Mowing and Snow Removal Request for Proposals

The City of Independence, Kansas, requests proposals for mowing and landscape maintenance of City-owned property and rights-of-way, nuisance mowing, and snow and ice removal. Contractors may submit a proposal for all services or for individual service categories. The City may award contracts to one or more contractors.

The selected contractor will provide mowing and landscape maintenance for City-owned vacant lots, public land, and rights-of-way during the contract term. Exhibits A and B identify the service locations and frequencies.

Work requirements

• Provide all equipment needed to perform the requested services.
• Mow grass and vegetation to a height of 2.5 inches and maintain a neat, professional appearance.
• Use a string trimmer around structures, walks, trees, parking areas, sidewalks, and similar features as needed for a neat appearance.
• Collect and dispose of all trash, debris, and limbs in the mowing area before mowing. Mowing over garbage is prohibited.
• Remove grass clippings from sidewalks, pavement, streets, and roads. Bagging is not required, and mulching blades are permitted.

Nuisance mowing

Nuisance mowing applies to properties cited by the City's Code Enforcement Office for tall grass that remain unmowed. [...] Submit a single price per nuisance lot, regardless of lot size. [...] Mow to a height of 3 inches. Multiple passes may be required. [...] The contractor must respond to a City nuisance mowing request within seven days.

Snow and ice removal

The selected contractor will pretreat designated City properties before forecast snow or ice events and provide snow removal and ice treatment during and after each event to maintain safe public access. Exhibit C identifies the service areas.

Pretreat designated areas before a forecast snow or ice event. During a winter storm, periodically clear snow and apply ice treatment to maintain safe public access. [...] For overnight winter storms, clear facilities by 8:00 a.m., with continued service as needed while the storm is ongoing. On Saturdays and Sundays, clear facilities as soon as possible, preferably by 12:00 p.m. (noon).

**Contract term:** January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2029

Submit proposals by mail, fax, or email using the instructions below. Regardless of the submission method, proposals must be received by **12:00 p.m. (noon), Central Time**, on the proposal deadline. Late proposals will not be considered. There will be no public proposal opening.

• Mail: Attn: David Schwenker, City of Independence, 120 N. 6th Street, Independence, KS 67301. Submit the proposal in a sealed envelope marked “Mowing and Snow Removal RFP 2027–2029.” Include the contractor’s name and return address in the upper left corner.
• Email: davids@independenceks.gov. Use “Mowing and Snow Removal RFP 2027–2029” as the subject line and attachment name.
• Fax: 620-331-1628. Include a cover sheet marked “Mowing and Snow Removal RFP 2027–2029.”

A certificate of liability insurance, proof of automobile and mowing equipment insurance, and proof of statutory workers’ compensation coverage under Kansas law. If awarded a maintenance contract, the contractor must name the City as an additional insured and meet a liability limit of **$1 million per occurrence**.

Evaluation will consider relevant experience, understanding of the service requirements, compliance with proposal instructions, qualifications, references, overall proposal quality, and proposed fees. The lowest-priced proposal will not necessarily be accepted.

Site inspections: By appointment with David Cowan. Contractor selection: By January 1, 2027.