Francis Marion University is seeking bids for the furnishing, delivery, and installation of sod at the Freshwater Ecology Center. The sod specified is Tifway 419 Bermuda grass with a minimum soil root thickness of 1. 5 inches. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder. Offerors must be registered with the state and provide a state vendor number. Key requirements include site preparation, herbicide application, final grading, compaction, rolling, and post-installation fertilization. All work must comply with horticultural industry standards and best practices. Offerors must submit a signed cover page, page two, and other requested documents, including references and various affidavits. The deadline for questions is May 20, 2026, at 2:00 PM EST. Offers must be submitted by May 28, 2026, at 2:00 PM EST. Electronic copies on a USB drive are also required in addition to the original offer. The university reserves the right to increase or decrease quantities and makes no guarantee as to the total amount of sod to be purchased.
The offer submission deadline is May 28, 2026, at 2:00 PM EST. The bid notice does not specify a separate delivery deadline for the sod itself, but installation is expected to commence around the beginning of June 2026.
The bid notice states that payment will be made in accordance with section **** of the South Carolina Consolidated Procurement Code and disbursement regulations. Invoices must be itemized and verified by the university liaison. The university reserves the right to withhold payment or make deductions to protect against loss.
The bid notice states that Award will be made to the lowest responsible and responsive bidders.
To be eligible for award, offerors must have the capability in all respects to perform fully the contract requirements and the integrity and reliability to assure good faith performance. Offerors must also submit three references for work of similar size and scope, and a list of failed projects, suspensions, debarments, and significant litigation.
The bid notice mentions that in case of default by the contractor, Francis Marion University reserves the right to purchase any or all items in default in the open market, charging the contractor with any additional costs. It also states that violation of certain restrictions may result in disqualification of your offer, suspension or debarment.
The bid notice states as appropriate, see conferences prebid proposal site visit provisions but does not explicitly mandate a site visit. However, under Offerors Responsibility, it states, It is expected that this will sometimes require onsite observation.
The bid notice states, Do not submit bid samples or descriptive literature unless expressly requested. Unsolicited bid samples or descriptive literature will not be examined or tested, will not be used to determine responsiveness, and will not be deemed to vary any of the provisions of the solicitation.
To protest an award, notice of intent to protest must be submitted within seven business days of the award notice posting, and the actual protest must be submitted within fifteen days of the award notice posting.