Title
Resolution Approving a Contract in the Amount of $147,041.84 with Invasive Plant Control, Inc. for Vegetative Maintenance Services Associated with the Stream Corridor Reforestation Project
Body
Department: Water Resources
Council District: 1
Public Hearing: N/A
Advertising Date/By: N/A
Contact 1 and Phone: Steven D. Drew, 373-7893
Contact 2 and Phone: Kristine Williams, 373-2556
PURPOSE:
The City of Greensboro Water Resources Department is requesting to enter into a three-year professional services agreement with Invasive Plant Control, Inc. in order to provide vegetative maintenance services to support the City in the management and maintenance of vegetated stream buffers along select publicly owned stream corridors within the corporate limits of the City of Greensboro.
BACKGROUND:
From 1999-2003, the City of Greensboro planted approximately 17,000 native riparian trees and established vegetated stream buffers ranging from 10 feet up to 50 feet in width along approximately 11 linear miles of streams within City owned parks. Along with the natural regeneration, various invasive and exotic species have introduced themselves as well. From 2004-2018, a contracted maintenance effort controlled the invasive/exotic species to improve the biological diversity and general aesthetics of the stream corridors.
Now, in 2019, a continuation of that holistic management strategy is still necessary to ensure that the stream buffers are both ecologically successful as well as accepted by the community. Some buffers still require maintenance of the woody invasive or exotic species, but the corridors are largely being inundated with invasive vines which out-compete the desirable vegetation.
In March of 2019 a Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued in order to identify companies that have successfully performed vegetative maintenance services to control invasive/exotic vegetation. A selection committee evaluated and scored the proposals submitted by each firm. Two firms submitted proposals by the April 5, 2019, deadline. The firms who submitted a proposal were Invasive Plant Control, Inc. and Carolina Silvics. The services of Invasive Plant Control, Inc. will be utilized to perform vegetative maintenance. Both respondents proposed to self-perform the requested maintenance services without subcontracting. The M/WBE Office was involved in the review of the submitted proposals and completed a good faith review.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Funding for this three-year contract in the amount of $147,041.84 will be budgeted in the Water Resources Operating Fund account 505-7003-03.5413. The amount for each fiscal year will not exceed $41,962.41and are dependent on sufficient appropriations being approved by City Council in succeeding fiscal years. The term of this contract shall be for a period of thirty-six (36) months. The end date of the contract will be on or before November 15th, 2022.
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
It is recommended by the Water Resources Department Stormwater Division that City Council approve the professional services agreement with Invasive Plant Control, Inc. for maintenance of vegetated stream buffers along select publicly owned stream corridors within the corporate limits of the City of Greensboro.