The Contractor must provide all labor, chemicals, materials, tools, supplies and equipment necessary to complete the services listed throughout this RFP, including, but not limited to: soil testing, turf, and planting bed maintenance. It should be noted that the intent of this RFP is to qualify vendors for an on-call status for service as needed. No work shall be considered guaranteed or recurring during a season. A. Soil Testing: If requested, the Contractor shall collect soil samples and send for analysis to a soil testing laboratory capable of performing the required tests. 1. Collection and packaging of soil sent for analysis shall be as specified by testing laboratory’s instructions. 2. Typical testing will be for chemical and physical properties, including particle size, percent organic matter, soil pH, buffer index, cation exchange capacity, estimated nitrogen release, available phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, magnesium, calcium, and hydrogen, and percent base saturation of cation elements, sulfur, sodium, zinc, manganese, iron, copper, and boron. B. Ground Maintenance of Lawn Areas: The Contractor shall be responsible for grass cutting, raking, trimming, fertilizing, reseeding, weed control, etc. of lawn, and cleaning and sweeping of adjacent walkways, curbs, and sidewalks within areas specified by Rowan University’s Director of Facilities or their designee. C. Grooming: The Contractor shall ensure that lawns shall be maintained at a height determined by the University 1. Cutting equipment shall produce clean cuts, not ripped or ragged leaf blades. 2. Do not mow when the grass or soil is wet. 3. The Contractor shall trim edges around all building drives, curbs, walks, and planted areas. Trimmers shall not be used near tree trunks or near the base of shrubs. 4. Lawn areas shall be kept clean of leaves, dirt, and grass clippings greater the one-quarter inch in length. 5. Grass cutting will be done no more than once a week or as required, and all trimming, edging, and cleaning will be done after cutting. Timing of mowing shall be based on grass height, not on a calendar schedule. 6. Edging and cutting will be done when needed but no less than two times per month. 7. Leave grass clippings in place if not more than one-quarter inch long. Otherwise, lawn clippings shall be bagged and removed from the site. D. Fertilizing: All lawns shall be fertilized twice per year. 1. The Contractor shall ensure that the fertilizer utilized is of a granular type with a uniform base of 50% organic nitrogen 10-6-4 analysis slow release. 2. Fertilizer shall be spread by a broadcast type mechanical spreader at a rate of 600 lbs. per acre in early Spring and Fall. 3. Lawns are to be limed to maintain a pH level of 6.5. a. Lime application, as needed and requested by the Director of Facilities or their designee, shall be based on soil test results and to be billed separately. b. The Contractor shall use only a granular limestone. c. The Contractor shall not apply more than 75 lbs. per 100 square feet (sq. ft.) during any one season. 4. Weed killers or insecticides shall not be sprayed in areas around the detention basin located just off of Medical Center Drive, near parking lot D-2 at SOM or near other water bodies on any campus. E. Seeding: The Contractor shall ensure that all areas are seeded at least once each year in the fall planting season, preferably in combination with aeration, using a drought resistant mixture or other hybrid turf type rye agreed upon with Director of Facilities, or their designee. 1. The Contractor shall apply the seed with a mechanical seeder at the rate of three (3) pounds per one thousand (1,000) square feet. F. Aeration: The Contractor shall ensure that all lawns are aerated one time per contract year, preferably in combination with seeding. 1. Aeration shall be at a depth of at least three (3) inches. G. Insect and Disease Control: The Contractor shall ensure all areas are inspected regularly for weeds, fungus, grubs and insect infestation. 1. Lawn disease applications and insect control applications shall be performed as needed, and as requested by the Director of Facilities, or their designee, to be billed separately. 2. Proper chemicals approved by the Director of Facilities, or their designee, shall be applied as soon as possible to correct the infestation. 3. Weed killers or insecticides shall not be sprayed in areas around detention basins or other water bodies at any site. H. Weed Control: The Contractor shall ensure all lawns shall be treated at least twice each year or more as deemed necessary for general weed control. 1. The Contractor shall apply a pre-emergent crabgrass control once in early spring of each year. 2. Weed killers or insecticides shall not be sprayed in areas around detention basins or other water bodies at any site.
