The Horticultural Society of New YorkIssuing agency·Manhattan·via the nyscr.ny.gov statewide procurement bulletinWe post new exterior maintenance opportunities in New York as agencies publish them. Get them in one email — free, and unsubscribe whenever.
THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW YORK
Request for Proposals (RFP)
Construction & Installation Services – East Harlem Tree Corridor Project
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.
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.
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)
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
Estimated Construction Budget: not to exceed $195,000
The Hort reserves the right to:
Award work in phases
Award to one or multiple contractors
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.
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
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
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.
Proposals will be evaluated based on:
Relevant experience
Technical approach
Cost competitiveness
Ability to meet schedule
MWBE participation
RFP Issued: August 4, 2026
Questions Due: August 12, 2026
Proposals Due: August 26, 2026
Award: mid/late September 2026
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
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%
Source: New York State Contract Reporter (CR# 2137829), retrieved via the nyscr.ny.gov statewide procurement bulletin. View the official posting , always confirm requirements and deadlines with the issuing agency.
