Project Information

Bid Title

RFP ? Urban Forester

Issuing Agency

Crossville city

Location

Tennessee

Published Date

Apr 30, 2026

Closing Date

May 19, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

RFP – Urban Forester

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CITY OF

CROSSVILLE

TENNESSEE

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

URBAN FORESTER

City of Crossville

ATTN: City Clerk / RFP – Urban Forester

392 North Main Street

Crossville, TN 38555

931-484-5113

The City of Crossville Reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.

Release Date: May 1st, 2026

Submittal Deadline: May 19th, 2026, 2:00 P.M. CST

CITY OF CROSSVILLE

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

URBAN FORESTER

INTRODUCTION

The City of Crossville (City) seeks proposals to for Urban Forester Services. The qualified urban

forester (Proposer) will perform a variety of services to preserve, protect, and enhance the City’s

diverse urban tree infrastructure.

A primary component of the services will be providing consulting expertise for municipal projects

aimed at maintaining the health of the local ecosystem. In addition, the urban forester may assist

in the review of development applications and collaborate with City staff and community groups

on programs and tree planting projects that promote a sustainable tree infrastructure.

THE CITY

The City of Crossville, Tennessee, is centrally located on the Cumberland Plateau between

Knoxville and Nashville. Known as the "Golf Capital of Tennessee," Crossville is a growing

community that balances its natural scenic beauty with a developing economic base.

CONTRACT TERM

The contract term will be for 2-years. Contract can be terminated upon 15 days written notice of

either party.

CONTRACT PAYMENT

Pay will be based upon available grant funding. The City was awarded a grant in an amount not to

exceed $150,000.00, which is to be used to fund this position and the scope of work over the course

of 2-years. The grant specifies that $139,000 can be used for professional services with $11,000

allocated for supplies necessary to complete the work. A detailed and verifiable invoice is required

at the time payments are requested. A schedule for invoicing will be illustrated in the final contract

for services.

COMPLIANCE & STANDARDS

The urban forester shall be aware of, and shall comply with:

• City of Crossville ordinances governing trees and maintenance services.

• ANSI A300 Tree Management Standards.

• ISA Best Management Practices.

• ANSI Z133 Tree Care Safety Standards.

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RFP Release Date:

Title:

Proposals Due:

Interviews:

Award of Contract:

Contract Period:

City Contact:

CITY OF CROSSVILLE

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

URBAN FORESTER

Key Dates and Information

May 1st, 2026

RFP – Urban Forester

May 19th, 2026, 2:00 P.M. CST

Week of May 27th, 2026

June 9th, 2026

July 2026 through June 2028

Baylee Rhea, City Clerk

931-456-5680, email: baylee.rhea@crossvilletn.gov

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CITY OF CROSSVILLE

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

URBAN FORESTER

SCOPE OF WORK

The City of Crossville is seeking a qualified Professional Urban Forester to execute a

comprehensive municipal forestry program over a two-year contract period. The Urban Forester

will primarily work with the Crossville Tree Board. The Urban Forester will provide technical

expertise and project supervision to enhance the City’s 2,000+ acres of parkland, 15 miles of trails,

and public rights-of-way through the following responsibilities:

• Technical Training and Capacity Building: The Urban Forester shall develop and

implement a training program for City employees focused on the full life cycle of

municipal tree maintenance. Instruction must prioritize "Right Tree, Right Place"

principles and proper pruning techniques that strictly prohibit "topping" in accordance with

Tennessee standards.

• Park Revitalization and Planting Supervision: The Urban Forester will serve as the

technical lead for the revitalization of Centennial Park, supervising the selection and

installation of trees from the City’s approved species list. This role ensures new plantings

are strategically placed to avoid infrastructure conflicts while providing maximum shade

and aesthetic value for park amenities.

• Comprehensive Tree Inventory and Data Management: At the direction of the Tree

Board, the Urban Forester shall conduct a City-wide survey of public and commercial lands

to identify species, condition, and necessary removals. The Urban Forester will also

establish a protocol to salvage removed timber with reuse value for local artisans or specific

municipal projects, such as airport terminal furniture.

• Ecosystem Restoration and Management (If feasible): The Urban Forester will manage

the systematic replacement of diseased and invasive trees with healthy, non-invasive

alternatives from the approved Tennessee species list. This effort is designed to restore

ecological balance and canopy health across the City’s developed parks and wildlands.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

To ensure the Urban Forester possesses the specialized knowledge required for Tennessee

municipal management and grant eligibility, the following criteria must be met:

• Education: Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry from an SAF (Society of

American Foresters) accredited forestry program/curriculum.

• Regional Expertise: Demonstrated experience in the management of Tennessee-native

tree species and common regional pests, with a commitment to pruning standards that

strictly prohibit "topping."

• Municipal Experience: Proven track record in conducting tree inventories, reviewing site

plans for ordinance compliance, and providing technical training for municipal staff.

• Grant & Board Coordination: Familiarity with Tennessee Division of Forestry grant

requirements and experience serving as a technical advisor to a municipal Tree Board or

similar body.

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CITY OF CROSSVILLE

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

URBAN FORESTER

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• Sealed Proposals: Each proposal must be submitted in a SEPARATE SEALED

ENVELOPE. The outside of the envelope must be clearly typed or noted with the

PROJECT NAME (RFP - URBAN FORESTER), the OPENING DATE, and the TIME.

• No Electronic Submissions: All submissions must be physical, sealed documents as

indicated in this packet. No electronic (email or fax) submissions will be accepted.

• Non-Restrictive Specifications: The specifications in this Request for Proposal (RFP) are

intended to be open and non-restrictive. References to specific standards or certifications

(e.g., ISA, ANSI) are to establish minimum levels of quality and expertise and do not

preclude the City’s consideration of comparable qualifications.

The City of Crossville Reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.

OFFICIAL SUBMISSION

Proposers are responsible for reading all information provided and complying with all

requirements identified herein. It is the (Proposer’s) responsibility to ensure the RFP response is

delivered to the City of Crossville by the identified deadline.

SUBMISSION FORMAT

All proposals must be submitted in the following format. While completeness is important, clarity

and conciseness are essential and will be considered when evaluating the Urban Forester’s

capability. All submissions will be screened by a staff selection committee, which may invite top-

scoring respondents to a formal presentation. Presentations may be required for the City Manager

and Council. The committee reserves the right to make a final decision based solely on the written

proposal without an interview.

• Quantity: Proposer must submit 2 copies of the proposal and 1 digital copy on a flash

drive. The proposal must not exceed 12 pages.

• Cover Letter: The letter must be signed by an official authorized to bind the Urban

Forester or firm to a contract. It shall include the name, title, address, and telephone number

of the individual with authority to contractually negotiate for the entity.

• Table of Contents: The table of contents shall include the identification of all materials by

section and page number.

• Project Overview: This section shall convey the Urban Forester’s understanding of the

nature of the work and the general approach to be taken. It must include a discussion of the

purpose of the project, the organization of the project effort, and a summary of the expected

outcomes for the City's urban canopy.

• Summary of Qualifications: Provide a description of previous projects that significantly

relate to the qualifications for this project.

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