The request of staff for City Council is to review and to consider approval and award of the lowest bid submitted by Blades of Green in the amount not to exceed of $24,000 for the annual mowing and landscape maintenance of City Hall and Sims Park.  In addition staff would request City Council review and consider for approval, as a contingency, the second lowest amount not to exceed bid of $36,050 submitted by Design Landscape Management for the same mowing and landscape maintenance services as described in Bid # 16-017.  It is recommended that City Council accept the bid submitted by Design Landscape Management as a backup contractor in the event that Blades of Green fail to complete the terms of their proposal.

As Council is aware, the City utilizes private contractors for the mowing and landscape maintenance of City Hall green areas and Sims Park located in the Downtown area.  On May 25, 2016 the invitation to bid for these services was advertised.  Mandatory site visits with New Port Richey staff were conducted by all contractors as a requirement to be eligible to bid on the services.  On June 30, 2016 six (6) bids were opened ranging from a low bid of $24,000 to $101,178;  Blades of Green was identified as the apparent low bidder.  Bid documents were verified by staff and references from Hunters Green Elementary and Tampa Palms Elementary spoke highly of the company's work, dependability and professionalism.  Contact was made by staff with Blades of Green Vice-President Mr. Lisky, to inquire about the wide range of bids submitted and the scope of services.  Mr. Lisky stated he was familiar with the scope of services and was committed to perform quality work for the City. The low bid figure was submitted near cost in an effort to win the City Hall and Sims Park mowing and landscape maintenance contract but also the right-of-way mowing and grounds maintenance invitation to bid.

As Council may recall, Qualified Property Management/Design Landscape Management currently performs these services under emergency conditions as the result of Lawn Tech Incorporated notifying the City in May of 2016 they would no longer be able to honor the existing contract.  This is the second time in three years the contractor has terminated the contract for this type of service.  The cancellation of the contracts has required staff to redo the bid process and enter into another agreement.  In an effort to secure a redundancy, staff has had discussion with Design Landscape Management and they have agreed to honor their bid submitted with the same terms and conditions to be utilized in case Blades of Green is not able to perform services under Bid #16-017.  Design Landscape Management is a local firm and they currently perform these services for the City, they are dependable and are prepared to assist the City with in 48 hour notice should they be needed.