RFP Certified Arborist

Village of North Chevy Chase                       

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OCTOBER 3, 2025

Certified Arborist Services

The Village of North Chevy Chase is seeking the services of a certified arborist to support the municipality in maintaining the health of approximately 270 canopy and understory trees in the municipal right-of-way as well as restoring the Village’s overall tree canopy to advance the critical ecosystem services provided by trees, consistent with the values and benefits outlined in the Village’s Tree City USA Proclamation.  The contract would be for two years with three, one-year renewal options.  The arborist would serve as an independent contractor to the Village, and not as an employee.

The Village of North Chevy Chase is an incorporated municipality in Montgomery County serving 211 single-dwelling households within a .11 sq. mile area, adjacent to the Connecticut Avenue entrance to the Capital Beltway (I-495).  In addition to maintaining Village trees through a range of tree care vendors, the municipality also provides an annual native tree planting service for Village residents whereby a tree is planted in the Village right-of-way and maintained by the municipality and/or residents request a tree planting on their property and agree to maintain it.

The Village utilizes ArborPro software to document and map its trees and is in the process of archiving their maintenance history and inserting their proper locations on various properties. Attached is a 2021 inventory of the Village trees.

Scope of Work

The selected arborist will be responsible for the following tasks:

1. Support tree inventory and condition assessment
• Update the identification of all trees in the Village right-of-way, including species, general health, and GIS coordinates.
• Evaluate trees for structural integrity, signs of disease, pest infestations, and other maintenance needs.
• Assist in updating and maintaining the Village’s tree database with accurate species identification and condition data.
• Advise on tagging Village trees to ensure clear identification as Village tree and implement tagging in accordance with Village decision.
• Determine a timeline for updating tree sizes within the Village tree database and implement, as needed.
• Support time-sensitive requests for assessment of tree conditions, as needed (i.e. after a storm).
2. Support competitive bid for Village tree care vendor
• Work with the Village Manager to prepare bid documents for a multi-year contract with a tree care and removal provider, informed by the initial assessment of Village tree conditions.
• Support the Village in determining optimal procedures for responding to emergency tree services.
• Serve on the technical committee for review of vendor proposals and provide a recommendation of award to the Village.
3. Direct Village’s tree maintenance operations

• Provide detailed maintenance recommendations for individual trees on a semi-annual basis, including pruning, removal, treatment for pests or disease, or other necessary interventions, to be submitted to the Village Council and Village’s tree care vendor.

• Prioritize work based on urgency and potential risk to public safety or infrastructure, including interference with overhead lights.
• Review and assess the quality and completeness of tree maintenance work performed by vendor(s) to ensure compliance with specifications and industry standards.
• Assist in guiding and evaluating tree pruning and removal operations conducted by utility companies within the Village, as needed.
1. Recommend native tree replacements
• Recommend appropriate native tree species for replacement of declining or hazardous trees and help to develop an approved tree species list.
• Identify gaps in Village tree canopy where new plantings would provide significant community benefits.
• Provide guidance on optimal planting locations and long-term care to promote sustainability and canopy health.
• Oversee selection and planting of new trees.
2. Develop and oversee tree protection plans
• Per Village Ordinance Chapter 5, Section 5-204, provide advice on tree protection plans related to construction/infrastructure repair projects that could pose a potential risk to any canopy tree on the property in question (Village or private), or pose a potential risk to any other tree, regardless of size or species, on an adjoining property or in the Village right-of-way.
• Monitor compliance with tree protection plans during project implementation.
• Evaluate private property tree removal applications and determine reasonable reforestation requirements, as appropriate.

6. Help educate residents on Village tree canopy restoration efforts
   • Attend monthly meetings of the Village Council to discuss ongoing tree planting and maintenance operations, when requested.

• Provide educational information to the Village community on tree care maintenance, as needed.

Qualifications

• ISA Certified Arborist (required)
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience with municipal or public tree inventories and management
• Demonstrated knowledge of Maryland-native tree species and urban forestry best practices
• Commitment to safety of residents through regular tree maintenance as well as restoration of urban tree canopy
• Ability to work independently and communicate clearly with municipal officials

Proposal Requirements

Interested arborists should submit:

• A cover letter summarizing qualifications and interest
• Resume and copy of ISA certification
• A sample of previous similar work (e.g., tree inventory report or maintenance plan)
• Fee schedule or proposed pricing structure
• Contact information for at least two professional references

• Copy of certificate of liability insurance
• Affidavits on Non-Collusion and Non-Conviction (attached hereto)

The successful proposer will be required to execute a written contract in a form approved by the Village.

The successful proposer must be an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants for employment with the proposer must receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.