Item 08 - Grounds Maintenance and Mowing Services — original pdf

Backup

Item 8 Water & Wastewater Commission: January 14, 2026 Council: January 22, 2026 Posting Language ..Title Recommend approval to authorize five contracts for grounds maintenance and mowing services at Austin Water remote sites for Austin Water with Anthony Onalaja d/b/a Raider power lawn care LLC d/b/a Raider power commercial services, Fanar 1 Enterprise LLC d/b/a Fanar 1 Enterprise, Grass Works Lawn Care LLC d/b/a Ferris Mycue, Green Dream Lawns, and Incircle Management Inc. d/b/a Incircle Management for an initial term of two years with up to three one-year extension options in an amount not to exceed $1,800,000. Funding: $240,000 is available in the operating budget of Austin Water. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. ..Body Lead Department Austin Financial Services. Client Department(s) Austin Water. Fiscal Note Funding in the amount of $240,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Operating Budget of Austin Water. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. MBE/WBE: Note: This solicitation was reviewed for subcontracting opportunities in accordance with City Code Chapter 2-9B (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program). For the services required for this solicitation, there were no subcontracting opportunities; therefore, no subcontracting goals were established. However, two of the recommended contractors identified subcontracting opportunities. Prior Council Action: Austin Financial Services issued an Invitation for Bids (IFB) 2200 MAS1001REBID for these services. The solicitation was published on September 22, 2025, and closed on October 21, 2025. Of the 16 offers received, the bids submitted by the recommended contractors were the lowest responsive bids received. A complete solicitation package, including a tabulation of the bids received, is available for viewing on the City’s website, . This information can currently be found at https://financeonline.austintexas.gov/afo/account_services/solicitation/solicitation_details.cfm?sid=143048 . Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: January 14, 2026 - To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: These contracts will be used by Austin Water to provide routine mowing and grounds maintenance services at approximately 370 pump stations, lift stations, remote sites, and wildland locations. These sites, most of which are small, secluded, and secured, require mowing, trimming/edging, debris and trash removal, hedge and tree pruning, and security fence clearing to maintain safe access and ensure compliance with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regulations. Additionally, the terrain often requires more robust equipment for maintenance. In contrast, landscaping for City building sites requires a broader range of aesthetic and landscape-driven services tailored to public-facing facilities.  Item 8 Water & Wastewater Commission: January 14, 2026 Council: January 22, 2026 Due to these significant differences in mission, risk, regulatory requirements, and environmental standards, it is operationally appropriate and strategically necessary to separate the remote utility sites from the Citywide landscape maintenance contract. This structural realignment ensures each set of sites receives the correct level of service, environmental protection, and oversight required for optimal performance and compliance. Emissions reduction guidelines were included in the solicitation, which included the use of alternative fuels instead of gasoline in the large engine lawn equipment. Carbon emissions will be reduced by approximately 20-40% when compared to gasoline emissions. These contracts are replacing previous contracts expiring February 6, 2026. Requested authorization is based on historical spending and departmental estimates of future needs. If these contracts are not secured, the sites will fall out of TCEQ regulatory compliance, leading to violations or potential fines, while unchecked or overgrown vegetation will create safety hazards, diminish the professional appearance of service center locations, and negatively affect the City’s public image. Contract Term Length of Term Contract Authorization Initial Term Optional Extension 1 Optional Extension 2 Optional Extension 3 Total 2 years 1 year 1 year 1 year 5 years $720,000 $360,000 $360,000 $360,000 $1,800,000 Note: Contract Authorization amounts are based on the City’s estimated annual usage.