Construction & Installation Services East Harlem Tree Corridor Project

THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW YORK  Request for Proposals (RFP)  Construction & Installation Services – East Harlem Tree Corridor Project    1. RFP Overview  The Horticultural Society of New York (“The Hort”) invites qualified contractors to submit proposals to provide construction and installation services for the East Harlem Tree Corridor Project.  This project will transform East 116th Street and East 125th Street into green corridors through tree planting, tree pit reconstruction, and streetscape improvements. This project is funded through a NYS Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) grant and a component of the East Harlem DRI Strategic Investment Plan.    2. Project Background  The project includes:  Installation of new street trees  Remediation and expansion of existing tree pits  Installation of planters and related green infrastructure  Pruning and improvement of existing tree conditions    This project runs through October 2029. Work will be scheduled on a rolling basis between the date of the award and the completion of the project.  Work will be implemented in coordination with NYC Parks and NYC DOT.    3. Scope of Work – Construction & Installation  The selected contractor(s) shall provide all labor, equipment, and supervision required to perform:  A. Tree Pit Construction & Pavement Cutting  Saw cutting and removal of sidewalk/pavement to create new tree pits  Expansion of undersized pits to meet planting standards  Excavation and removal of unsuitable soils and materials  Preparation of subgrade for planting-ready conditions  B. Tree Pit Remediation  Removal of compacted soil, rubble, and obstructions  Excavation to required depths  Preparation of pits for future planting and soil installation  C. Stump Removal / Dead Tree Removal  Removal of dead or hazardous trees  Stump grinding and full removal below grade  Proper disposal of organic and construction waste  Coordination with NYC Parks requirements and approvals  D. Tree Guard Fabrication & Installation  Fabrication and installation of custom tree guards, including:   Ironwork and metal fabrication  Installation across varying pit sizes and conditions  Secure anchoring and alignment within existing sidewalks  Compliance with NYC Parks and NYC DOT standards  E. Site Work & Restoration  Temporary site protection and pedestrian safety controls  Backfilling, grading, and stabilization of work areas  Restoration of disturbed sidewalk edges adjacent to tree pits  Removal of all debris and cleanup  F. Coordination Responsibilities  Coordination with:   The Hort project team  Materials vendor (soil/planting materials)  NYC Parks and NYC DOT (as required)    4. Permits and Compliance  The contractor shall:  Perform work in accordance with all required permits  Coordinate with The Hort regarding permit status  Comply with NYC Parks and NYC DOT requirements  Support environmental review compliance where required    5. Budget  Estimated Construction Budget: not to exceed $195,000  The Hort reserves the right to:  Award work in phases  Award to one or multiple contractors    6. NYS Certified MWBE Requirements  The Hort and NYS encourage the participation by State-Certified Minority and Women owned Business Entities (MWBE) in the procurement of all goods and services.  This DRI funded project has a MWBE goal of 30% of the total DRI grant.  State-certified MWBEs are encouraged to submit responses to this RFP.  Further, when comprising your team, including suppliers, please consider State Certified MWBE vendors.  You can find out more about the State’s MWBE program and search the MWBE directory online at:   Minority & Women's Business Development | Empire State Development    Please note that MWBE vendors must have received State Certification prior to entering into a contract with the Hort to qualify towards the project’s 30% goal.  NYC certification cannot be substituted for NYS Certification. Vendors must support compliance and reporting requirements.    7. Procurement Requirements  This RFP is issued pursuant to a formal competitive procurement process  Contractor selection and subcontract(s) may require:   Department of State review  Procurement certification documentation  Contracts will include:  Defined scope of work  Deliverables and schedule  Payment tied to milestones and completion    8. Vendor Qualifications  Proposers must demonstrate:  Experience with urban streetscape or landscape construction  Experience working in NYC right-of-way conditions  Familiarity with:   Tree pit construction and expansion  Tree installation in urban environments  Ability to manage phased installation schedules    9. Proposal Requirements  Proposals must include:  A. Firm Information  Company profile  Relevant project experience  B. Technical Approach  Approach to excavation, installation, and site conditions  Strategy for working in constrained urban environments  C. Pricing  Unit pricing preferred (to allow phased work)  Clearly identify:   Labor  Equipment  Materials and Supplies  Subcontractor costs  D. Schedule  Proposed sequencing and installation approach  E. MWBE Participation  Certification (if applicable)  Utilization strategy  F. References  Proposers must provide references for at least two (2) projects of similar scope, size, complexity, and nature completed within the last 10 years. For each project, provide the following information:  Client/Organization Name  Project Location  Project Description, including scope of services provided  Contract/Budget Amount  Project Start and Completion Dates  Duration of the Project  Reference Contact Name and Title  Reference Contact Telephone Number  Reference Contact Email Address  The Hort reserves the right to contact any reference provided to verify the Proposer's experience, performance, and ability to successfully complete the services contemplated under this RFP.      10. Evaluation Criteria  Proposals will be evaluated based on:  Relevant experience  Technical approach  Cost competitiveness  Ability to meet schedule  MWBE participation    11. Timeline  RFP Issued: August 4, 2026  Questions Due: August 12, 2026  Proposals Due: August 26, 2026  Award: mid/late September 2026    12. General Conditions  The Hort reserves the right to:  Reject any or all proposals  Request clarifications  Negotiate scope and pricing  Award may be made to:  One contractor, or  Multiple contractors    13. Submission Instructions  Submit proposals electronically to:  The Horticultural Society of New York BidInfo@thehort.org  Subject line: “East Harlem RFP – Construction & Installation”    Minority / Women Business Enterprise contracting goals (MWBE) Total MWBE Goals: 30.00% This is a subcontract opportunity issued by The Horticultural Society of New York