Specifications include, but are not limited to: I. PESTICIDE APPLICATIONS: A. Pesticides used for control purposes are limited to insecticides and fungicides. These shall be applied by, or under, the supervision of a Virginia Certified Pesticide Applicator (CPA) who holds a Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s Permit for Ornamentals (3A) Pest Control. Having a Virginia CPA (certified in Ornamental Pest control) on staff, shall be required for all successful Offerors. All pesticide applications shall be approved by the Contract Administrator prior to application. B. As of February 01, 2013, all fertilizers applied to nonagricultural land(s), state agencies, localities or other governmental entities shall be applied by, or under the direct supervision of a Virginia Certified Fertilizer Applicator (CFA) or a Certified Nutrient Management Planner (NMP) (Dept. of Conservation & Recreation). Anyone applying for certification as a CFA, must successfully complete an approved training course (online at no cost to the participant, refer to www.vdacs.virginia.gov/plant&pest/cfa.shtml) and submit an online application to VDACS. Candidates considered for award, will be allowed a three (3) month grace period for testing and certification or be required to hire a CFA to apply their fertilizers at no additional cost to the City. If hiring another firm for fertilizer applications, the landscape Contractor will be required to provide proof of CFA certification from the firm providing fertilizer services and notify the Contract Administrator of the day and time of fertilizer application prior to applying. C. ALL industry permits shall be issued by VDACS and be valid during the entire period(s) of this contract . At the time of RFP submittal, the Contractor shall furnish copies of the valid VDACS permits showing the commercial categories for pesticides, as well as the CFA/NMP permit for fertilizers. If the permits’ expiration dates fall within the contract period(s), the contractor shall furnish the Contract Administrator copies of the renewed Applicator’s Permits, and continue to do so, for the duration of this contract. D. All pesticides/fertilizers shall be applied according to manufacturer’s recommendations and directions found on the product label. Prior to product application, the Contractor shall convey the pesticide/fertilizer label for approval from the Contract Administrator. E. The Contractor accepts total responsibility for the replacement of groundcovers, shrubs and flowers etc. whether owned by the City or others, that the City judges to have been damaged or killed as a result of pesticide/fertilizer application(s) under this contract. F. A Registered Technician may apply pesticides provided that the contracted firm has a Registered Commercial Pesticide Applicator on staff who will supervise the registered spray technician. G. For fertilization, “Individual applicator training for Trained Applicators can be conducted by a CFA.” Trained applicators shall be directly supervised on site by a CFA. Any questions regarding VDACS fertilization certifications may be directed to representatives at (804) 786- 3514. II) PLANT MATERIALS MAINTENANCE: A. WEEDING: All planters within project limits shall be maintained in weed-free conditions 52 weeks per year utilizing manual removal, including the root systems. 1) A weed shall be considered any vegetation found growing that was not originally planted or intended for the landscape and/or any vegetation that is deemed undesirable or troublesome by the Contract Administrator. Weeds shall include, but are not limited to, all annual, perennial and sedges, broadleaf herbaceous plants (dandelion, chickweed, henbit, spurge, sweetbrier, poison ivy, Muscadine grape, trumpet vine, etc.), volunteer tree/shrub seedlings, wild rose, and other unruly vegetation deemed as such by the Contract Administrator. 2) Please note for this coastal area, it is routine for weeds to grow all through the year, even during the winter months. Weed elimination shall be provided continuously throughout the year. These planters shall be inspected and evaluated weekly for the absence of weeds, and the burden of proof for continual weed control shall reside with the Contractor to ensure that the weeds are being eliminated in a timely, effective manner. B. PRUNING: Plant materials shall be maintained in a healthy growing condition by pruning to encourage natural growth forms for each species. Whenever plant damages occur (storm, traffic accident, vandalism, etc.), damaged portions shall be pruned immediately. 1) Shrubs and Groundcovers/Perennials: a. Pruning shall be performed in the appropriate season so as not to remove fruit or blooms (Ref. Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) pub 430-462). Contractor shall maintain a natural growth form for each plant species. Generally, most shrubs may need to be thinned with hand pruners. The top most growth may be reduced no more than 1/3 of the entire length. Lightly prune new growth in keeping with the overall size and shape of the plant/planter. Follow guidelines as detailed in VCE pub 430-459. b. Shearing with electric, gas or manual shears is prohibited. c. If fifty percent (50%) or more of the plant parts are dead or unhealthy, notify the Contract Administrator as soon as possible. d. Groundcovers, perennials, vines, and seasonal color plantings shall be pruned as necessary by season of growth to maintain a tidy, non-invasive growth habit. Remove dead, withered plants structures/leaves after blooming, berrying, life cycle, frost, etc.
