REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL:
Landscape Maintenance Services
Right-of-Way
The City of South San Francisco
Thursday, May 28, 2026
05/28/2026
Joshua Richardson, Parks Manager
South San Francisco Corporation Yard
550 North Canal Street
South San Francisco, CA 94080
RE: RFP for Landscape Maintenance Services – Right-of-Ways Dear Mr. Richardson and City of South San Francisco:
Thank you for the opportunity to submit our proposal for Landscape Maintenance Services – Right-ofWays for the City of South San Francisco. Gothic Landscape Maintenance Division is pleased to provide specialized landscape maintenance services for the City’s Right-of-Ways areas, including medians, islands, rights-of-way, and HOA landscape areas identified within the RFP.
Gothic Landscape Maintenance Division provides comprehensive landscape maintenance services supported by experienced horticultural supervision, water management expertise, sustainable maintenance practices, and responsive client service.
In accordance with the RFP requirements, we acknowledge the following:
• Gothic Landscape Maintenance Division agrees to enter into the City of South San Francisco Landscaping Services Agreement included as Attachment C and will adhere to all scope of work requirements identified in the RFP documents.
• We have reviewed and understand all RFP documents, including Attachments A through D and all issued addenda.
• This proposal shall remain valid for ninety (90) calendar days from the date of proposal submission.
• Gothic Landscape Maintenance Division is properly licensed to perform the work described in this RFP.
Gothic Landscape Maintenance Division
160 Demeter Ave
East Palo Alto, CA 94303
Primary Contact:
Ryan Ferrara
Strategic Growth Manager
408.332.3545
[email protected]
We appreciate your consideration and welcome the opportunity to partner with the City of South San Francisco on this project. If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact us at any time.
Sincerely,
Ryan Ferrara
Strategic Growth Manager
Gothic Landscape Maintenance Division
COMPANY OVERVIEW
Founded in 1984, Gothic Landscape has remained a proud, family-owned and operated company from day one. The name “Gothic” originates from Gothic Avenue in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley, where the Georgio family launched the business. Over the past 40+ years, Gothic has grown into the largest privately held landscape company in the nation, serving clients across California, Arizona, and Nevada with full-service capabilities. Today, our extended family includes more than 2,500 dedicated landscape professionals, united by a shared commitment to quality, safety, innovation, and environmental responsibility.
Name: Gothic Landscape
Address: 2520 Pulgas Ave. East Palo Alto Phone Number: 661-678-1400 Website: www.gothiclandscape.com CA Contractors License-C27-873902 Federal Tax ID- 56-239932 A Team of Experts Committed to You
2500+
Employees
95%
Client Retention
18 yrs
Avg. Mgmt. Tenure
9.63/10
Client Satisfaction
Herticultural Services Water Management Sustainable Programs Arbor Care Environmental Restoration Construction & Install Design & Life cycle Management
ATTACHMENT D
RECENT LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE SERVICE CONTRACT WITHIN THE LAST THREE (3) YEARS Company Name
and Address
Contact Person and Phone
Number
Type of Work and Square
Footage
Contract
Amount
Hudson Pacific
Michelle Mariona
Senior Director, Operations
[email protected]
Commercial Class A
5.2 million sq ft
$834k+
Gateway of
Pacific
BioMed
Monique Adley
Director, Operations
[email protected]
Commercial Class A
2.2 million sq ft
$300K+
CSUMB
Campus
Tammy Marquez
Facilities Management
[email protected]
Campus
Institutional/Various
Locations
61.1 million sq ft
$430k+
Labor Force Allocation and Service Delivery Plan
Gothic Landscape has developed a dedicated staffing and service delivery program specifically for the City of South San Francisco's Right-of-Way Landscape Maintenance Services contract. Our proposed workforce allocation is designed to meet or exceed all maintenance frequencies, quality standards, irrigation requirements, litter removal schedules, weed abatement requirements, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) obligations identified in Attachment A and Attachment B.
To provide consistent service across all medians, islands, parkways, and right-of-way landscape areas, Gothic Landscape will assign a dedicated team consisting of:
This labor allocation provides sufficient staffing capacity to perform all routine landscape maintenance activities while maintaining flexibility to address seasonal growth patterns, irrigation needs, weed abatement activities, emergency response requirements, and quality control inspections.
Service Delivery Approach
The assigned maintenance crews will perform all landscape maintenance activities in accordance with the frequencies and standards established in Attachment B. Services include mowing, edging, litter removal, shrub and groundcover maintenance, irrigation inspections, weed control, hardscape weed management, debris removal, and right-of-way weed abatement.
Service Requirement Frequency Gothic Landscape Delivery Method Turf Mowing Weekly during active growing
season and as needed
thereafter
Scheduled route-based mowing program utilizing
commercial mowing equipment
Turf Edging &
Trimming
Concurrent with each mowing
cycle
Mechanical edging and detailed trimming around
hardscape, utilities, and landscape features
Litter & Debris
Removal
Per Attachment A frequencies Dedicated route inspections and cleanup of trash, debris, leaves, and landscape waste
Irrigation Inspection Weekly Certified Irrigation Technician inspections, sprinkler adjustments, repairs, and water
management monitoring
Shrub & Groundcover
Maintenance
As needed Horticultural pruning, clearance maintenance, sight-line management, and debris removal
Weed Control Ongoing Mechanical and chemical control utilizing Citycompliant IPM practices Herbicide
Applications
Minimum twice annually and as
required
Performed by a Qualified Applicator Certificate
(QAC) holder in accordance with City standards
Right-of-Way Weed
Abatement
Minimum three times annually
and as directed
Mechanical weed abatement utilizing approved
equipment and traffic control procedures
Irrigation and Water Management
Gothic Landscape recognizes the City's emphasis on water conservation and irrigation stewardship. Our Certified Irrigation Technician will conduct weekly inspections of irrigation systems to identify broken heads, coverage deficiencies, leaks, and operational issues. Minor irrigation repairs, nozzle replacements, riser adjustments, and sprinkler head maintenance will be performed as part of routine maintenance services. Irrigation deficiencies, vandalism, or larger system failures will be documented and reported promptly to the Parks Manager in accordance with contract requirements.
Integrated Pest Management and Sustainability
Gothic Landscape will implement a comprehensive Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that emphasizes cultural, mechanical, biological, and reduced-risk chemical controls. All pesticide and herbicide applications will be performed by properly licensed personnel. Monthly chemical use reports, SDS documentation, and application records will be provided in accordance with City requirements.
To support the City's sustainability goals, Gothic Landscape utilizes battery-powered landscape equipment where operationally feasible to reduce fuel consumption, noise, and emissions while maintaining productivity and service quality.
Quality Assurance and Contract Oversight
The First Line Supervisor will conduct regular field inspections to verify compliance with all service frequencies and performance standards. In addition, Gothic Landscape's management team will perform periodic quality assurance audits to ensure all work meets contract specifications and City expectations.
Detailed work schedules, inspection reports, irrigation records, and maintenance documentation will be maintained throughout the contract term to ensure accountability and responsiveness. Any deficiencies identified by City staff will be corrected immediately and within the contract-required response timeframe.
Supplemental Resources
In addition to the dedicated maintenance team, Gothic Landscape provides access to specialized support divisions including Water Management, Arbor Care, Safety, Quality Control, Fleet Services, Construction, and Seasonal Enhancement Teams. These resources can be deployed as needed to support seasonal workload demands, emergency response situations, large-scale weed abatement efforts, irrigation audits, and landscape enhancement projects without impacting routine maintenance operations.
Through dedicated staffing, proactive supervision, rigorous quality control, sustainable maintenance practices, and the support of specialized service divisions, Gothic Landscape is confident that our proposed labor allocation and service delivery plan will consistently meet or exceed the City of South San Francisco's Right-of-Way Landscape Maintenance Service requirements.
CONTRACT LABOR SUMMARY
Pursuant to the specifications, the following Labor Summary must be completed for the Contract Areas, showing the number of full-time positions provided by the Proposer to perform services for the areas. Additionally, the City will evaluate the proposals to ensure that a satisfactory number of positions have been provided for by the Proposer to achieve a high level of landscape maintenance in these areas. This Labor Summary and the selection criteria for award of contract will be used by the City to select the most responsible Proposer.
Designate the number of full time employees that have been included in the proposal for all Contract Areas. Designate the number of personnel employed on the job for 40 hours per week or the number of hours proposed per week for each category below:
Proposer’s Proposed Manpower
Number of
Personnel
Hours
Per Week
1. First Line Supervisor of Landscaping Workers 1 40
2. Landscape and Groundskeeping Workers 5 200
3. Irrigation Technician 1 24
4. Pesticide Applicator 1 16
Total full-time positions proposed: 8 280
IDENTIFICATION OF SUBCONTRACTORS
Not less than fifty percent (50%) of the contract work shall be done by the prime contractor.
Further, the Contractor shall not, without the consent of the City of South San Francisco, either:
(a) Substitute any person or subcontractors in place of the subcontractors designated on his original proposal.
(b) Permit any subcontract to be assigned or transferred or allow it to be performed by anyone other than the original subcontractor listed in the proposal.
Should the Consultant violate any of the provisions of this Identification of Subcontractors form, it shall be deemed a violation of this Agreement, and the City of South San Francisco may cancel the Agreement.
Portion of Work
Subcontractor
Name & License
Number
Location and Place of
Business % of Work
Pest Control
(Supplemental)
Smith's Pest
Management
License # 8261
San Jose, CA 2%
ORGANIZATION & APPROACH
The Gothic Landscape team for the City of So. SF will be supported by Marlene Barneveld, Regional Manager and led by JJ Hubert, Market Manager. Marlene is a seasoned landscape professional with a degree in horticulture from the Massey University, New Zealand. She has 30+ years of experience in landscape management services with a strong emphasis on organic and sustainable environments.
Marlene is a certified Bay-Friendly Landscape Maintenance Professional, Certified Bay-Friendly Landscape Designer, Certificated Sustainable Landscaping professional. She will be responsible for directing our on-site maintenance crews and support staff to adhere to the City’s landscape maintenance needs and standards.
Marlene will provide project direction and support the landscape operations through her maintenance team & support service teams who consist of the following key service personnel:
Landscape Maintenance Team
• Branch Manager (Weekly)
• Production Team (Weekly)
• Account Manager/On-site Supervisor (Daily)
• Irrigation / Water Manager (Seasonal/On Demand)
• Safety Officer (2x month)
Support Staff
• Tree Care Crews-
• Arborist
• Construction Crews
• Water Management
• Quality Control
• Technical Advisor
• Design Specialist
Landscape Management AND NOT JUST “MAINTENANCE”
Our strategy is to provide an integrated and collaborative approach. Our Account Manager will communicate constantly with the production crews and infrastructure support teams to ensure both efficiency and quality control. It is always our goal to be proactive as opposed to reactive in bringing issues to your attention before you have to bring them to ours. Our overall Landscape Management program also includes the following:
• Daily updating of “problem” report
• Weekly property reports
• Monthly comprehensive written report for inclusion in Board of Director packets • Attendance at required Board of Director meetings (when necessary) • Attendance on all site walks with management, at your direction Safety Program
At Gothic Landscape, safety is not simply a program, it is a core value embedded in our culture and daily operations. Our commitment is to ensure every employee returns home safely each day while maintaining safe, attractive, and accessible public spaces for residents, visitors, and City staff.
Gothic Landscape maintains a comprehensive Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) and operates in full compliance with Cal/OSHA requirements and industry best practices. Safety performance is reinforced through active leadership involvement, continuous employee training, routine inspections, and proactive hazard mitigation.
Our safety program includes:
• Weekly crew safety meetings conducted in the
field.
• Weekly companywide safety calls held every
Monday to review safety performance, industry
trends, and risk management initiatives.
• Tailgate safety training covering topics such as
heat illness prevention, trip hazards, driver and
cyclist awareness, water safety, bee and
insect hazards, equipment operation, and
seasonal risks.
• New employee safety orientation and job-specific training. • Site-specific hazard assessments and safety checklists. • Routine scorecard-based crew safety inspections.
• Ongoing review and improvement of safety procedures and field practices.
Public and Community Safety
The City of South San Francisco's landscape assets are located within active public environments that require constant attention to public safety. Gothic Landscape takes a proactive approach to identifying, correcting, and reporting potential hazards before they become liabilities.
Our field personnel routinely inspect for:
• Sidewalk and pathway trip hazards.
• Vegetation encroachment into pedestrian walkways.
• Sightline obstructions at intersections, roadways, and traffic control devices. • Irrigation-related hazards and water accumulation.
• Unsafe site conditions caused by weather, vandalism, or unforeseen events.
Through ongoing training, routine inspections, employee engagement, and management oversight, we foster a culture where safety awareness becomes second nature. This commitment protects our employees, safeguards the public, preserves City assets, and supports the delivery of exceptional landscape maintenance services.
Sustainable Landscape Management
Gothic Landscape’s sustainability approach aligns with the City of South San Francisco’s commitment to environmental responsibility. We manage landscapes as living systems—balancing plant health, water use, and long-term resilience while supporting the overall function and quality of the property.
Operational Alignment
Our programs support core priorities:
• Operational efficiency — reduced inputs with consistent quality • Asset performance — protecting plant material and infrastructure • Environmental responsibility — lower emissions, reduced water use, improved ecological health Sustainable Practices in Execution
Daily operations are driven by practical, site-based decisions:
• Water-conscious management through climate-responsive irrigation • Soil-first horticulture to support plant health and longevity • Climate-appropriate plant management to reduce stress and replacement • Bioswale stewardship to maintain function and compliance • Low-impact operations minimizing noise, emissions, and disruption Accountability Through Performance
Gothic Landscape’s sustainability practices are independently assessed through EcoVadis, a global standard that evaluates companies across environmental impact, labor and human rights, ethics, and responsible procurement.
Gothic was awarded a Bronze Medal based on how we operate as a business—measuring real performance, not stated intent.
To our knowledge, Gothic is the only landscape maintenance firm in North America to achieve this level of independent sustainability recognition.
This distinction reflects a level of accountability and operational alignment that goes beyond the landscape—directly supporting SSF’s expectations for measurable, ESG-driven performance.
Industry Certifications
ReScape Landscape Maintenance Professional
ReScape Landscape Designer
ReScape Qualified Professional (RQP) - Landscape
Maintenance
ReScape - Compost and Mulch Best Practices
Certified Landscape Manager – Exterior
ISA Certified Arborist
ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified
Accredited Green Roof Professional (GRP), Green Roofs for Healthy Cities ReScape Qualified Professional – Landscape Maintenance Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) Certification California Native Plant Certified Landscaper
ReScape Green Stormwater Infrastructure Bioretention Maintenance Sustainable Horticulture Certification
Sustainable Landscape Design
LEED Certified
Qualified Applicators License (QAL)
Qualified Applicators Certification (QAC)
Water Management Certifications
Certified Irrigation Contractor (CIC)
Certified Irrigation Technician (CIT)
Certified Irrigation Designer (CID)
Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor (CLIA)
EPA WaterSense Partner
Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) Certification Certified Backflow Assembly General Tester
Certified Cross-Connection Control Specialist
Certified Water Conservation Manager – Landscape
Certified Agriculture Irrigation Specialists
Approach/Mindset
JJ Hubert
Market Manager
Jovana Grujic
Account Manager
Quarterly Service Strike
Team
Strike Team Foreman
Strike Team Gardener #1
Gothic Landscape
Account Manager
Production Specialist
Ground Maintenance
Crew Leader
Grounds Maintenance
Team
Irrigation/Water
Management Team
Irrigation Technician(s)
Support Services
• Administrative
• AR/AP
• Procurement
• Fleet
• Safety
• Construction
• Large Tree Care
Approach
• Transparency/ collaboration
• Flexibility/ Adaptability
• Specialty Teams/ Cross Divisions
Outcomes
• Landscape Performance/ Sustainability
• Landscape Resiliency & longevity
• Asset Preservation & Risk Mitigation
• Achieve a balanced program-E.A.EEconomic, Aesthetic & Ecological Key Staff
Name & Title Summary Qualifications
Nada Duna
Chief Operating
Officer
Nada brings over 35 years of industry
experience with a strong foundation in
horticulture, pest control, and environmental
sustainability. She leads with deep technical
knowledge and a strategic focus on operational
excellence.
• Master of Science, Pathology & Entomology
• Bachelor of Science, Horticulture, American University of Beirut • Certificate in Ornamental Horticulture, Cal Poly SLO
• Pest Control Advisor since 1989 • Member of USGBC & Joint Venture Silicon Valley Water Conservation
• 35+ years of industry experience
Marlene
Barneveld
Regional
Manager, NorCal
Marlene is a seasoned landscape professional
with more than 30 years in the industry,
specializing in sustainable landscaping and
horticultural management across Northern
California.
• Bachelor of Science, Horticulture, Massey University, New Zealand • ReScape Landscape Maintenance Professional
• ReScape Landscape Designer
• Certificate in Sustainable Landscaping, Sonoma State University • Qualified Applicator License, CA Dept. of Pesticide Regulation • 30+ years of industry experience
JJ Hubert
Market Manager
JJ combines strong academic grounding in plant
sciences with practical expertise in water
management and landscape operations for
large-scale commercial portfolios.
• Bachelor of Science, Agriculture & Environmental Plant Sciences, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo • Certified Reclaimed Water Site Supervisor
• Member of IA & NALP
• PLANET-Certified Landscape Manager – Exterior
• Qualified Applicator License, CA Dept. of Pesticide Regulation • 15+ years of industry experience
Jovana Grujic
Account
Manager
Jovana combines technical expertise in plant
health and pest management with a customerfocused approach to landscape management.
Her strong educational background and
industry experience help clients maintain
healthy, sustainable, and high-performing
landscapes.
• Master of Science, Phytomedicine, University of Belgrade • Bachelor of Science, Agricultural Engineering, University of Belgrade • Qualified Applicator License, California Department of Pesticide Regulation • Landscape Maintenance Pest Control (Category B), California Department of Pesticide Regulation
• Agricultural Pest Control (Category D), California Department of Pesticide Regulation • 5+ years industry experience
Eleazar Cruz
Production
specialist
Eleazar is an experienced landscape
professional with a strong background in field
operations, equipment management, and
California native horticulture. His hands-on
expertise and commitment to safety help
ensure the successful delivery of high-quality
landscape services.
• 10 Years of Landscape experience
• Certified CPR
• Certified landscape equipment operator
• Strong CA native horticulture background
Victor Cruz
Water Manager,
NorCal
Victor brings a strong blend of technical
education and field experience, focusing on
irrigation efficiency, water management, and
construction technology.
• Bachelor of Science, Information Technology, University of Phoenix • Associate of Science, Construction Management & Technology, San Jose City College • Certified Irrigation Technician • Certified Irrigation Auditor • Certified Irrigation Contractor • Irrigation Association Member • WaterSense Partner, EPA
• 25+ years of industry experience
Tony Fargnoli
Regional
Construction
Manager
Tony is an accomplished construction manager
and arborist with three decades of leadership
in landscape construction, design, and
sustainability practices.
• Bachelor of Science, Ornamental Horticulture, The Ohio State University • ReScape Certified Landscape Designer
• WaterSense Certified – Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper • ISA Certified Arborist
• 30+ years of industry experience
Ronny Avevalo
Safety Directo
Ronny is a seasoned safety leader with more
than 25 years of experience in occupational
safety, risk management, and workers’
compensation administration. His leadership
focuses on regional safety oversight, claims
management, regulatory compliance, and
employee well-being.
• U.S. Navy Veteran
• 25+ years of safety industry experience
• Safety professional since 1998
• Joined Gothic Landscape in 2006
• Completed numerous OSHA certification programs
• California Workers Compensation Claims Administrator Program • Currently pursuing California Workers Compensation Claims Professional designation • Oversees regional safety teams and company-wide safety initiatives Contract Agreement
If Gothic Landscape is selected and award the landscape contract, we will execute agreement (attachment E) with no changes or addendums. We agree to comply with all terms, scopes and insurance and bonding requirements necessary to execute this agreement between Gothic Ground Management Inc. and the City of South San Francisco.