RFP: Landscape Services for 2018-2019 1
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS:
Landscape Services for 2018-2019
October 30, 2017
1. Project Description
The Lakeview Chamber of Commerce (“Chamber”), the service provider for Special Service Area 27 (SSA
27), seeks a qualified landscape service company (“Subcontractor”) to install plants and maintain
planters and plant beds within the SSA 27 service boundaries (as described in Appendix 1) for the 2018
and 2019 growing seasons.
2. Proposal Submission
Proposals must be submitted to the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce no later than 5 p.m. on
Wednesday, November 15, 2017. Please email your proposal to Dillon Goodson at
[email protected] and include “Landscaping RFP” in the subject line. Please inform us of
your intent to bid in order to receive any updates or clarification prior to the deadline.
Select landscape service companies may be invited to participate in short interviews with SSA 27’s
Streetscape Committee on Thursday, December 7, 2017 from 8-9:30 a.m. Please hold this date in your
calendar and you will be notified by December 4 if your attendance at this meeting is requested.
Qualifying proposals should include:
Overview of experience and qualifications
Scope of services
Anticipated timelines
Breakdown of related fees for the services described in Section 3
3 references that are familiar with your work
RFP: Landscape Services for 2018-2019 2
3. Services Requested (see Appendix 2 for more information about landscape assets)
Plant Planter Pots and Hanging Baskets
Install plant material in existing planter pots and hanging baskets according to the schedule below.
Planter pots are currently planted with an appropriate base of gravel stone and filter fabric that can be
retained. Subcontractor will work with the Chamber to determine an appropriate plant mix that
balances the desire for seasonal interest with sustainability to reduce water and maintenance needs.
Type, size, and quantity of plant material shall be approved by the Chamber prior to installation.
Inventory
All sidewalk planter pots maintained by the SSA o Quantity: Approx. 50 planter pots o Specs: 36 in. diameter, 24 in. depth
All hanging baskets attached to light poles maintained by the SSA o Quantity: 46 baskets on 23 light poles o Specs: 24 in. diameter
Rectangular planters at Southport Plaza, 3410 N. Southport Ave. o Quantity: 3 planters o Specs: 48 x 20 in.
Rectangular planters at Paulina Plaza, 3411 N. Paulina St. (to be installed by Spring 2018) o Quantity: 6 planters o Specs: 48 x 20 in.
Bucket planters at Southport Plaza, 3410 N. Southport Ave. o Quantity: 5 planters o Specs: 12 in. diameter
Small planter pots at Sheil Park, 3505 N. Southport Ave. o Quantity: 2 planter pots o Specs: 24 in. diameter
Schedule
May: Summer plant rotation shall be installed after the risk of major frost has passed and before
Mother’s Day.
October: Summer plants should be removed towards the end of the month, or as soon as plants
begin dying.
November: Winter plant rotation shall be installed once it is cold enough to ensure survivability,
no later than the day before Thanksgiving.
Plant and Maintain Wooden Planter Boxes
Small planter boxes are already planted with multi-stem serviceberry trees. Large planter boxes are
already planted with perennials, ornamental grasses and woody plant material, but may need to be
filled in further. Any additional plant material should be native or locally adapted species as much as
possible and should include a mix of plants to provide some seasonal interest. Type, size, and quantity of
plant material shall be approved by the Chamber prior to installation.
RFP: Landscape Services for 2018-2019 3
Inventory
Small planter boxes on Lincoln Ave. o Quantity: 10 boxes o Specs: 50 x 50 x 42 in. each
Large planter boxes on Lincoln Ave. o Quantity: 3 boxes o Specs: 52 x 126 x 26 in. each
Shallow planter boxes at the Southport Plaza, 3410 N. Southport Ave. o Quantity: 2 boxes o Specs: Approx. 100 x 80 x 18 in. each
Schedule
May: Planter maintenance shall resume and any additional plants shall be installed after the risk
of major frost has passed and before Mother’s Day.
October: Planter maintenance shall conclude towards the end of the month.
November: Winter plant rotation shall be installed once it is cold enough to ensure survivability,
no later than the day before Thanksgiving.
Maintain and Plant In-Ground Plant Beds
Maintain and plant in-ground plant beds. Plant beds are already planted with perennials, ornamental
grasses and woody plant material, but may need to be filled in further. Any additional plant material
shall be native or locally adapted species as much as possible and should include a mix of plants to
provide some seasonal interest. Type, size, and quantity of plant material shall be approved by the
Chamber prior to installation.
Inventory
Triangular corner bed at Lincoln and Marshfield
o Quantity: 1 bed
o Specs: Approx. 35 x 35 x 15 ft.
Bulb-out beds at Southport and Eddy
o Quantity: 2 beds
o Specs: Approx. 15 x 5 ft. each
Plant bed and small trees at 3501 N. Lincoln Ave.
o Quantity: 1 bed
o Specs: Approx. 25 x 5 ft.
Plant bed and small trees at 1658 W. Belmont Ave. (located on Paulina side)
o Quantity: 1 bed
o Specs: Approx. 40 x 10 ft.
Schedule
May: Planter maintenance shall resume and any additional plants shall be installed after the risk
of major frost has passed and before Mother’s Day.
RFP: Landscape Services for 2018-2019 4
October: Planter maintenance shall conclude at the end of the month. Winter plantings not
necessary in plant beds.
Plant People Spots
Install plant material in planter boxes at two People Spots. Planter boxes are empty and will need to be
filled with a mixture of gravel, foam, and soil prior to planting. Subcontractor will work with the
Chamber to determine an appropriate plant mix that balances the desire for seasonal interest with
sustainability to reduce water and maintenance needs. There is a strong preference for plants that
provide insulation from passing vehicles and shade from the sun. Type, size, and quantity of plant
material shall be approved by the Chamber prior to installation.
Inventory
2 People Spots with multiple planter boxes
o Quantity: Varies (see Appendix 2 for more information)
o Specs: Approx. 36 in. depth
Schedule
May: Plant material shall be installed according to the Chamber’s schedule for reinstalling the
People Spots, generally in May.
November: Plant material and insulation shall be removed according to the Chamber’s schedule
for deinstalling the People Spots, generally in November.
Ongoing Plant Maintenance
Subcontractor is expected to maintain plant health and attractive appearance at the lump sum price
submitted for the above services during service months. At least once per month from May through
October, subcontractor should inspect and maintain all plants as follows:
Remove weeds
Clean out any litter from planters and plant beds
Cultivate soil
Water plants as needed (additional water may be required during drought periods but is the
sole financial responsibility of the subcontractor)
Fertilize as needed
Replace dead plants as needed
Tree Pit Maintenance
Maintain tree pits throughout the service area according to the schedule below. Quantities are
approximate based on an inventory of all trees within the service area.
Inventory
Grated tree pits
o Quantity: Approx. 250
RFP: Landscape Services for 2018-2019 5
o Specs: Vary
Open tree pits (no grates)
o Quantity: Approx. 150
o Specs: Vary
Schedule
May: Remove and replace mulch in all tree pits to the top of the curb or sidewalk and add
fertilizer (as needed) before the end of the month.
October: Replace mulch in open tree pits (those without grates) towards the end of the month.
Ongoing: Weed, clean out any litter, amend mulch, cultivate soil and reset uneven tree grates
monthly from May through October.
4. Additional Requirements
Subcontractor shall attend a mandatory pre-planting meeting with Chamber staff to occur each year in
early spring.
Particular emphasis will be placed on high standards of quality and professionalism. Preference will be
given to proposals that balance the desire for seasonal interest with sustainability to reduce water and
maintenance needs.
It is the responsibility of the Subcontractor to locate, deliver to the site and keep in good health all plant
material specified for each seasonal rotation. The Subcontractor shall furnish all labor, supervision,
supplies, tools, equipment and other means necessary or proper for performing and completing the
work, and shall obtain and pay for all required permits. The Subcontractor shall be responsible for
cleaning up the job site and shall repair or restore all structures and property that may be damaged or
disturbed during performance of the work to the satisfaction of the Chamber.
Following are staffing requirements for the plant installation and maintenance program:
Full-Time Landscape Designer or Horticulturist, experienced in commercial area landscape
installation and maintenance
Ability to meet and work with Chamber staff and business community representatives
In-house staff capable of planter placement, filling, planting, and maintenance, including off-
hours delivery and set-up and watering
Previous experience with commercial and municipal business district landscape maintenance
and design
Compliance with Applicable Laws Firm must comply with all applicable federal and state laws and city ordinances related to performing
these services as a subcontractor to the City of Chicago for a Special Service Area. Many relevant City of
Chicago requirements for subcontractors can be found in the Chamber’s 2017 Service Provider
Agreement, which can be downloaded at www.lakeviewchamber.com/ssa27. Firm must be licensed to
do business and be in good standing in Illinois.
RFP: Landscape Services for 2018-2019 6
Appendix 1: Organization Background
About the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce
The Lakeview Chamber of Commerce is organized so that the local business community shall prosper. All
necessary means of promotion shall be provided and particular emphasis shall be given to retail,
professional, educational and economic interests of the area.
About Special Service Area (SSA) 27
The Lakeview Chamber of Commerce is the service provider for Special Service Area (SSA) 27. The
mission of the SSA is to support a vibrant local economy and high quality of life for the benefit of
Lakeview businesses and residents by improving and enhancing public streets and spaces, creating
memorable experiences, encouraging spending locally and promoting the neighborhood. The three
Strategic Focus Areas of the SSA are as follows:
Diversity: Evolve current and design new SSA programs to be more inclusive of people from
different ethnicities, social backgrounds, and age groups.
Destination: Position and market Lakeview as an enticing destination for visitors and other
Chicago residents through programming that speaks to diverse groups.
Density: Advocate for density focused around neighborhood and transportation hubs and main
arteries.
Service Area
The Lakeview Chamber of Commerce service
area is from Diversey on the South, to Irving
Park Road on the North, and Ravenswood on
the West, to Racine on the East.
More Information
Learn more about the Lakeview Chamber and
SSA 27 at www.lakeviewchamber.com. You
may download a copy of our annual report and
view other relevant documents at
www.lakeviewchamber.com/ssa27
RFP: Landscape Services for 2018-2019 7
Appendix 2: Landscape Assets
Planter Pots – Located on sidewalks throughout service area
Hanging Baskets – Located on light poles throughout service area
RFP: Landscape Services for 2018-2019 8
Rectangular Planters – Southport Plaza (3410 N. Southport Ave.) and Paulina Plaza (3411 N. Paulina St.)
Bucket Planters – Southport Plaza (3410 N. Southport Ave.)
RFP: Landscape Services for 2018-2019 9
Planter Pots – Sheil Park (2505 N. Southport Ave.)
Small wooden planter – Lincoln Ave.
RFP: Landscape Services for 2018-2019 10
Shallow wooden planter – Southport Plaza (3410 N. Southport Ave.)
Triangular corner bed – Lincoln and Marshfield
RFP: Landscape Services for 2018-2019 11
Bulb out beds – Southport and Eddy
Plant bed and small trees – 3501 N. Lincoln Ave.
RFP: Landscape Services for 2018-2019 12
Plant bed and small trees – 1658 W. Belmont Ave. (located on Paulina side)
RFP: Landscape Services for 2018-2019 13
People Spot 1
RFP: Landscape Services for 2018-2019 14
People Spot 2