MOWING MAINTENANCE REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS DUE:
March 11th, 2026
Drop Off, Mail or Email: Landbank’s Main Office
221 East Fourth Street, Suite 200
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
abancroft@cincinnatiport.org
Mission Statement
The mission of the Hamilton County Land Reutilization Corporation (HCLRC or Landbank)
is to return vacant properties to productive use through the tools statutorily provided to the
HCLRC and by leveraging the resources of HCLRC’s executive arm, The Port. In cooperation
with our governmental and non-governmental partners and as a result of our relationships
with private developers, the HCLRC will focus on providing diverse commercial and
residential opportunities through catalytic investment in neighborhoods. These
investments will lead to improved community quality of life, blight, and nuisance
abatement, stabilization, revitalization, increased property values and will return
unproductive properties to contributing, tax-paying status.
The Landbank is looking for qualified contractors to complete lawn maintenance on owned
properties (those with and without a structure). The Landbank will award annual contracts
to multiple contractors and will distribute the work based on geographic area, contractor
capacity, or in any manner that best accomplishes the work. Contracts are to be for two
years, with the option to extend for additional one-year periods, if so desired by both
parties. A contract for services does not guarantee that the contractor will receive a
specific amount of work.
The Landbank expects each contractor to understand its mission, its Policies &
Procedures, including its Purchasing Policy, and its likely inventory. The Landbank owns
these properties in order to help facilitate nuisance abatement needs and to ultimately
place the property back into private ownership and back on the tax rolls.
Cincinnati regional companies with demonstrated experience and capacity in lawn
maintenance are invited to respond to this request. The Landbank encourages
participation from small and emerging contractors. After the deadline, the Landbank will
review all submissions and select a group of qualified lawn maintenance contractors. The
Landbank reserves the right to rescind and republish this request without award if no
companies are deemed responsive.
BID LISTS
Properties are broken up into Lists by geographical area or special program for the ease of
bidding, please take note that some areas have many sites while some may only have a
few. Each site and List as a whole should be quoted with your best price, and each List will
be awarded to a single contractor. You may bid on as many or as few of the Lists as you
choose.
PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS
Please provide the following in the proposal:
1. Completed Bid Cover Sheet [Attached to this Request]
2. Completed Bid Sheets
3. An updated Contractor Pre-Qualification Form [Attached to this Request], including
documentation of required insurance and worker’s compensation coverage (if not
already on file).
Scope of Work: GENERAL MOWING
General Maintenance
1. Complete Mowing
o Each site must be mowed in its entirety, including front, sides, back, and tree
lawn, to a uniform height of 2–2.5 inches.
o Grass must be cut to the property line, including fence lines, alleys, and
easements, unless otherwise directed by the Landbank.
2. Trimming and Edging
o All fences, sidewalks, building lines, poles, signs, and other objects within
property lines must be trimmed.
o Alleyways and back-of-lot boundaries must be included in trimming work.
3. Weed Control
o Weeds in cracks of sidewalks, driveways, curbs, and along building
foundations must be sprayed and/or removed.
4. Blowing and Cleanup
o All hard surfaces (sidewalks, driveways, curbs, and street-side sidewalks)
must be blown clear of clippings and debris.
o No clippings or litter shall remain on sidewalks, streets, or adjacent parcels.
5. Litter and Debris Removal
o Contractors must pick up and dispose of all litter, debris, and branches
before mowing.
o Mowing over trash is strictly prohibited.
o If debris is too large to remove safely, the contractor must immediately notify
the Landbank.
Photo Documentation
6. Before and After Photos (Mandatory)
o Each lot must have before and after photos uploaded into the Slate/Tolemi
system within 24 hours of completion.
o Photos must include the following, every cycle:
Frontage photo: Entire lot, curb to rear boundary (taken from across
the street).
Side boundary photos: Left and right property lines, showing lot
edges and neighboring property.
Rear boundary photo: Rear fence line or edge of property.
Close-up photos (as needed): Any unusual site conditions (dumping,
overgrowth, structures, hazards).
o Photos must be clear, unobstructed, and time/date stamped. Photos taken
during mowing (not before/after) are unacceptable.
Scheduling and Frequency
7. Seasonal Start/End
o Mowing season will typically begin in Mid-April and no later than May 14th.
Landbank will notify contractor when mowing commences.
8. Cycle Requirements
o Early Season: Every 10 days.
o Late Season: Every 14 days.
o Adjustments (due to drought, weather, or special conditions) will be
determined by the Landbank.
9. Site Additions/Removals
o Properties may be added or removed throughout the contract.
o New sites must be surveyed within 48 hours of assignment and
mowed/trimmed as needed.
o Pricing for new sites will align with comparable contracted sites.
Reporting & Communication
10. Abnormal Conditions
o Contractors must report immediately when:
Illegal dumping prevents mowing
A building is unsecured or damaged
Hazardous materials or unsafe conditions exist
Unusual site issues (blocked access, flooding, etc.) are found
11. Structures on Site
o If a site contains a structure, contractor must inspect perimeter and report
any openings, damage, or hazards.
12. Communication Standards
o Contractor must maintain ongoing communication with designated
Landbank staff and respond to inquiries within 24 hours.
13. Agreement Requirements
o Signing of the Landbank Master Service Agreement is required prior to work.
Disqualification for Performance
Contractors may be excluded from future work, subject to termination, and/or liable for
costs if any of the following occur:
• Failure to complete mowing within assigned cycle timeline
• Failure to mow all portions of the property, including tree lawn, backyards, and
property lines
• Failure to provide proper before and after photos (including required angles and
clarity)
• Failure to notify Landbank when conditions prevent mowing (debris, dumping,
access issues)
• Invoicing of properties not serviced or not assigned
• Leaving clippings, debris, or trash on sidewalks, streets, or neighboring properties
This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.
