LANDSCAPING AND GROUNDS MAINTENANCE SERVICES - CAMPUS WIDE AND ATHLETIC FIELDS

Southern Connecticut State University is soliciting competitive proposals for comprehensive landscaping and grounds maintenance services across its campus, divided into two distinct scopes: Scope A, covering campus-wide grounds maintenance including turf, landscapes, and common areas; and Scope B, focused exclusively on the specialized maintenance of baseball and softball athletic fields to meet NCAA and intercollegiate standards. Proposers may respond to one or both scopes, with separate pricing required for each. The solicitation, numbered 26-SCSU-2, was posted on April 29, 2026, and responses are due by May 25, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. EST, with all submissions mandatory through the DAS State Contracting Portal; no paper, fax, or email submissions will be accepted. The contract is governed by state statutes and regulations rather than federal acquisition rules, with key requirements including compliance with Connecticut’s prevailing wage law, FERPA and GLBA data protection mandates, state ethics laws prohibiting campaign contributions to officials involved in the award, and adherence to nondiscrimination provisions covering 13 protected classes. Contractors must submit résumés of key personnel including a supervisor with five or more years of experience, provide documentation of licensure and certifications, and maintain commercial general liability insurance with the State named as an additional insured. Performance occurs at numerous campus locations, requiring on-site supervision, use of University-provided checklists for quality assurance, and submission of monthly sustainability reports. Environmental stewardship is emphasized, with preference given to CT NOFA-certified organic land care providers, mandatory soil testing, pH management, and prior written notice for any pesticide applications, accompanied by visible lawn flag signage. Attachment J requires completion of a state affidavit for contracts valued at $50,000 or more, and proposals must include signed affirmations of nondiscrimination and receipt of state ethics guidelines. Evaluation will be based on a best-value trade-off approach, assessing technical merit, past performance, sustainability practices, personnel qualifications, equipment capacity, and total cost without assigned weights or adjectival ratings. Invoicing must reference the purchase order number and appear on official letterhead, though the electronic invoicing system to be used is not specified. There are no contract options, and termination for breach includes return of all state property within 45 days. The estimated value is not provided as pricing tables remain blank for proposer completion.