Subject
title
Award and Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Rider Agreement with Empire Landscape, LLC., a Maryland limited liability corporation, in the amount not-to-exceed $125,000 for the initial term, with terms, including annual optional renewals for an amount not-to-exceed $125,000, through June 30, 2030, and pricing consistent with Queen Anne’s County Contract SCON-003321 - RFQ-000348 for Integrated Vegetation Management Services.
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Department
Rec & Parks - Parks & Facilities
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Mayor and Council award and authorize the City Manager to execute a Rider Agreement to ride the Queen Anne’s County Contract SCON-003321 - RFQ-000348: Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) Services with Empire Landscape, LLC., of Silver Spring, Maryland, from date of award through June 30, 2026 with the option to extend for four additional years through June 30, 2030, consistent with Queen Anne’s County’s Contract, contingent upon annual appropriation by Mayor and Council.
Discussion
This Rider Agreement provides the city with a mechanism to obtain expert contractor support in removing Non-Native Invasive (NNI) plants, within storm water management facilities, on stream restoration Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) and in parks. Additionally, the Rider Agreement provides for restoration of areas where NNI was removed. Both the Public Works Department and the Recreation and Parks Department could access services pursuant to the Rider Agreement to manage NNI where needed.
Use of this Rider Agreement supports goals laid out in the city’s 2040 master plan, including conservation of key environmental areas (Recreation and Parks Element goal 4) and management of a sustainable urban forest and protection of stream corridors, wildlife habitat and water quality (Environmental Element Goal 6).
Mayor and Council History
This is the first time this has been brought before Mayor and Council.
Procurement
Staff believe that this Rider Agreement is the best for the city because the scope fits the city’s needs and the Queen Anne’s County Contract has multiple line items with estimated quantities larger than the city's and, as such, provides more competitive pricing based on higher volume.
Empire Landscape, LLC, is certified with Montgomery County and other entities as a Minority, Female, or Disabled entity, and has qualified as a local small business reserve program company.
In accordance with Section 17-71 of the Rockville City Code, Cooperative Procurement; (b)
The city may contract with any contractor who offers goods, services, insurance or
construction on the same terms as provided other state or local governments or agencies
thereof who have arrived at those terms through a competitive procurement procedure
similar to the procedure used by the city.
In accordance with Section 17-39 of the Rockville City Code, Awarding Authority, (a) All
contracts involving more than two hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($250,000.00) shall be
awarded by the Council. Since the contract amount for the initial term plus all renewal option years exceeds $250,000, approval is required by the Mayor and Council.
The proposed Rider Agreement is Attachment 1 to this agenda item.
To view the Queen Anne’s County Contract please click on the link provided:
<https://www.swisstransfer.com/d/1ce69dc5-68ba-486e-a1cf-7918d597843a>
Fiscal Impact
Sufficient funding is available in Public Works, Environmental Management Division, and in Recreation and Parks, Parks and Facilities Maintenance Division to support this award. All future year funding is subject to Mayor and Council appropriation.
Next Steps
Upon the Mayor and Council approval, the Procurement Department will obtain the Contractor’s insurance, complete execution of the Rider Agreement, and issue a Master Agreement to Empire Landscape, LLC. for services.