Mar142024
BlogDowntown Blooms Seeks Landscaper

Downtown Blooms Seeks Landscaper

 

Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. seeks a qualified contractor/landscaper to maintain municipal public planting areas throughout the North/South Streets business corridor. The work area begins at the median strip in front of 163 South Street and ends on North Street at the intersection of Wahconah Street. This shall include plantings on the outside of Park Square (Bank Row) and the opposite side (East Street). A detailed scope map (Limits of Maintenance Diagram) is linked here for reference.

The Contractor shall be an experienced local landscaper, with preference given to an American Association of Nurserymen (AAN) certified nursery or a Mass Certified Horticultural Professional (MCHP) business, capable of performing the work outlined herein. Maintenance will begin immediately with initial contract from April to June, with extension to include July through October pending City of Pittsfield budget funding approval.

Applicant bids must be received by Wednesday, March 27, 2024 and can be emailed to [email protected]

 

Scope of Work

The scope of work shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

General

The area to be maintained under the terms of this contract include all planting beds and trees within the City owned properties identified in the Limits of Maintenance Diagram.  General landscape maintenance activities shall include, but not be limited to:

  1. Litter removal from planting beds
  2. Weed removal from sidewalk pavers
  3. Sand removal from planters (from winter road sanding operations)
  4. Fertilizing
  5. Weeding, weed control, and cultivating
  6. Mulch replenishing/replacing as provided by the City
  7. Disease and insect pest control
  8. Spring planting as provided by the City
  9. Tree trimming and pruning
  10. Removing all rubbish and waste used in the execution of the contract at the end of each work week.

All work shall be performed following the schedule provided with this request for quotes.

 

Description of the Scope of Work

Scope items shall be performed following the schedule under section 3 below.

Litter Removal

  • Contractor shall remove litter from all planting areas designated in the attached Limits of Maintenance Diagram and dispose of offsite in a legal manner.

Weed Removal from Sidewalk Pavers

  • Contractor shall remove weeds growing along and within the sidewalk pavers located within the scope area.
  • The removal shall be performed using organic or environmentally sensitive products when available.

Sand Removal

  • Prior to replenishment/replacement of mulch, Contractor shall remove any excess sand deposited by winter road treatments.
  • It is not acceptable to blow sand into the roadway and leave it, unless it is coordinated with the City’s street sweeping efforts; otherwise, Contractor shall remove excess sand from the site and dispose offsite in a legal manner.

Fertilizing

  • Fertilize trees and shrubs with a fertilizer mix at a rate of application as indicated by industry standards.  Follow manufacturer’s instructions.

Weeding, Weed Control

  • Contractor shall monitor all planting areas for weeds and undesirable grasses. If weeds are present, appropriate controls shall be implemented to address the specific infestation. Applicator’s License required.
  • The application of chemicals to maintain planting areas shall follow the guidelines below. These controls shall only be utilized if the measures presented above are not effective in treating a particular weed, disease, or pest infestation. Use of chemicals shall be considered as a last resort and shall be done only with the permission of the City.
  • Guidelines for pesticides, herbicides and fungicides are as follows:
    • Only use when action thresholds have been exceeded
    • Confirm identity of outbreak requiring treatment
    • Use organic/environmentally sensitive products when available
    • Use target specific products
    • Apply to target areas only
    • Minimize drift by limiting applications to periods when winds are 5 mph or less

Mulch Replenishing/Replacing

  • Contractor shall maintain a bed of shredded natural composted dark pine bark mulch (i.e., not dyed) in planting beds and around trees. Mulch shall not be placed against root flares of shrubs or trees. Depth of mulch shall be between 2” and 3”. Prior to addition of new mulch, existing mulch shall be turned over and raked to prevent compaction.
  • Pine bark mulch to be furnished by the City.
  • Contractor shall provide trimming around signs, posts, fences, sidewalks, curbs, etc.

Disease and Insect Pest Control

  • Plant disease problems shall be treated following Best Management Practices. Insect infestations shall be treated using Integrated Pest Management practices.
  • Inspect all plant material to locate any disease or insect pest infestation on a regular basis. Upon the discovery of any disease or insect pest infestation, identify, or have identified, the nature or species of the infestation. Report this condition to the City’s Tree Warden immediately. A method of control in accordance with common Integrated Pest Management standards shall be immediately implemented.

Plants

  • Reset plants to proper grades or upright position as necessary. Care shall be taken to protect tree trunks. No chains shall be used on tree trunks without adequate protection provided.
  • Install new plants as necessary where missing. Plants are to be provided by the City.

Tree Maintenance

  • Trees will be trimmed and pruned seasonally as needed or directed

 

Maintenance Task Schedule

Contractor shall provide a schedule outlining the work to be performed for the month. The schedule shall follow the monthly outline provided in this RFQ. Contractor shall provide a minimum work coverage of 30 labor-hours per week between April 1 and October 31.

April

  • Clean up all winter debris – litter, sand, leaves, etc. from planting beds.
  • Prune all dead, broken, and storm damaged branches on trees and shrubs
  • Remove litter
  • Pre-treat sidewalk pavers with weed control
  • Check for disease and pest problems in plants and treat as necessary
  • Mulch turnover and raking
  • Fertilize

May

  • Remove litter
  • Replace dead or damaged plants
  • Remove weeds from planting beds
  • Remove weeds from sidewalk pavers
  • Check for disease and pest problems in plants and treat
  • New mulch to be installed after planter weeding is completed

June

  • Remove litter
  • Continue mulching and provide edging
  • Fertilize
  • Monitor water levels, continue irrigation
  • Weed as necessary
  • Check for disease and pest problems in plants and treat as necessary
  • Prune shrubs after flowering

July

  • Remove litter
  • Check for disease and pest problems in plants and treat
  • Prune shrubs
  • Remove weeds from planters

August

  • Remove litter
  • Check for disease and pest problems in plants and treat
  • Prune shrubs
  • Remove weeds from planters

September

  • Remove litter
  • Fertilize shrubs with a fertilizer designed for fall season application
  • Check for disease and pest problems in plants and treat
  • Weed as necessary
  • Replace dead or damaged plants

October

  • Clean up leaves, litter, etc.
  • Remove weeds from planting beds
  • Check for disease and pest problems in plants and treat as necessary
  • Prune trees as needed

 

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