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— Multifamily Properties Quarterly — May 2016
W
hether you are regional, dis-
trict or property specific, it
is your responsibility to find
the best service partners
possible.With landscaping
being one of the largest visual items
within the budget, searching for the
right landscape partner becomes
essential.
When moving forward in a quest to
find a landscape service partner, have
all your specifications ready within
your request for proposal. Below are
key tips to prepare when meeting
your potential landscape services
partner.
Have a property map.
One of the most
important aspects of getting a pre-
cise bid is providing your landscape
contractor with a property map that
encompasses the areas included with-
in the scope of service.
If your property does not currently
have a service map, create one. Online
maps can be created through websites
such as Google Earth.Take the map
and highlight the areas to make sure
the contractor has the correct bound-
ary lines.The more details you provide,
the more the landscape contractor can
hone in on the scope.
Impact areas.
Once a labeled map is
clearly defined, begin noting areas of
impact, higher detail or trouble areas.
These areas can be monument signs,
model walk paths and annual flower-
beds. Having these areas defined lets
the landscape contractor understand
that these specific areas will require
more detailed work throughout the
season.
Outline services.
Putting together a
clear outline of specifications can be
one of the most challenging aspects of
an RFP. Deciding howmany times to
have your property
mowed, edged, fer-
tilized and aerated
needs to be deter-
mined prior an RFP
going out.
The determining
facts for your speci-
fications can vary
on your organiza-
tion’s specific goals
for appearance.
Mowing heights can
vary between 2.5
to 3 inches every
seven to 10 days for
Colorado turf grass. Mowing heights
less than 2 inches reduces the grasses
ability to tolerate heat and drought
situations and increases the ability for
diseases, insects and weeds.
Also, consider howmany frequencies
for steel-blade edging you are looking
for through the contract period. Con-
cerning fertilization, underfertilization
can lead to unhealthy turf and over-
fertilization contributes to the buildup
of thatch and can increase mowing
frequencies. Aerating frequencies can
range from once to twice a season,
depending on the traffic of the turf,
health and thatch buildup.
When creating specific frequencies
for an RFP, remember every property
has different needs. Landscape RFPs
should not be considered one-size-
fits-all.The goal of an RFP is to create
an equal bidding opportunity, not to
create to unneeded services for one
property or missed services for anoth-
er property. However, creating a base
template for gathering bids is essential.
The table shares examples of standard
services for RFP purposes to help com-
pare apples to apples.
Additional services.
Throughout the
season, your landscaping may need
additional services outside the main-
tenance service scope. Services can
range from insect and disease control,
irrigation repairs, additional fertiliza-
tion, spring flowers, native mowing or
property enhancements.These servic-
es are considered upgrades or add-ons
outside the service scope of work.
Work with your contractor to ensure
these services are something that
is within their capabilities. Create a
specification for the particular request
and gather a proposal for the service
requested before you enter into an
agreement. Once you have a clear
specification and proposal, this allows
you to move forward or search for dif-
ferent options. Just because you have
one contractor performing services
in one area on your property does
not automatically mean they have
the ability to perform all functionality
throughout your property.
The most important factor in your
search for a contract is making sure
you have a clear, precise set of service
specifications. Have maps, outlined
services and additional services ready
and discuss with your candidates what
you are looking for in a service provid-
er. Keep necessities within your scope
of services and leave the fluff out.
s
Nicole Stone
Business
development,
METCO Landscape,
Aurora
Maintenance
RFP SPECIFICATIONS
OPENING WEEKEND
presenting sponsor
colorado symphony proudly supported by
Opening Weekend:
Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2
SEPT 16-17
FRI-SAT 7:30
Andrew Litton, conductor
Jon Kimura Parker, piano
BRAHMS
Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 83
STRAUSS
Also sprach Zarathustra,
Op. 30
Andrew Litton conducts the inaugural Masterworks concert of the 2016/17 season!
These performances mark the triumphant return to Boettcher Concert Hall of pianist Jon
Kimura Parker who has been friends with Maestro Litton since their days at the Juilliard
School. Litton takes the audience through a pair of big and bold works, starting with
Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2. This notable concerto is a perfect match for the skills of
Parker, who has played for Queen Elizabeth as well as with a who’s who of rockers and
jazzers. Next on the program is Strauss’
Also sprach Zarathustra
, perhaps best known for
its use of the opening measures in Stanley Kubrick’s sci- masterpiece,
2001: A Space
Odyssey
. Strauss’ mighty tone poem takes listeners on a musical journey both poignant
and philosophical.
Examples of standard services for request for proposal purposes
