This Invitation for Bid (IFB) seeks a contractor to perform tree trimming and stump removal services for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) in Fayette County. Key requirements include contractor self-certification with the Department of General Services (DGS) by the bid due date, and submission of a Worker Protection and Investment Certification form. There will be no pre-bid meeting. Services must adhere to PennDOT Publication 23 Maintenance Manual. The contractor must provide a representative with a 24-hour cell phone and email. Work mobilization is required within seven calendar days of notification. A project kickoff meeting will be scheduled within seven days of purchase order issuance. Work is generally Monday-Friday, with potential for weekend work if authorized. Daily work status reports are mandatory. Equipment and personnel must meet specific standards, including inspections and certifications. Pesticide application licenses are required for certain tasks. Property owner notification is required for non-emergency work on trees greater than 4 inches in diameter. Work zone traffic control requirements must be followed. Reporting includes daily roadside activity reports via a mobile application and monthly confirmation of services. The contract type is deliverable-based with a one-year term and four one-year renewal options. Specific pay items detail requirements for trimmer lift tree trimming, stump removal, on-call trimmer lift services, and work zone traffic control, including detailed equipment and personnel complements for each.
The bid notice states that upon submission of the notice of work, the contractor shall have seven 7 calendar days to mobilize the crew and begin work unless other direction is provided by PennDOT county management during the notification call to allow for longer arrival of crew. The bid notice also states that for trees on a list that must be removed, they must be removed within 14 calendar days of receipt of the notification. The project kickoff meeting will be scheduled within seven 7 days after the fully executed purchase order is delivered to the awarded contractor. The contractor shall have seven 7 calendar days to mobilize the crew and begin work unless other direction is provided by PennDOT county management during the notification call to allow for longer arrival of crew.
The bid notice mentions that payment will be made for travel time between work sites within a given workday, but not for travel time at the beginning or end of the day. It also states that time spent on field repairs to equipment is not billable. Untimely or incomplete submissions of form OS501 and required supporting documentation including M609s may delay processing of a proper invoice as required for payment.
The bid notice implies that the award will be made to the next acceptable responsive and responsible contractor that successfully demonstrates the acceptability of its equipment and personnel if the apparent selected contractor fails to do so.
To be eligible for qualification in this category, and for this invitation for bid, a contractor must be self-certified with the Department of General Services (DGS), Bureau of Diversity, Inclusion and Small Business Opportunities by the date and time the bids are due. Any business that has not self-certified with DGS as a small business by the date and time the bids are due will be deemed nonresponsive. Contractors must also certify that they are in compliance with all applicable Pennsylvania State labor and workforce safety laws through the worker protection and investment certification form ****, submitted with the bid. Minimum experience requirements are also specified for the Project Manager and Foreperson.
The bid notice states that should the contractor fail to mobilize and begin work within the prescribed time, the contractor may be declared in default as per the terms and conditions. For any unauthorized fly chipping, all cleanup is the responsibility of the contractor and crew time will not be paid by the department.
The bid notice explicitly states, There will be no prebid meeting.
