54-TJK-08-PR37074, ON CALL LONG ARM MOWING WITH MULCHING/PICKUP

The contract is a renewable hourly rate solicitation for long-arm mowing with mulching and pickup services in Montgomery and Richmond Counties, North Carolina, under the Department of Transportation’s Division 8. It is exclusively set aside for Small Business Enterprises (SBEs) certified by the NCDOT Office of Civil Rights, with eligibility restricted to firms having an annual gross income of $1,500,000 or less, exclusive of materials. The contract has a one-year initial term beginning August 1, 2026, and ending July 31, 2027, with the state retaining the option to extend for two additional one-year periods, for a maximum total duration of three years. The estimated total value over the full term ranges between $5 million and $15 million, with a yearly cap of $5 million. Bidding is on a unit-price basis, with quantities provided for comparison only and no guaranteed minimums. The award will go to the lowest responsible bidder, determined through a pass/fail gate evaluating bid completeness, price, work experience, performance capability, past references, financial stability, and SBE certification status, with no price negotiations permitted after bid opening. Work must be performed in a neat, continuous, and uninterrupted manner along specified interstate, primary, and secondary routes, with vegetation cut to no greater than six inches in height and all material either mulched or removed. Equipment must include long-arm mowers, a Shadow Truck, and a Truck Mounted Attenuator as needed, and all machinery must be in good working condition with functional safety devices and proper maintenance. Contractors are required to submit work plans to the Engineer and comply with NCDOT Standard Specifications and MUTCD for traffic control. All personnel must wear ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 Class 2 reflective safety vests while on site. Invoicing requires original, signed documents submitted within 30 days of work completion, with no retainage withheld though payment for specific locations may be delayed until final inspection confirms satisfactory performance. Payment requests must be sent to Mr. Mark Thompson at the NCDOT Division Roadside Environmental Engineer office in Carthage, NC. The contract includes strict compliance obligations, including certification of non-debarment, non-collusion, and adherence to Title VI and other federal civil rights statutes. Liquidated damages apply for missed deadlines based on the work order value, and additional penalties are assessed for failures in equipment signage or safety vest compliance. All bids must