VTSU Williston Landscape RFP Q & A

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Vermont State Campus Operations Stephanie.Nault@VermontState.edu May 26, 2025 Williston Landscape RFP- Questions, Answers and Clarifications Q: For the Snow removal portion is what is the snow depth amount to initiate a plow? Most properties have us plow upon 2 inches of accumulation but others can have us start with the first flake. A: We do not have a bare road policy, so 2" is reasonable to initiate a snow plow. Q: There is no mention of salt requirements for the property. What is the want and need around salting? We use standard rock salt on the parking areas but we use bagged magnesium chloride for walkways and entrance ways because it is pet friendly and less corrosive. A: Standard rock salt on the parking areas and magnesium chloride in walkways and entrance ways. Q: If there are salt requirements how is that supposed to be priced? Since there is not a separate line item should that salting service be included within the plowing portion? If so does the salt need to be all inclusive? We would need to price it with a heavier allotment to capture a the season. A: Please include salting as part of the snow plowing bid. Q: For weeding of the beds it states "as required." In my experience that can lead to varying price points because one company may price that section very low and have a better overall bid, knowing they are not going to execute on that service. We have 3 dedicated garden crews that only handle gardening. If I price out monthly visits to cover the entire season, I don't want my overall price point to be inflated because we will perform what is in the contract. A: The "as Required" is to allow the chosen company to maintain our flower beds/ gardens in a professional manner, at different times of the year weeding will be more necessary that others, but we expect that our gardens look professional year-round. At a minimum once a month weeding. Q: For the pruning, how many prunings have you had in the past? Generally there will be light pruning in the spring and then a mid year prune that captures a lot of that work and a final prune of evergreen shrubs and such to put beds to rest for the season. Does that sound like the service that you have had in the past? A: We expect the pruning to be maintained in a professional manner, at different times of the year pruning will be more necessary that others, but we expect that our gardens look professional year-round. At a minimum 3 times a year.