Arborist & Grounds Clearing Services

Richland School District Two has issued Invitation for Bid #26-2706 to competitively procure districtwide, on-call arborist, tree care, grounds clearing, vegetation management, and grounds cleanup services. The scope of work includes tree inspections, risk assessments, pruning, removal of hazardous or invasive vegetation, stump grinding, and debris clearing from drainage features and retention ponds. All services must be performed by a contractor that employs at least one International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist with a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ). Work must adhere to ANSI A300-2023 Tree Care Standards and the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) for roadway safety. The contract term is one year, running from September 2026 through August 31, 2027, with options for four additional one-year renewals, potentially extending performance through August 31, 2031. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible offeror. In the event of a price tie, preference is given to South Carolina firms, with priority for those located within the District. For emergency or after-hours requests, the contractor must meet a two-hour call-back and four-hour on-site response target. Bidders must submit their proposals electronically via the OpenGov procurement portal by the deadline of October 21, 2026, at 12:00 PM. Required submission documents include a pricing proposal, a completed vendor questionnaire, a W9, a current business license, and a minimum of three professional references. Additionally, contractors must maintain comprehensive insurance and workers' compensation, and comply with all applicable safety regulations, including the Occupational Safety and Health Act.