Mowing Services RFP

The City of Indianola, Iowa, is requesting proposals from insured contractors to mow at designated City parks and other City-owned grounds, including but not limited to, City Hall, Library, Water Resource Recover Department (WRRD), and the Indianola Wellness Campus. The selected contractor will provide all labor, equipment, and operating supplies.

The City intends to select a contractor based on proposed rates and fees, the ability to meet the services, and the qualifications/experience of the contractor. Award is subject to approval by the City Council and the execution of a written agreement.

Bids are to be on a per mowing, and per park area cost breakdown; however, the City is requesting a three-year contract bid. The mowing contract will be awarded each year only if the previous year’s work is satisfactory.

The City reserves the right to remove any sites from the contract mowing list and all areas listed may not be awarded in the contract. Maps of the mowing area are included in this RFP.

• Mowing must be done so that all turf is cut at the same height and has a smooth carpet-like look. Uneven mowed grass areas will not be acceptable and must be re-mowed at the request of the Parks Supervisor or the WRRD Superintendent.
• The Parks Supervisor or staff will determine the exact mowing height, usually 3.5”.
• Grass must be blown away from all buildings, shelters, restrooms, sand play equipment areas, the swimming pool, landscape beds, and walkways. Grass clippings thrown on these areas must be removed by broom or blower. Grass shall not be blown into the street.
• Trimming includes cutting or removing weeds in or along fences, around trees, shrubs, posts, wood play area borders, etc. (wherever grass is tall where mowers cannot get to). Any weeds or grass in wood chips around trees must be removed. [...] Tree and fence damage will not be tolerated. The Contractor will be responsible for damage done to trees and fences while trimming and mowing around them.
• Litter – All litter, especially paper, must be picked up before mowing. This may mean getting off a mower to pick up litter. Paper shall not be mowed over and chopped into multiple pieces. If this happens, the contractor must rake and remove all small pieces of paper from the turf.
• Mowing Frequency – Beginning in April (as per notification of the Parks Supervisor), areas will be mowed, trimmed, and litter picked up every week throughout the growing season. The City of Indianola does reserve the right to stop mowing at any or all sites due to weather, climate, or growing conditions.
• Regular mowing schedules must be adhered to. Preferably Wednesday through Friday to have parks look their best for weekends. Late mowing will not be tolerated. Mowing will be performed during the daytime hours as the park areas get busy in the evenings. Weekend mowing will only be allowed during times of wet weather for catch-up. Work by Contractor must begin within 4 days of notification by Parks Supervisor, weather permitting.
• Labor, Equipment, and Operating Supplies are to be supplied by the mowing Contractor.

**Submission:** Submit one printed copy in a sealed envelope. **No email submissions.** Proposals are due by Tuesday, **December 1, 2026, no later than 2:00 PM.** Late proposals will be rejected.

**Required** content:

• Completion of the mowing bid form
• Completion of the type of mowing and trimming equipment and personnel
• References (2 minimum) for comparable mowing work completed within the past five (5) years, including contact name, telephone number and project description
• Certificate of insurance or letter from insurer confirming the coverages in Section 7
• Signature of an individual authorized to bind the firm

Evaluated on the size and quality of mowing equipment, personnel capable of handling the amount of mowing specified, fees and references.

Insurance:

• Workers’ Compensation as provided by law
• Commercial General Liability of not less than **$1,000,000** per occurrence and **$2,000,000** aggregate, for bodily injury, personal injury, and property damage
• Commercial automobile liability in the amount of **$1,000,000** for bodily injury and property damage.
• Each policy shall require a 30-day notice of cancellation.

Agreement to be for a three (3) year period. A site visit can be scheduled prior to submitting a proposal by contacting Parks Supervisor Marty Chittenden at mchittenden@indianolaiowa.gov or 515-962-5297 and WRRD Superintendent John Lloyd at jlloyd@indianolaiowa.gov or 515-962-5284, no later than November 20, 2026.