C. LAWN MAINTENANCE 1. Aeration – Contractor shall perform service bi-annually in the Spring and Fall. During each service visit, all lawn areas shall be aerated with a hollow-tined core aerator (solid-tined aerators are unacceptable). Aeration shall be done when the ground moisture allows full tine penetration, with soil cores to be left on the ground. If a drought prevents a Spring or Fall aeration, then aerating at a different time is acceptable if approved by the Contract Administrator/Contract Manager. 2. Edging/Trimming – Contractor shall perform service every 7-10 days in the growing season (March through November). During each service visit, the Contractor shall edge/trim so that there is no encroachment of vegetation for more than two (2) inches onto any bed, curb, or sidewalk. Additionally, all areas near natural tree lines shall be maintained to prevent overgrowth onto lawn, parking lot, or sidewalk areas. Vegetation along sidewalks shall be trimmed even with edge of concrete with a line trimmer or edging machine; this procedure shall not dig up soil along the sidewalk edge, if so, soil shall be returned to original depth. No posts, vehicles, or structures shall be damaged with line trimmers or any other equipment. 3. Mowing – Contractor shall perform service every 7-10 days throughout the year. During each service visit, all lawn areas shall be mowed so that the height of grass is between 2.5 and 3 inches and is uniform throughout the surrounding areas of the facility. It is anticipated that during the growing season, March through November, additional mowing/cutting may be needed. 4. The Contractor shall remove all grass clippings that fall outside the grassed area (i.e., on sidewalks, parking lots, parked vehicles, or the building/windows). 5. Grass clippings, litter, limbs, logs, bushes, and other like items and debris shall be removed and properly disposed of at an off-site location. The onsite dumpsters shall not be used for disposing these items. 6. Landscaped areas, lawns, shrubs, and any other decorative vegetation shall be maintained in a manner that presents a well-groomed appearance, promotes survival and uniformity, and prevents noxious/invasive weeds and woody vegetation. 7. Herbicides Application shall be applied to the following areas: Pavement, curbing, gutters, fences, walls, dumpster enclosures, etc. D. GROUND MAINTENANCE 1. Shrubbery/Flowers – Contractor shall perform service as needed and/or requested and approved by the DMV Contract Administrator/Manager. The Contractor shall prune/trim shrubs and flowers to encourage healthy growth and remove any diseased, damaged, or dead parts. Shrubs shall be pruned when they: (1) are getting too large for the space provided; (2) have dead or dying branches; (3) have a stray branch that does not fit with the plant’s overall shape; or (4) have a shell of outer leaves that has caused the interior of the shrub to be bare. Shrubs shall be pruned to ensure they do not block any walkways, security equipment (i.e. security cameras) and ensure customer and DMV staff safety. 2. Weed Control – Contractor shall perform service as needed and/or requested and approved by the DMV Contract Administrator. The contractor shall have weeds removed, and pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides shall be applied as needed to control crabgrass in the spring, weeds in the summer, and any other type of weed that may be present. The contractor shall supply and apply any weed control chemical necessary. Should the property contain rocks, it is the contractor’s responsibility to ensure that all weeds, grass and debris, including trash, are thoroughly removed. 3. Leaf Removal – Contractor shall perform service once a month from September through January, unless requested and approved by the DMV Contract Administrator/Manager. The Contractor shall rake and remove all leaves from all areas including paved surfaces, lawn, mulched areas, and plant beds. This normally occurs during the period of September 1st through January 31st. Any concrete ditches, inlets and outlets shall be thoroughly cleared once in the spring and once in the fall. All leaves shall be disposed of off-site immediately upon removal. At no time will leaves be left in piles for removal at a later time. 4. Trash/Debris Removal – Contractor shall perform service twice a week (Tuesday and Friday). The Contractor shall remove all sticks, leaves, grass, cigarette butts, trash, litter and debris from all paved surfaces, lawn and beds (e.g., mulch, flower, shrub, tree, rocks). 5. Storm-Related Grounds Cleanup – Contractor shall perform service after storms or severe weather events that leave branches, leaves and other debris throughout the property. 6. Monitoring of Grounds – Once a month, at a minimum, throughout the year, the Contractor shall monitor the condition of lawns, beds and plants and report findings to the DMV Contract Administrator and DMV Facilities Services designated representative, if any additional services are needed and detail what services were completed during the service visit. The contractor shall ensure lawn and grounds maintenance services shall be performed in an efficient and workmanlike manner consistent with the highest generally accepted industry standards for the task being performed.
