2026-27 Preventive Forest Maintenance Tree Pruning

Background

The City of Cincinnati, Ohio, through its Cincinnati Park Board: Division of Natural Resources (CPB-DNR), is issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) for expert tree care contractors to perform preventative tree pruning maintenance on publicly owned trees in various neighborhoods including Hyde Park, Evanston, East Walnut Hills, College Hill, Mt. Airy, and Northside. The goal is to ensure the health and safety of urban trees while maintaining public rights-of-way.

Work Details

The contractor will provide all labor, supervision, equipment, services, and expertise necessary for preventative tree pruning maintenance on individual street trees or other publicly owned trees designated by CPB-DNR. This includes: 1) Pruning large trees (>8" DBH) with specific techniques such as crown cleaning and dead wooding; crown thinning; and crown raising/clearance to maintain clearances over streets (14 feet) and sidewalks (8 feet). 2) Pruning young trees (<8" DBH) to develop a strong scaffold structure while ensuring adequate clearance. 3) Compliance with ANSI A300 Pruning Standards and other relevant safety regulations. 4) Removal of foreign objects from trees during pruning. 5) Cleanup of work sites within two hours after completion. 6) Coordination with CPB-DNR for scheduling and communication regarding work locations.

Period of Performance

The contract will commence upon execution and is expected to be completed within 150 working days, excluding inclement weather and storm damage cleanup. The initial contract term is for 12 months with an optional renewal period of 6 months.

Place of Performance

Work will be performed in the neighborhoods of Hyde Park, Evanston, East Walnut Hills, College Hill, Mt. Airy, and Northside in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Bidder Requirements

Contractors must derive the majority of their annual income from arboricultural work and have employees trained in all phases of tree care services. They must comply with local ordinances and possess necessary licenses and insurance. Additionally, contractors are required to submit a notarized statement confirming their income source along with a Certificate of Insurance covering liability as specified.