Request for Proposals for Ecologically Sensitive Land Care Services

Massachusetts Technology Collaborative ("Mass Tech Collaborative" or "MassTech") is issuing this Request for Proposals for Ecologically Sensitive Land Care Services (RFP No.2027-GA-02) (the "RFP") to solicit responses from qualified contractors ("Respondents") with experience in Organic and Ecologically Sensitive Land Care. Respondents will be competing against each other for selection to provide the services set forth herein (the "Services").

MassTech is seeking professional land care services for its campus, a 36 acre parcel of land in Westborough, Massachusetts (the "Campus"). The annual landscaping season typically runs from April 1 to November 30. The selected contractor will provide services commencing on or about April 1, 2027. Respondents will provide bids for the 2027, 2028 and 2029 seasons.

Spring Landcare Activities

The Contractor is required to comply with applicable requirements of Standards for Organic Land Care – Practices for Design and Maintenance of Ecological Landscapes, Sixth Edition, January 2017 published by the Northeast Organic Farming Association ("NOFA"), as may be updated or revised from time to time by NOFA. [...] Integrated Pest Management ("IPM") shall be the standard operating procedure for the landscape maintenance program at MassTech. [...] The Contractor is required to provide regular monitoring for possible pest emergence, and notify MassTech of any observed infestations.

During the spring cleanup, any remaining leaf litter, branches, similar organic debris from the prior season shall be removed from plants beds, and hardened surfaces (walks, parking lots, building foundations) and moved to the on- site compost area. [...] All plant beds shall be edged and weeded. [...] Mulch shall be applied to all existing plant beds and mulched areas. [...] Total quantity of mulch to be applied to existing beds should be 35 cubic yards unless otherwise approved by MassTech. [...] Springtime tree care activities include the deadwood removal from trees in actively managed Zone 1 and Zone 2 turf areas.

On-Going Land Care Activities

On an ongoing/bi-weekly basis, the Contractor shall:

• Remove non-organic litter and waste to a MassTech-designated waste disposal dumpster.
• Edge and weed planting beds/ walkways throughout the maintenance season, and remove organic waste to the on-site compost area.
• Provide regular monitoring for possible pest emergence, and notify MassTech of any observed infestations.

Zone 1 areas shall be mowed approximately every 10-13 days (depending on the time of the season) to a height of 3"- 3-1/2". Zone 1 area shall be cut 18 times per mowing season unless otherwise approved by MassTech. [...] Zone 2 areas shall be cut 8 times per mowing season unless otherwise approved by MassTech. [...] MassTech may decide to perform core aeration to turf areas in portions of Zone 1 and Zone 2.

Fall Land Care Activities

In advance of the winter season, the Contractor shall:

• To the extent practical, mulch in place, with lawnmowers equipped with mulching blades, fallen leaves on turf areas.
• For non-turf areas (such as parking lots, planting beds, roadways and walkways) leaves and other organic debris shall be removed to the on-site compost area.
• Fall cleanup will involve multiple trips to the campus to complete.

Tree Care Activities

Periodically, MassTech may require arborist services for trees damaged through natural events, such as windstorms. [...] In the proposal, Respondents shall include the name of a Certified Arborist, either on staff or as a sub-contractor, responsible for any tree trimming or tree removal.

Submission

All applications must be submitted electronically. Applications must be delivered electronically to proposals@masstech.org (please include the RFP number in the subject heading). Applications are due **December 4, 2026 @ 3 PM EST**.

All applications must include the *Application Cover Sheet* (Attachment A), the Application, a current copy of Respondent's W-9 Form, and the *Authorized Respondent's Signature and Acceptance Form* (Attachment B). Respondents shall provide the total not-to-exceed costs in the Budget Template (Attachment C).

Evaluation

Selection of a Respondent to provide the services sought herein may be based on criteria that include but are not limited to:

• The ability to respond to and meet the guidelines and conditions set forth in this RFP;
• Qualifications and experience of Respondent and key personnel;
• Demonstrated knowledge of the subject area;
• Experience in providing similar services to other clients;
• Record of performance with other clients; and
• Reasonableness of budget and rate structure.

Lack of debarment status by either the state or federal government is also required.

Site Visits

Site visits are recommended from October 22 through October 29, 2026. All potential Respondents interested in participating in site visits must contact Mass Tech Collaborative in advance to request a site visit day and time.

Other

Submitted responses must be valid in all respects for a minimum period of sixty (60) days after the deadline for submission. Renewal of the contract for the 2027and 2028 seasons will be dependent on MassTech's satisfaction with the services provided during the prior season.