Recommend approval to award an annual contract for grounds maintenance at City facilities and cemeteries to Russell Landscape, Inc. for up to $607,624. The Real Estate Services Department will use these services for City facilities and cemeteries (Laurel Grove North, Laurel Grove South and Greenwich).

Grounds maintenance services for the three cemeteries will begin in December 2020 because the previous contractor abruptly resigned in September. The grounds maintenance services at other City facilities will commence January 1, 2021.

This event had a 20% DBE goal, of which half (10%) was to be met by a local DBE contractor.  The recommended bidder, Russell Landscape, Inc.  submitted DBE participation at the subcontractor level in the amount of 20.04% using SABE, Inc. (Savannah, GA)^(A)

The bid was advertised, opened and reviewed. The contract term expires on December 09, 2021. This contract also includes three available annual renewal options.

L.B.      Russell Landscape, Inc.  (Savannah, GA)^(B)                                   $564,148*

            The Greenery (Savannah, GA)^(B)                                                     $761,358

(A) indicates a local, DBE-owned business. (B) indicates local, non-DBE owned business. * The amount awarded includes the additional month of December 2020 for the City Cemeteries Department.

While contracting for this service is necessary at this time to ensure standards in City cemeteries and at City facilities, the City will work in the upcoming year to develop a work venture program designed to provide employment opportunities, such as grounds maintenance work, for Savannahians re-entering the community after involvement with the criminal justice system. 

Approval