Citywide Invasive Plant Removal and Control (Bid Discount)

The City of Tampa is soliciting bids for citywide invasive plant removal and control services under solicitation number 26-P-00410, issued by the Parks & Recreation Department. The contract focuses on the manual and chemical removal of Category I and II invasive plant species, including Brazilian Peppertree, Mimosa Tree, Caesar weed, Air Potato Vine, and Kudzu Vine, as identified by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. Work must be performed Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. until one hour before sunset, with all debris removed from sites and no material left post-treatment. Stump treatment with approved systemic herbicides is required, and a minimum of two maintenance visits—six months and just prior to one year after initial removal—must be completed. The scope includes all labor, supervision, equipment, and materials, and work must comply with City Code Sections 19-53 and 21-9 regarding debris disposal. Bidders must submit work schedules for pre-inspection at least one week in advance and adhere to strict invoicing requirements that mandate itemized invoices referencing OpenGov pricing, purchase order numbers, locations, and service dates, with aggregate invoices prohibited. The solicitation is structured as a multiple award contract with a maximum of two awardees selected based on the lowest bid price among responsive and responsible bidders who meet all technical specifications. Pricing is structured per quarter acre for woody and herbaceous invasives and per ton for debris removal, with quantities subject to change without penalty. A 5% bid discount, up to $10,000, is available for City of Tampa-certified Small Local Business Enterprises. Bidders must be fully compliant with federal and state laws, including the Davis-Bacon Act and Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act for labor compensation, and must carry Commercial General Liability insurance on an occurrence basis meeting ISO CG 00 01 standards. Contractors bidding for awards of $100,000 or more must file a certification against lobbying under 44 C.F.R. Part 18 and certify compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act. All bids must be submitted electronically via the OpenGov portal by the July 23, 2026 deadline, and attendance at a mandatory pre-bid meeting on July 9, 2026, is required for eligibility. The contract term is one year with potential for three one-year renewals by mutual