cleanup of retention ditches or wetlands. Includes removal of any trees and shrubs that are 1.5” or less in diameter. 1.5. Rough Cut / Brush Hog Service This service should result in overgrowth being cut back to a length no higher than 4” in areas of irregular terrain, fence lines, ditches, or special areas identified by the PM. 1.6. Vegetation Kill and Fertilizer Application Applicators are required to hold a valid commercial applicator certification and a current chemical applicator business license (PABL), both of which must be issued by the State of Michigan MDARD. The Contractor must provide copies of this licensure and certification before any services under this section are provided. Application of granular fertilizer, broad leaf weed killer / weed and feed, and grub control may be requested. Application is upon request by the Program Manager only. This service includes the spraying of all cracks in parking lots, sidewalks, any grave/rock areas, the property line (if fenced), and the grass under and around the fence surrounding the motor pool area. This service is only authorized upon request by the Program Manager. Fertilizer, weed killer, and grub control products shall be provided by the Contractor. All products shall be natural, non-toxic products, and must be approved by the Program Manager in advance of usage. Fertilizer shall not be left on any paved or concrete surfaces. 1.7. Equipment Requirements The Contractor shall have a variety of equipment such as mowers, power blowers, line trimmers, hand tools, etc., in sufficient number as to adequately perform the Contract Activities. In the event of mechanical breakdown, the Contractor will be expected to provide backup so that grounds maintenance services can continue to be performed as requested or required. Equipment failure will not be considered an acceptable reason to not perform the Contract Activities. During service visits, supplies, materials, and equipment shall be so confined as to not unduly occupy armory space. Contractor property shall not be left overnight on-site.
