Project Summary Request for Proposals Street Tree Planting and Tree Planting Site Preparation in the City of Pittsburgh Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Fall 2017 Tree Planting Season The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) is seeking proposals from qualified firms to complete street tree plantings and street tree planting site preparation in the City of Pittsburgh for the fall 2017 tree planting season beginning in late October. The plantings are part of the TreeVitalize Pittsburgh tree planting project. TreeVitalize Pittsburgh is a joint project of WPC, Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh, the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and the non-profit Tree Pittsburgh. Working in partnership with community groups, volunteers, non-profits, and municipal agencies, TreeVitalize Pittsburgh has planted more than 28,000 trees in 72 Pittsburgh city neighborhoods, 52 Allegheny County Municipalities as well as all 9 Allegheny County Parks in order to improve the quality of life and the environment in the Pittsburgh region. With WPC as the managing partner, the program has developed a thorough tree planting methodology that engages thousands of volunteers and community residents, utilizes the expertise of local urban forestry professionals, procures local, top quality materials, and follows the latest and best urban and community forestry practices. WPC relies on contractors for completing high quality tree planting site preparation work well in advance of volunteer tree planting events throughout the fall and spring planting seasons. WPC holds all contractors accountable for timely corrections on any subpar work or damage to property. When undertaking work in the field on behalf of WPC, the contractor is responsible for upholding high professional standards and courtesy with the public. The majority of contracted work for the fall 2017 planting season will be street tree site preparation for trees that will be planted with WPC staff, partners, and volunteers. A small number of sites will include contracted tree plantings, following WPC s tree planting specifications. Bids from any qualified firm will be accepted by WPC for review. Firms may bid on the entirety of the fall 2017 work, but must bid on a minimum of 20 sites.
Scope of Work 40 New Standard Street Tree Pits: Cutting tree pits into concrete or brick sidewalks to the dimensions specified by WPC staff. The typical street tree pit will be 3x10. A street tree pit cut may not be smaller or larger than the specified dimensions unless otherwise indicated by WPC staff. Excavating the entirety of the tree pit to a depth of 24. The contractor is responsible for removing ANY material from the designated planting location including existing soil, concrete, rock, brick, roots, stumps up to 6 in diameter, or any other material. Backfilling pit level with the existing sidewalk with topsoil. Topsoil Installing retainers along any section of a street tree pit that contacts a brick sidewalk, typically using treated lumber. 48 Replacing Vacant Sites: Excavating the entirety of the existing tree pit to a depth of 24. The contractor is responsible for removing ANY material from the designated planting location including existing soil, concrete, rock, brick, roots, stumps up to 6 in diameter, or any other material. Backfilling pit level with the existing sidewalk with topsoil. Topsoil 59 Existing Tree Pit/Tree Lawn Expansion:
Partial concrete or brick sidewalk cutting to the dimensions specified by WPC staff. Typically 50% or less cutting and hardscape removal than required for a new standard tree pit. Excavating the entirety of the expanded tree pit to a depth of 24. The contractor is responsible for removing ANY material from the designated planting location including existing soil, concrete, rock, brick, roots, stumps up to 6 in diameter, or any other material. Backfilling pit level with the existing sidewalk with topsoil. Topsoil 93 Open Tree Planting Site: excavation of the site. Planting site locations will be provided to the contractor by the WPC Forester and will be marked by white paint and/or colored pin flags. Excavating a planting hole that measures 36 inches in diameter and 24 inches in depth. A planting hole may not be smaller or larger than this unless otherwise indicated by WPC staff. The contractor is responsible for removing ANY material from the designated planting location including existing soil, concrete, rock, brick, roots, stumps, or any other material. Backfilling pit level with the existing grade with a specified grade of topsoil. Topsoil specifications will be provided to the contractor by the WPC TreeVitalize Forester. A sample of the topsoil must be provided to WPC for work begins. 13 Tree Planting: Planting of a 2 inch caliper balled and burlapped tree in accordance to tree planting specifications provided by WPC staff. Each tree must be planted exactly as directed by these specifications and the specific tree species must be planted at each location. Installing a layer of undyed, hardwood mulch that is 2 inches deep over the entire 3 foot diameter planting area. No mulch containing softwood, cypress, dyes, rubber, gravel, or any other material or chemicals may be used. Coordinating delivery of all trees from Eisler Nursery, 1031 New Castle Rd, Prospect, PA 16052.
WPC will not be held accountable for any costs associated with utility conflicts. It is the responsibility of the contractor to utilize the PA One Call system to identify the location of utilities prior to excavation. If a utility company fails to properly identify the location of a utility within the designated time frame, the contractor can hold the utility company responsible for any costs associated with that failure. WPC staff will inspect all tree plantings and tree planting site preparation work and relay any corrections to the contractor. Corrections must be made within 3 business days after notification from WPC. Time Period This contract is for the fall 2017 planting season beginning October 19, 2017 and ending December 1, 2017. WPC may offer the contractor tree planting site preparation work for the spring 2018 tree planting season that begins in March 2018. Locations WPC staff will provide work locations, work order details, and work completion dates upon execution of the contract. Most work will occur within the City of Pittsburgh. Some planting sites will be located in Aspinwall and Brackenridge Boroughs and Harrison Township. Payment Schedule: Please provide unit costs in the format shown below. Work Specification Unit Cost New Standard Street Tree Pits (40 sites) Replacing Vacant Sites (48 sites) Existing Tree Pit/Tree Lawn Expansion (59 sites) Open Site Tree Plantings (93 sites) Street Tree Planting (13--Bid as a per-unit add-on to any of the above)
Proposal Submission In addition to the payment schedule table showing unit costs, please provide the following: Description of experience doing similar types of landscaping work Profiles of staff persons who will be conducting and overseeing the work, including relevant experience and skills Three references from previous clients Proposals must be submitted via email to Jeffrey Bergman, WPC s Director of Community Forestry, at jbergman@paconserve.org by 4:00pm on September 13, 2017. Any questions regarding this RFP must be directed, in writing, to jbergman@paconserve.org. It is recommended that interested firms attend an informational pre-bid meeting at WPC on September 7, 2017 at 1:00pm. WPC is located at 800 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. Please RSVP to jbergman@paconserve.org.