Request for Proposals (RFP) Fall 2026 Street Trees Planting

The City of Dunkirk, New York
Request for Proposals (RFP)
Implementation of Street Right of Way Stocking Plan
Proposal Submission Due August 14, 2026 @ 4:00 PM
City of Dunkirk
Department of Planning & Development
342 Central Avenue
Dunkirk, NY 14048

Request for Proposals (RFP)
Implementation of Street Right of Way Stocking Plan
City of Dunkirk, New York
I. Introduction
The City of Dunkirk has completed a NYS DEC funded Tree Inventory and Community Forest
Management Plan project (Round 14) and will implement targeted actions from that plan with
the "City of Dunkirk Implementation of Street Right-Of Way Stocking Plan". The plan, created
by ISA Certified arborists from Davey Resource Group (DRG), includes recommendations for
the stocking of 400 trees on high priority sites and specifies recommended species.
City of Dunkirk was awarded a grant to plant approximately 400 trees in the City Right of Way
from NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) over a two-year period. City of
Dunkirk plans to plant approximately 100 trees per each Fall and Spring planting seasons. The
tree stock must be chosen from the approved list (As per DEC Region 9 Forester) of native
species trees as shown in APPENDIX A.
Since the Tree Management Plan was prepared in November 2019, the City lost over 200 Ash
trees due to the actions of the Emerald Ash Borer. City DPW and parks crews worked on
weekends to cut-down many of these trees infected that had not survived during the Fall and
Winter of 2022. There are significant areas of deforestation at Point Gratiot and our city street
trees that has concerned our public. It has become obvious that a more comprehensive and
coordinated effort and funding stream would be necessary to replace the trees lost to Emerald
Ash Borer, and to follow the guidelines and recommendations from the Dunkirk Tree
Management Plan [TMP] (Relevant Plans & Studies).
Since the time period for the mass cutting of infected trees, the City of Dunkirk has worked
closely with NYS DEC Urban Forestry to assess the situation and devise a plan for replanting of
species that are most appropriate for the climate and conditions near the Lake Erie waterfront at
Point Gratiot and City street trees.
The proposed tree planting plan takes in consideration the 3,210 vacant planting sites, and
categorizing the sites with the appropriate size trees for the planting site as well as creating
biodiversity to not have too many trees of common species as identified in the tree inventory list.
The City of Dunkirk will follow the DRG TMP plan with regard to planting in high priority
corridors and streets as shown on pages 31-33 in the TMP. The corridors and streets will be
checked for inclusion in the disadvantaged census tracts and aligning it with HUD census data to
determine the low to moderate income areas to concentrate our planting efforts.
The City of Dunkirk additionally will partner with Chautauqua County Soil and Water District
in collaboration with Revitalize Dunkirk to provide outreach and education for Dunkirk's
residents through outreach and education on tree management. In addition, we will work
together to implement an ongoing watering project for the homeowners and residents to 'adopt'
some of the newly planted trees to take ownership of and care for the new trees.
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II. Project Overview
The City of Dunkirk implemented the Street Right of Way Stocking Plan during the Fall 2025
planting season. 95 approved native species trees, as per the DRG TMP, were planted in high
priority planting spots. The remaining 300 trees to be planted will be broken up into the
subsequent planting seasons through August 2027. The original plan to plant an additional 100
trees during the Spring 2026 season was missed while 8 trees from the Fall 2025 season were
relocated after DEC field inspection on March 31, 2026 revealed the following:
A. 6 redbuds were planted about a foot or less from the sidewalk along the west side of
Washington Park.
B. 1 redbud, on Franklin Ave near W Courtney St, was planted with poor spacing (less than
35 ft) to an existing mature tree.
C. 1 hornbeam, on Franklin Ave near E Doughty St, was planted with poor spacing to an
intersection. It was approximately 5-6 feet from the road.
These eight trees were replanted in better locations and were satisfactorily reinspected by the
DEC on July 9, 2026. To remain concurrent to the originally planned schedule, the City of
Dunkirk plans to plant an additional 200 trees during the Fall 2026 planting season.
The Tree Nursery Contractor will provide stock of 200 trees that will be broken down by
small, medium, and large trees that are size appropriate for the available vacant spots. The Tree
Nursery Contractor shall provide tree planting supplies, and will provide all equipment,
materials, and labor for the installation of the trees in the approved vacant spaces throughout the
City of Dunkirk.
This project is a NYS PREVAILING WAGE (PRC# 2025010790) project subject to providing
certified payroll logs for the labor scope of work performed.
See APPENDIX B for list of NYS DEC Urban Foresters.
III. Scope of Services
The consultant will:
1. Coordinate planting and approved sites with appropriate native species tree stock with
City of Dunkirk Parks Department and Department of Planning and Development.
2. Provide a list of approved tree species for tree stock of (200) trees in your bid that aligns
with APPENDIX A.
Please also include the caliper in your proposal, and if the stock is balled and burlap
or containerized in tree form the below quantities:
A. (95) Small Trees
B. (70) Medium Trees
C. (35) Large Trees
3. Include ALL tree planting supplies necessary to insure survival of trees for at least a
period of three years.
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4. Provide ALL equipment, materials, and labor.
5. Provide a replacement warranty of at least one year for each tree planted.
See APPENDIX D for list of preferred planting sites.
IV. Proposal Requirements
Proposals must include:
* Firm qualifications, including relevant experience in providing tree stock and planting trees
for municipalities.
* Understanding of project objectives and approach.
* Proposed scope of services and work plan.
* Estimated project schedule.
* Fee proposal broken into components:
Tree Stock (species, caliper, and planting stock)
o
Planting Supplies
o
Installation of trees with labor at prevailing wage.
o
* Ability to meet Insurance Requirements; see APPENDIX C.
V. Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on a point value assigned that will add up to [100] possible
points:
* Demonstrated experience in municipal street tree planting projects. [20]
* Ability to meet project schedule of planting 200 trees before the end of 2026. [25]
* Availability of NYS DEC Approved List of Native Species Trees. [25]
* References and past performance. [5]
* Cost competitiveness. [25]
VI. Submission Instructions
* Deadline: [08/14/2026 by 4:00 PM]
* Submission: Proposals must be mailed and/or delivered in hard copy to:
City of Dunkirk
Attn: Vince DeJoy, Director of Planning & Development
342 Central Avenue
Dunkirk, NY 14048
* Questions regarding this RFP must be submitted in writing by [08/03/2026].
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* Responses will be shared with all interested parties on City website or direct request to:
vdejoy@cityofdunkirk.com or 716-366-9879.
* Interested firms can "register" their interest by sending their contact information by
[08/05/2026] to vdejoy@cityofdunkirk.com ensure they receive answers to questions,
RFP amendments, and/or other supporting documentation that may be made available
to potential respondents.
VII. Schedule (Tentative)
* RFP Issued: [07/17/2026]
* Questions Due: [08/03/2026]
* Responses to Questions Posted [08/05/2026]
* Proposals Due: [08/14/2026]
* Selection made: [08/18/2026]
* Award/Contract: [08/26/2026]
* Project Kickoff: [09/01/2026]
VIII. Reservation of Rights
The City of Dunkirk reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, waive irregularities, and
negotiate with any proposer. This RFP does not obligate the City to award a contract or pay costs
incurred in preparing a proposal.
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APPENDIX A
Large Trees
Tulip Poplar Liriodendron tulipifera Medium Trees
American Hophornbeam Carpinus caroliniana
Black Cherry Prunus serotina
Sassafras Sassafras albidum
Swamp White Oak Quercus bicolor
Red Mulberry Morus rubra
Pin Oak Quercus palustris
Eastern Hop Hornbeam Ostrya virginiana
Northern Red Oak Quercus rubra
American Sycamore Platanus occidentalis
Small Trees
White Oak Quercus alba
Downy Serviceberry Amelanchier arborea
American Basswood Tilia americana
Eastern Redbud Cercis canadensis
Black Tupelo Nyssa sylvatica
Washington Hawthorn Crataegus phaenopyrum
Yellow Birch Betula alleghaniensis
Sweetbay Magnolia Magnolia virginiana
Paper Birch Betula papyrifera
Common Chokecherry Prunus virginiana
River Birch Betula nigra
Grey Birch Betula populifolia
Common Hackberry Celtis laevigata
White Flowering Dogwood Cornus
Sugar Maple Acer saccharum
Red Maple Acer rubrum
Tree Species Selection:
1. Species will be selected to fit the planting site, taking into consideration soils, rooting space, overhead
space, adjacent utilities and buildings, drainage, and other site conditions.
2. All species need to be appropriate for the hardiness zone in which they are located.
3. All trees used will be true to name. Size and grading standards will conform to the American Standard for
Nursery Stock as established by AmericanHort (https://www.americanhort.org/education/american-nursery
stock-standards/).
4. It is recommended that no species make up more than 10% of the entire urban forest population.
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Planting Standards:
1. Inspect nursery stock at time of delivery for damage and poor quality.
2. Planting holes will be dug a minimum of 12 inches larger than the diameter of the root system or root
ball. Preferably, the hole should be two to three times as wide as the root ball.
3. Trees will be planted no deeper than previously grown with allowance for settling. The root flair should be
at or slightly above ground level.
4. Strings and twine will be removed from the trunk of the tree. Burlap and wire baskets will be removed or
rolled down into holes.
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5. Backfill with existing soil when suitable. Avoid using excessive amounts of organic matter.
6. When sensitive species are exposed to direct sun, wrap the lower trunk with a tree wrap. Remove wrap
after the first growing season.
7. Bark mulch will be applied around the tree, up to 3 inches deep, in a circle which extends beyond
the planting hole. Mulch should not touch the trunk above root flair.
8. Only dead, damaged or poorly located branches will be removed using proper pruning techniques.
9. All bare root trees (and balled and burlapped trees in exposed, windy areas) will be staked or guyed to
keep them upright. Use commonly accepted staking techniques. Stakes will be removed approximately one
year after planting.
10. Newly planted trees will be watered at the time of planting, and for best results, water, soaking the
root zone once per week, barring rain, and more frequently during hot weather until they are established.
11. In caring for and handling trees prior to planting, all precautions customary in good trade practice will
be taken.
12. A minimum one-year warranty is recommended for trees planted by a contractor.
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Five Year Tree Maintenance:
A detailed, written tree maintenance plan must be developed, including the following components:
1. Grantee will need to inspect the trees every six months to evaluate general health, disease and
insect problems.
2. Grantee will need to treat disease and insect problems as needed to maintain good tree
health.
3. Grantee will need to water during the growing season as needed.
4. Grantees will prune the trees as needed to remove dead, damaged or poorly located limbs using
accepted practices of the industry.
5. Grantees will remove planting stakes and guy wires within the first year.
Other sources for Tree Planting Specifications and information:
* How to Plant a Tree, NYS DEC webpage (http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/5303.html) *
Trees are Good from ISA (http://www.treesaregood.org/).
* Urban Horticulture Institute from Cornell University (https://blogs.cornell.edu/urbanhort/) * University of
Florida- IFAS Planting Trees in Landscapes (https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/planting.shtml) Information
includes: urban design, site selection, species selection, nursery stock selection, planting details and
specifications, pruning and maintenance
* Positively the Pits! Successfully strategies for sustainable streetscapes from University of
Massachusetts (http://www.umass.edu/urbantree/publications/pits.pdf), November 2003 issue of TCI
7/1/04.
Revised November 18, 2022
APPENDIX B - NYS DEC Urban Foresters
DEC Counties/Areas Served Forester Name Email
Region
1 Suffolk John Wernet john.wernet@dec.ny.gov
1 Nassau and Suffolk Mike Fiorentino mf628@cornell.edu
2 NYC all boroughs Tim Wenskus timothy.wenskus@dec.ny.gov
3 Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, George Profous george.profous@dec.ny.gov
Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster,
Westchester
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4 Delaware, Greene, Otsego Nick Shaw Nicholas.shaw@dec.ny.gov
4 Albany, Columbia, Montgomery, Tyler Levy Tyler.levy@dec.ny.gov
Rensselaer, Schenectady,
Schoharie
5 Clinton, Essex Franklin Bryan Ellis Bryan.ellis@dec.ny.gov
5 Fulton, Hamilton Seth Thomas Seth.thomas@dec.ny.gov
5 Fulton, Hamilton, Saratoga, Amy Mackenzie Amy.mackenzie@dec.ny.gov
Warren, Washington
6 Herkimer, Oneida Dan Welc dan.welc@dec.ny.gov
6 St. Lawrence Steve Sherwood steven.sherwood@dec.ny.gov
6 Jefferson, Lewis Mike Giocondo michael.giocondo@dec.ny.gov
7 Cortland, Onondaga, Tioga Matt Swayze matthew.swayze@dec.ny.gov
7 Cayuga, Tompkins, Oswego John Graham john.graham@dec.ny.gov
7 Chenango, Madison Brian Burlew brian.burlew2@dec.ny.gov
7 Broome Nate Funk nathan.funk@dec.ny.gov
8 Genesee, Monroe, Orleans, Wayne Gary Koplun garrett.koplun@dec.ny.gov
8 Ontario, Livingston, Seneca Brice June brice.june@dec.ny.gov
8 Chemung, Schuyler, Yates Pat Lafler patrick.lafler@dec.ny.gov
8 Steuben Cody Lafler cody.lafler@dec.ny.gov
9 Allegany, Cattaraugus, Nate Morey nate.morey@dec.ny.gov
Chautauqua, Erie, Niagara,
Wyoming
APPENDIX C
CONTRACTOR'S INSURANCE:
You are hereby instructed to provide Contractor's Insurance coverage specified below:
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