1. GENERAL A. The Contractor shall inspect grounds upon each arrival and report any damage to the Authority before work is performed. B. The Contractor shall perform and provide full-service ground maintenance including mowing, string trimming, edging, blowing, weeding, irrigation, annuals, pruning, tree trimming, bushes and hedges trimming, fence trimming, mulch, litter/debris removal, and all other items as described herein. C. The Contractor shall be responsible for the repair or replacement of any structural and/or vegetation damage caused by their staff and/or equipment. D. The Contractor shall not perform ground maintenance and/or tree trimming in places where passengers are present in the work areas. The Contractor shall move onto a different area and shall return to the previous area when no passengers are present. The Contractor shall speak to the Authority regarding conflicts. E. The Contractor shall clear all lawn debris off walkways, sidewalks, parking lots, and curbs produced by routine service. F. The Contractor personnel shall re-secure all locks that were used as points of entry immediately after entry and immediately after exiting. The crew leader/supervisor shall verify and confirm that these points of entry are secured upon departure. The points of entry include pedestrian gates, vehicular gates, fencing, overhead doors, entry doors, sheds, etc. 2. METHODS 2.1 MOWING A. Lawn mower blades shall be sharp to provide a clean cut to the grass blades. B. The Contractor shall pick up all litter from the lawn before mowing to prevent the mower from cutting up and redistribute it in pieces. Rocks, stones, sticks, and other debris shall be picked up to prevent injury from flying objects. C. The Contractor shall not leave patches and/or trails of grass clippings, the grass clippings shall be mulched or bagged. D. The Contractor shall not stress the lawn by cutting the grass too short (scalping), mowing height will be at least two (2) inches and at no time above three (3 1/2) and a half inch. Grass heights shall be maintained according to grass type and season. E. All grass clippings and dirt shall be blown off all walkways, sidewalks, parking lots, and curbs. 2.2 RETENTION PONDS A. The Contractor shall be responsible for mowing and/or string trimming drainage ponds, dry ponds, wet ponds, drainage ditches, retention ponds, lakes, etc. to the water's edge in concurrence with each mowing. The Contractor shall make all mowing adjustments during the contract period in response to fluctuating water levels. B. All fence lines around retention ponds shall be maintained through mechanical trimming. 2.3 EDGING A. The Contractor shall use a lawn edger to clear the walkways, sidewalks, pathways, driveways, parking lots, curbs, and plant beds of overgrown grass and weeds by trimming the edges in concurrence with each mowing. B. This shall be included in the bid price for base service at the frequency shown in Base Services.
