Tree Planting for Public Space and Private Property Program
| Location: | Maryland |
|---|---|
| Posted: | Apr 23, 2026 |
| Due: | Jun 11, 2026 |
| Agency: | City of Takoma Park |
| Type of Government: | State & Local |
| Category: |
|
| Publication URL: | To access bid details, please log in. |
| Bid Title: |
Tree Planting for Public Space and Private Property Program
|
| Category: | Public Works |
| Status: | Open |
| Bid Recipient: | Rudy Delsack, Urban Forest Manager |
|
Attachment Preview
Public Works Department
Request for Proposals – Tree Planting
City of Takoma Park
Request for Proposals (RFP)
Tree Planting for Public Space and Private Property Program
1. General Information
1.1. Introduction
The City of Takoma Park (“City”) is located in the southern part of Montgomery County, Maryland. The City, which
covers approximately 2.2 square miles, is primarily residential in character and has a population of approximately
17,000 residents.
1.2 Background Information:
The City prioritizes the maintenance and improvement of its robust urban forest canopy for the provision of
ecological services and a desirable landscape. The City plants trees in public space and offers programs for residents
to order trees to be planted on their property. The City has a mandate to focus on native tree species for its
plantings. Informed species and site selection, high-quality planting stock, and professional tree planting services
that meet or exceed industry standards are essential to establishing new trees that will grow to be the City’s future
urban forest canopy.
1.3 Objective
Through this contract the City of Takoma Park seeks to plant trees in public space, provide watering services for
establishing public space trees, plant trees on private property, and provide consultation services to private
property owners to educate them on tree species, site selection, and the value of planting canopy trees. The City
seeks to enter into a single contract to include all of these services. Through this contract the City seeks to establish
a relationship with a contractor that shares its enthusiasm for cultivating the urban forest and engaging the public
around the value of canopy tree planting.
2. Scope of Work
2.1. All Tree Planting
The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, tools, tree stock, materials, and supervision
necessary to ensure that trees are procured and installed in a professional manner.
2.2. Public Space Tree Planting
The Contractor will procure and install trees on public streets, parks, and other City-owned properties.
The City will provide planting locations and species for public space trees to the Contractor in an agreeable
format with sufficient lead time for the Contractor’s ordering and scheduling needs. The City targets to
plant between 75 and 100 trees in public space per year through this contract.
2.3. Public Space Tree Watering
The Contractor shall provide watering services for trees planted in public space for the first growing season
(April through October) following planting.
2.4. Private Property Tree Consultation
Private property owners will apply for tree plantings through the City. The City will then provide the tree
planting applications to the Contractor. Upon receiving a private property planting application, the
Contractor shall first schedule and conduct a consultation visit to meet with the private property owner
to educate the owner about the environmental value of canopy trees, provide guidance on tree species
and site selection, and provide education on young tree care in advance of the planting. Promotion of the
program and intake of tree planting applications will be conducted by the City. Properties will include
City of Takoma Park | Public Works Department | Request for Proposals – Tree Planting
31 Oswego Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20912
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Request for Proposals – Tree Planting
single-family residences, apartment complexes, condominiums, commercial, institutional, and other
private properties.
2.5. Private Property Tree Planting
The Contractor will work directly with the private property owner to confirm a tree planting plan and
schedule the planting. The Contractor will procure and install the trees. The City targets to plant between
125 and 150 trees on private property per year through this contract. Up to 10 trees per property will be
allowed, as long as appropriate spacing between trees is maintained.
3. Specification Requirements
3.1 Stock
Tree stock will meet the ANSI Z60.1 standard, including but not limited to adequate branching, rootball
size, health, structure, and root flare depth. All stock shall be single-stemmed. Tree stock will be a minimum
of 1.5” caliper and maximum of 3” caliper and a minimum 6 feet tall. Desirable species that prove difficult
to source at the minimum size requirements may be sourced at a smaller caliper and/or height, given the
City’s permission. Once a planting list has been finalized and sent to the Contractor, the City should
selectively tag the tree stock at a given nursery for purchase. During installation, tree stock may be subject
to rejection and require a replacement if the City determines significant structural and/or health concerns.
The Contractor shall supply information specifying the geographical origin of the seed used in propagation
of the plant material when available. The provenance of the seed source should be local when possible.
3.2 Species Selection
Tree species will be selected by the City or private property owner from a list of ten or more native species
agreed upon by the City and the Contractor. Only canopy tree species will be offered for private property
plantings. Public space locations may utilize a limited number of smaller trees for locations under utility
wires. The list of species to be planted through the program will be established by agreement between the
City and Contractor in advance of the first planting season, though the list may be adjusted if both the City
and the Contractor agree to a change. The breakdown of all trees planted in a given year shall not exceed
more than 10% of any one species, 20% of any one genus, or 30% of any family.
3.3 Installation
Tree installations will conform to ANSI A300 standards, including but not limited to appropriate planting
hole width and depth, appropriate backfilling practice, accurate root flare height relative to site grade,
adequate trunk straightness, adequate watering at installation, appropriate mulch installation, and
thorough inspection of the quality of the tree stock. Excess soil will be hauled away when needed to achieve
the appropriate root flare level relative to the site grade. All trees will receive 3 cubic feet of shredded
hardwood mulch. All trees will have a 48” tall rigid plastic mesh deer guard (tree guard) installed securely
to protect the trunk. The type of deer guard and method for securing it are subject to approval by the City.
All public tree plantings will receive stakes to maintain trunk straightness and shall be removed by the
Contractor within 1-2 years from the date of installation. Private tree plantings will require staking at the
discretion of the property owner. Stakes will be 2” x 2” hardwood and tie material will be soft and durable
woven polypropylene or a similar material that will not girdle the trunk and approved by the City.
3.4 Utilities
The Contractor will submit a Miss Utility locate request ticket for every tree planting location with enough
lead time to ensure that markings have been made before planting day. The Contractor will coordinate
with the property owner to determine the potential presence of non-utility-owned underground pipes and
conduit, such as irrigation lines and outdoor electrical circuits.
City of Takoma Park | Public Works Department | Request for Proposals – Tree Planting
31 Oswego Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20912
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Request for Proposals – Tree Planting
3.5 Time Frame for Tree Planting
Tree installations will only occur between October 15th and April 15th. The given time frame may vary in
the event of extreme weather.
3.6 Watering of Public Space Trees
The Contractor shall water Public Space trees for the first growing season (April through October) following
planting. Watering will be conducted such that a tree never goes more than two weeks without receiving
either 1” of rain or a watering visit. The Contractor will provide all equipment needed for watering and will
procure the water. Trees will be provided with a minimum of 10 gallons of water per inch of trunk caliper
during each watering visit. Care will be taken to ensure that all water soaks into the root zone of the tree.
A watering bag may be used if desired but is not required. If a watering bag is used, it shall be set to release
all water to the soil within 24 hours.
3.7 Private Property Consultations
For private property trees, the Contractor will provide an on-site consultation with the property owner to
cover the following topics:
• Education about the value of canopy trees
• Education about the specific qualities and characteristics of the tree species options
• Recommendations for planting locations and species.
• Education about basic tree care recommendations.
The City will work with the Contractor to approve the specific content to be administered at the
consultation. Planting locations and any other information necessary to coordinate and conduct the tree
planting will be documented by the Contractor at this visit. The consultation should be expected to last
approximately 30 minutes.
3.8 Private Property Planting Plans
The private property planting plans the Contractor creates in coordination with the property owner will
conform to industry best practices and will consider the appropriate species and best planting locations for
the sun light available, soil conditions, slope, proximity to overhead and underground utilities, proximity to
pavement, proximity to buildings and structures, proximity to other trees and landscape elements,
aesthetic considerations, and other property owner preferences.
3.9 Reporting
The Contractor will report back to the City on tree plantings after they are conducted. For public space
plantings, the report will be provided within a week of planting being completed for the season and will
include verification that all plantings went according to plan, the date each tree was planted, and any
details on required adjustments to species or location approved by the City that may have been necessary.
For private property plantings, the report will include a spreadsheet listing each tree planted and the details
associated with the planting. The Contractor will also provide a record of the location of the private
property tree, which may be latitude-longitude coordinates, a map of the property with the location,
and/or an accurate written description. The Contractor shall report the family, genus, and species
breakdown of all planted trees in a given planting season. Each month, the Contractor shall report the
status of public space tree watering to the City for the first growing season (April through October)
following planting. The watering report will include a spreadsheet listing the date each tree was watered
and specify if the watering occurred via a 1” rain event or a watering visit.
City of Takoma Park | Public Works Department | Request for Proposals – Tree Planting
31 Oswego Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20912
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Request for Proposals – Tree Planting
4. Miscellaneous Requirements:
No gas-powered leaf blowers are to be used by the contractor for this contract, in observation of Takoma Park City
Council Resolution No. 2011-2
5. Hours of Work and Scheduling
Hours of work shall be between 7:30 and 5:00 Monday through Friday. For Public Space Trees, the contractor will
provide at least four weeks’ notice of the intended planting dates. For Private Property Trees, the Contractor will
coordinate directly with the property owner to schedule mutually agreeable dates for consultations and plantings.
6. Invoice Payment
The City will make payment within 30 days of receipt of invoice. The Contractor shall submit an invoice following
each Spring and Fall planting season. The Spring planting season invoice shall be submitted by May 1st; the Fall
planting season invoice shall be submitted by February 1st. Invoices are preferred to be sent by email.
7. General Standards
7.1. Warranty Guarantee and Replacement
The Contractor shall replace, at no additional cost to the City, any tree that dies within 1 year of the date
of installation. Warranty replacement shall occur within the following Spring or Fall planting season.
7.2 Contractor Responsibilities
The contractor shall be fully responsible for compliance with all State, County, and City environmental and
occupational safety laws and regulations. The Contractor shall provide all employees with proper PPE when
required by Federal, State and local regulations.
Contractor will provide staff able to perform work at the highest standards of horticultural excellence. Key
staff shall have current knowledge of best management practices regarding safety, tree care, and tree
installation. The Contractor will provide cellphone numbers for the foreman of the planting crew and any
staff involved in managing plantings.
The Contractor’s staff conducting the plantings shall present themselves in a clean and professional manner
consistent with typical professional landscaping companies. Vehicles and equipment to be used shall be in
good working order and shall be clearly branded with the Contractor’s company name and logo. The staff
shall wear a professional uniform that includes the name and logo of the Contractor’s company.
7.2 Subcontracting
The contractor shall not subcontract any part of this work without the City’s prior written approval.
8. Performance
Failures to perform the required services as indicated in the specifications herein constitute a deficiency. All work will be
regularly inspected by the City and any deficiencies will be reported in writing to the contractor. The City will make the
sole determination as to the existence of a deficiency in performance. Corrective action by the contractor shall be taken
promptly and the work satisfactorily accomplished at no increase in the contract amount.
If the Contractor fails to promptly perform the services in conformity with the contract requirements or to take the
necessary action to ensure future performance in conformity with contract requirements, the City may terminate
the contract for cause.
City of Takoma Park | Public Works Department | Request for Proposals – Tree Planting
31 Oswego Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20912
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Request for Proposals – Tree Planting
10. Term of the Contract:
The City requests services for a two-year period, with possibility of extension for two additional one-year periods.
11. Proposal Submittal Instructions:
Inquiries may be made to the Urban Forest Manager via email at Rudyd@TakomaParkMD.gov
11.1 Proposals are due by 11:59 p.m. on June 11th, 2026.
11.2 Proposal packages should be submitted via hardcopy to 31 Oswego Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910 or
electronically to Rudyd@TakomaParkMD.gov
11.3 Proposal Package
Contractors must submit the following items with their proposal package
1) A company profile, including number of years in business, type of operation, and number of
employees
2) A list of key staff who will be directly or indirectly involved in the contract and their roles,
including any certifications relevant to the requirements
3) References of current/past clients
4) Proposal Response Form (Appendix A)
5) Qualification and Certification Statement (Appendix B)
6) A completed Certification of Non-Involvement in the Nuclear Weapons Industry (Appendix C)
7) A completed Living Wage Requirements Certification (Appendix D)
8) Proof of insurance
11.4
Confidentiality
Proposals will be available for public inspection after the award announcement, except as to the
extent that a Respondent Firm designates trade secrets or other proprietary data to be confidential.
Material designated as confidential must be readily separable from the remainder of the proposal
to facilitate public inspection of the non-confidential portion of the proposal. A Firm’s designation
of material as confidential will not necessarily be conclusive, and the Firm may be required to
provide justification why such material should not be disclosed, on request, under the Maryland Public
Information Act, Maryland Code, General Provisions Article § 4-101, et seq.
11.5 Proposal Expenses
The City is not responsible for expenses incurred by Contractor in preparing and submitting proposals.
11.6 Rejection of Proposals
The City reserves the right to reject any and all proposals in part or as a whole, to waive technical defects,
and to select the proposal(s) deemed most advantageous to the City.
11.7 Duration of Prices
The price proposal submitted by the Contractor is irrevocable for a period of 90 days from the proposal
due date.
11.8 Acceptance of Terms and Conditions
By submitting a proposal, a Contractor accepts the terms and conditions set forth in this RFP.
11.9 Procurement Law
This RFP and any contract entered into as a result of this RFP are governed by City of Takoma Park Code,
Title 7, Division 1 (Purchasing).
City of Takoma Park | Public Works Department | Request for Proposals – Tree Planting
31 Oswego Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20912
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