Lawncare Services at Specific Rest Area Locations 2025-26

 
We highly recommend online submission of responses. This expedites the process and reduces errors for both buyer and supplier.   If you are not yet a registered supplier in ION Wave, please visit Iowa DOT Current Opportunities to register for participation and full access to all documents.
 

Overview: The Iowa Department of Transportation is seeking bids from qualified contractors to provide lawn care managements services at the locations indicated on the Line Items tab. Levels of services are described in four basic areas of responsibility: Lawn Care; Lagoon /LP Tank Enclosures/Fenced Storage Areas; Trails and outlying areas; and Special landscaped areas at new buildings. Total acres to be maintained are listed on the Line Item description. Acreage totals are approximate. The Sites included in this bid are referenced in the Facilities Map attachment. Lawn, ground, herbicide and fertilizer services will be provided by the successful bidder at Iowa's Interstate Rest Areas and designated Weigh Scales and Parking Only Groups as indicated in the Line item description. Work performed shall be of professional quality to showcase Iowa's Rest Areas and Weigh Scale properties. Detailed specifications are included as attachments.   References: If Contractor has not previously provided lawn care services to the Iowa DOT, they must provide three (3) work references for like or similar projects of this magnitude.   LINE ITEMS ARE NOT TIED. SEPARATE CONTRACTS WILL BE AWARDED FOR EACH LOCATION/SITE.
Compliance: Separate contracts will be awarded for each Location/Site. See Specifications on the Attachment Tab for how many sites per Contractor are allowed. Note that the specifications have been updated significantly so Contractors are required to review the specification document in it's entirety before placing their bid.  
The contractor responsible for the herbicide applicator must be licensed with Iowa DOT of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (“IDALS”) as a commercial pesticide applicator company as per the attached specifications. Contractors must submit their Licenses, (and licenses for their sub-contractors) for IDALS. Contractor must ensure that their IDALS license (and their Sub-Contractors licenses) are NOT expired. (see Response Attachments Tab).
Contractors must attach their Certificate of Insurance on the Response Attachment Tab and ensure that it is not expired. Contractor should name the Iowa DOT as an additional insurer. Please use the Iowa DOT address of 800 Lincoln Way Ames IA 50010 on the insurance accord. Contractor should review the insurance requirements on the Terms & Conditions document on the Attachment Tab to ensure their Certificate of Insurance meets the IDOT requirements listed on the Terms & Conditions.
On-site visits are highly recommended, but not required. On-site visits may be completed at contractor discretion during reasonable day time/early evening hours. Site visits shall not be conducted during the night time hours. Please submit questions through the ION Wave system.
Award: It is the intent of the Iowa DOT to award the contract to the responsible bidder whose submitted quotation is the most advantageous to the Iowa DOT, cost and other factors considered. Other factors include, but are not limited to: Meeting or exceeding mandatory requirements, proposed staffing, and meeting required time schedule. Other factors may also include a comprehensive review of bidders past work performance and work capacity.
Any contracts awarded shall be for twelve (12) months with five (5) optional additional one-year renewals. Please note, renewals are not a guarantee and must be a mutually agreed upon between the contractor and the Iowa DOT
  Taxes: This project is exempt from state sales tax.  
Communication: Until a contract is awarded the sole point of contact for the solicitation is the Purchasing Agent identified in the solicitation. All questions must be directed solely to the Purchasing Agent listed in the bid opportunity. We encourage vendor to upload all questions on or before the question cut off due date and time in ION wave. Responses to questions will be communicated out to vendors via DOT’s ION wave bid system. Bid Responses shall be submitted within DOT’s ION wave Bid System or signed and prepared in ink or typewritten in the solicitation documents provided.
Telephonic, email or facsimile responses shall not be considered. Please post questions to ION Wave before the question cutoff deadline of 02/24/2025 at 4:30PM CT. Questions or requests for site visit received after this date and time will not be accepted.