Summary Sheet- RFCA SUMMARY

CITY OF TEMPE
Meeting Date: 06/25/2026  
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Agenda Item: 7B6
ACTION: Award a two-year contract with three one-year renewal options to West Coast Arborists, Inc. 
for the purchase of palm pruning services.
FISCAL IMPACT: The total cost of the contract will not exceed $250,000. Sufficient funds have been 
appropriated in the General Fund, Cost Centers 3253 (Urban Forestry), 3814 (Right-of-Way), and 3141 
(Landscape Maintenance), for anticipated expenditures in the current fiscal year and future fiscal years, 
contingent upon City Council approval of the City’s annual budget.
RECOMMENDATION: Award the contract.
 
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:  (RFP 26-127) The City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to 
establish a contract for the purchase of palm pruning services. This contract will be utilized for scheduled 
and as-needed maintenance of approximately 1,700 palms located at rights-of-way, transits, multi-use 
pathways, parks, golf courses, and various City facilities. 
Evaluation Process
The RFP was published on April 27, 2026, to all registered firms for this commodity area. A total of 26 
firms downloaded the solicitation from the City’s e-procurement portal resulting in the submission of two 
proposals from the following firms:

West Coast Arborists, Inc. 

Epifini Landscaping Inc.  
The responses were reviewed and scored by a selection committee comprised of Community Services 
and Procurement staff in accordance with the evaluation criteria shown below.
 
Award Criteria
Weight
1
Pricing
30
2
Firm’s Qualifications/Expertise and References (public sector 
experience is a plus)
25
3
Key Personnel Experience, Expertise and Certifications (Registrar 
of Contractors) 
20
4
Methodology/Quality Control Plan/E-Mod
15
5
Completeness of Proposal/Acceptance of Terms and Conditions
5
6
Heat Safety Plan
5
Results of Scoring
The following table displays the scores for the proposals received:
West Coast 
Arborists
Epifini Landscaping

2
Award Criteria
Rating
Score
Weighted 
Score
Score
Weighted 
Score
Pricing
0-10
10.0
300.0
5.0
150.0
Firm's Qualifications/Expertise and References 
(public sector experience is a plus)
0-10
9.5
237.5
7.0
175.0
Key Personnel Experience, Expertise, and 
Certifications (Registrar of Contractors)
0-10
8.5
170.0
5.5
110.0
Methodology/Quality Control Plan/E-Mod
0-10
8.5
127.5
6.5
97.5
Completeness of Proposal/Acceptance of 
Terms and Conditions
0-10
5.0
25.0
5.0
25.0
Heat Safety Plan
0-10
10.0
50.0
10.0
50.0
Total Points
910.0
607.5
Total Roll Up 
Pricing*
$5,034.00
$10,861.0
0
*The roll up pricing is the sum total for all priced line items.  
The selection committee recommends the award of a two-year contract to West Coast Arborists, Inc., 
for the purchase of palm pruning services. This company scored the highest, offered the most 
competitive pricing, and has a strong record of performance on prior contracts.  
ATTACHMENTS: Vendor’s Offer Page
STAFF CONTACT(S): Craig Hayton, Community Services Director, (480) 350-5234
Department Director:  Laura Calder, Financial Services Director  
Legal review by:  Dave Park, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Prepared by:  Kendall Small, Procurement Officer