54-TJK-09-PR39702, STATE ROUTE SHOULDER AND MEDIAN MOWING INCLUDING VEGETATION TRIMMING AND LITTER/DEBRIS REMOVAL

Work includes mowing/trimming of vegetation, and litter/debris removal along State Highway System routes within Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Rowan and Stokes Counties. The furnishing of all equipment, tools, materials, transportation, and labor shall be incidental to completion of the work.

Mowing

Vegetation shall be cut to a height of five (5) inches. A Contract awarded pursuant to this RFP will use the Swath typical section for routine mowing cycles on all routes. Cleanup mowing cycles shall include the area established for routine mowing and extend to the established tree/wood line or right-of-way, or as directed by the Engineer.

The Contractor shall provide at minimum (quantity) the following functional and operating equipment each cycle in the performance of mowing for this contract:

• 60" – 90" Mowers: 2
• 10' – 15' Flex Wing Mowers: 10
• 60" to 72" Zero Turn type Mowers: 1

The Contractor is prohibited from using sickle mowers on any route.

Trimming

The Contractor shall perform string trimming of vegetation around or under stationary objects including but not limited to guardrail/guiderail signs, post reflectors, and light poles along the median and shoulder. The Contractor shall perform trimming on every mowing cycle. The Contractor shall provide a minimum of two (2) each four (4) man crews.

Litter/Debris Removal

This operation will take place prior to each mowing cycle, or as directed by the Engineer. At no time shall bags or collected litter/debris be allowed to remain on the right of way beyond the end of the work day. The Department will notify the Contractor of each location on the state highway system where on call litter collection and removal is required. The Contractor shall begin work within forty-eight (48) hours of notification.

Moratorium

Mowing and string trimming operations performed under this contract shall comply with the moratorium established in SL 2025-47 (SB 391) as follows: ALL ROUTES: May 1 through May 31.

**Mandatory** pre-bid attendance and registration are **required** in order for a bid to be considered. Firms that wish to bid as the prime contractor must be pre-qualified as either a "Bidder" or "Purchase Order Contract (POC) Prime Contractor" prior to submitting the bid, including NCDOT Work Code "016607 Mowing".

Date and time of bid opening: November 18, 2026 at 2:00 P.M.

A contract awarded pursuant to this RFP shall have an effective date of March 1, 2027. The completion date shall be February 29, 2028. At its discretion, NCDOT may offer extension of the contract for an additional term up to a maximum of five (5) total terms (original term and four (4) renewals).

Upon award of contract, the Contractor is required to choose one of the following Performance Guarantee Options. Option 1: Performance and Payment Bonds in the amount of one hundred percent (100%) of the contract amount, submitted within fourteen (14) days after notice of award. Option 2: Retainage Fee of six percent (6%) from the amount of each invoice.

An award in a maintenance contract may be for an amount less but shall not exceed $5,000,000 per year.