54-TJK-08-PR37054, ON CALL LONG ARM MOWING WITH MULCHING/PICKUP

This contract establishes a renewable hourly rate agreement for long-arm mowing with mulching and pickup services on an as-needed basis across interstate, primary, and secondary roadways in Randolph County, North Carolina, under Division 8 of the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The work must adhere to strict operational standards including cutting vegetation five inches in diameter or less to no greater than six inches in height, mulching or removing all cut vegetation, and immediately clearing any debris from the roadway. Contractors are required to provide two long-arm mowers, one Shadow Truck, and a Truck Mounted Attenuator as needed during each service cycle, with all equipment equipped with original manufacturer safety devices and audible backup warnings. Work is restricted to daylight hours only, with no operations permitted on weekends except during emergency conditions or as specifically directed by the Engineer. The contract is tied to the January 2024 North Carolina Department of Transportation Standard Specifications for Roads and Structures, and all performance must align with the mowing limit diagrams provided in Exhibit A. The contract is limited to small business enterprises certified under the NCDOT SBE Program, requiring bidders to have annual gross income of no more than $1.5 million exclusive of materials and to maintain current certification at the time of bid opening. Proposals must include a completed 15-page Bid Submittal Package, signed originals and copies of all required forms, and mandatory affidavits covering non-collusion, debarment, and gift ban compliance. Bidders must also furnish three references for previous long-arm mowing contracts completed within the last three years. The contract term begins August 1, 2026, and ends July 31, 2027, with the option for two one-year extensions up to a maximum of three years. Compensation is fixed for the first year, with renewal pricing adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index, though adjustments exceeding ten percent may result in contract cancellation. Payment is made only for actual completed and accepted work, with invoices submitted monthly to the Division Roadside Environmental Engineer in Carthage, NC. No retainage is withheld, but payment may be delayed until final inspection confirms successful completion. The contractor must comply with federal civil rights requirements including Title VI, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the ADA, as well as OSHA safety standards, and must implement the Federal On-the-Job Training Program with 25 percent of trainees in their first year. Performance and payment bonds are waived, but the contractor must maintain