Posting Language
Title
Authorize a contract for vegetation management around street lighting for Austin Energy with Wright Tree Service, Inc. for an initial term of three years with up to three one-year extension options in an amount not to exceed $9,000,000. Funding: $650,000 is available in the Operating Budget of Austin Energy. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets.
Body
Lead Department
Austin Financial Services.
Client Department(s)
Austin Energy.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $650,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Operating Budget of Austin Energy.
Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets.
Procurement Language:
Austin Financial Services issued a Request for Proposals solicitation RFP 1100 LLM3001 for these goods and services. The solicitation was published on August 25, 2025, and closed on September 23, 2025. Of the four offers received, the proposal submitted by the recommended contractor represented best value to the City based on the solicitation’s evaluation criteria. A complete solicitation package, including a log of offers 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=142510.
MBE/WBE:
This contract will be awarded in compliance with the City Code Chapter 2-9B (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program). For the service required for this solicitation, there were no subcontracting opportunities; therefore, no subcontracting goals were established.
For More Information:
Direct questions regarding this Recommendation for Council Action to the Austin Financial Services - Central Procurement at FSDCentralProcurementRCAs@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2500. Respondents to the solicitation and their Agents should direct all questions to the Authorized Contact Person identified in the solicitation.
Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action:
March 9, 2026 - Recommended by the Electric Utility Commission on an 11-0 vote.
Additional Backup Information:
The contract will provide vegetation management around street lighting and wires supplying power to street lighting. Services will support the vegetation management program across multiple operational areas, including capital improvement projects, distribution maintenance on circuit, grid, or substation facilities; individual customer requests; after-hours and storm restoration events; and ongoing vegetation suppression.
The current contract expires April 23, 2026. The recommended contractor is the current provider of these services.
An evaluation team with expertise in this area evaluated the offers and scored Wright Tree Service, Inc. as the best to provide these services based on program, staffing capabilities, experience and qualifications, and price.
This request allows for the development of a contract with a qualified offeror selected by Council. If the City is unsuccessful in negotiating a satisfactory contract with the selected offeror, negotiations will cease with that provider. Staff will return to Council so that another qualified offeror may be selected, authorizing new contract negotiations.
If a contract is not approved, tree trimming around these assets may be delayed, leading to potential damaged equipment and reduced effectiveness of street lighting.
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Contract Details: |
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Contract Term |
Length of Term |
Contract Authorization |
|
Initial Term |
3 years |
$4,500,000 |
|
Optional Extension 1 |
1 year |
$1,500,000 |
|
Optional Extension 2 |
1 year |
$1,500,000 |
|
Optional Extension 3 |
1 year |
$1,500,000 |
|
Total |
6 years |
$9,000,000 |
Note: Contract Authorization amounts are based on the City’s estimated annual usage.