Project Information

Bid Title

Request for Proposals: Golf Course Equipment

Issuing Agency

City of Watertown

Location

South Dakota

Published Date

Dec 14, 2025

Closing Date

Dec 30, 2025

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Ref. #

2025-0023

Original Source

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Project Description

Bid Number:	2025-0023
Bid Title:	Request for Proposals: Golf Course Equipment
Category:	City of Watertown Bid Postings
Status:	Open
Bid Recipient:	City Finance Office

Description: NOTICE Request for Proposals The City of Watertown, South Dakota is requesting Competitive Sealed Proposals from qualified golf course equipment manufacturers and dealers for the lease/purchase of new golf course turf maintenance equipment, including one (1) additional rough mower, and consideration of trade-in equipment as identified in the Request for Proposals (RFP). Specifications, proposal requirements, and trade-in equipment listings are available in the full RFP document. For additional information, contact the Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department at 605-882-6260. Vendors may submit proposals to: City of Watertown – City Hall c/o Finance Office 20 North Maple Watertown, SD 57201 Submittals are due no later than December 30 th , 2025 at 2:00 p.m. CDT. Dated this 13 th day of December, 2025. Kristen Bobzien Finance Officer, City of Watertown Publication Date/Time: 12/13/2025 12:00 AM Publication Information: Watertown Public Opinion Closing Date/Time: 12/30/2025 2:00 PM Submittal Information: Sealed Proposals Business Hours: M-F 8:00 - 5:00 PM Related Documents: Golf Equipment lease_RFP

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REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SEALED PROPOSALS

Golf Course Equipment – 5-Year Lease/Purchase

City of Watertown, South Dakota

RFP No. 2025-0023

Issue Date: December 13th, 2025

Proposal Due Date: December 30th, 2025 at 2:00 PM CDT

Location for Receipt of Proposals:

Watertown City Hall

20 North Maple

c/o Finance Office

Watertown, SD. 57201

1. Introduction & Purpose

The City of Watertown, South Dakota (“City”), is soliciting Competitive Sealed Proposals

from qualified equipment manufacturers and authorized dealers for the five-year

lease/purchase of new golf course turf maintenance equipment. The purpose of this

procurement is to replace aging equipment while leveraging trade-in value from existing

units and acquiring one (1) additional rough mower.

This procurement will follow SDCL 5-18D Competitive Sealed Proposal requirements.

2. Scope of Equipment to Be Provided

Proposers shall offer a complete package of new golf course equipment comparable in size,

capability, and application to the trade-in units listed in Section 3, plus one (1) additional

rough mower unit.

All proposed equipment shall include:

 Minimum 3-year manufacturer warranty (parts & labor)

 Delivery to Cattail Crossing Golf Course, Watertown, SD

 Operator training at delivery

 All service, parts, electrical, and hydraulic manuals (digital acceptable)

 Full specifications sheets

 Recommended maintenance schedule

3. Trade-In Equipment Inventory

Year

Equipment Description

Hours

2014

Toro Greensmaster 3150 2620 hrs

2017

Toro Greensmaster 3150 2030 hrs

2018

Toro Greensmaster 3150 2200 hrs

2004

Toro Greensmaster 3100 3910 hrs

2012

Toro Reelmaster 5210

5600 hrs

2016

Toro Reelmaster 3555

3800 hrs

2021

Toro Reelmaster 3555

1650 hrs

2018

Toro Groundsmaster 4700 4500 hrs

2011

Toro Multi Pro 1200

Sprayer

1500 hrs

2007

John Deere ProGator 2020A 1800 hrs

2014

Dakota 410 Spinner Top

Dresser

2008

Deere 4x2 TX Gator

2850 hrs

2009

Toro Workman 3200

Vehicle

2825 hrs

2010

Toro Workman HDX Vehicle 2900 hrs

2014

Toro Workman HDX Vehicle 2000 hrs

4. Lease/Purchase Requirements

 Fixed interest rate for 5 years

 Amortization schedule

 Annual or semi-annual payments

 No prepayment penalties

 $1 buyout preferred

 Non-appropriation compliant per SD law

5. Delivery Requirements

All equipment shall be delivered no later than June 1, 2026.

Delivery shall include training, manuals, and pre-delivery inspection.

6. Proposal Submission Instructions

Submit one sealed proposal marked: “SEALED PROPOSAL – GOLF COURSE EQUIPMENT

LEASE/PURCHASE – RFP No. 2025-0023

 Cover letter

 Completed proposal forms

 Specification sheets

 Trade-in values

 Warranty statements

 Finance terms

 Delivery schedule

 Company qualifications

 References

7. Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation Category

Weight

Equipment Quality

35%

Trade-In Value

20%

Lease/Purchase Cost

20%

Warranty & Support

15%

Delivery & Completeness

10%

8. Contract Award & Execution

The selected proposer will enter into a contract following City Council approval.

9. General Conditions

 Proposal prices must remain firm for 90 days.

 The City is exempt from federal and state taxes.

 All submissions become public record per SDCL 1-27, except confidential financial data.

APPENDIX A – Written Determination for Use of Competitive Sealed

Proposals

City of Watertown, South Dakota

Pursuant to SDCL 5-18-6

Project: Golf Course Equipment – 5-Year Lease/Purchase

Department: Parks, Recreation & Forestry – Cattail Crossing Golf Course

Date: December 13, 2025

In accordance with SDCL 5-18-6, the City of Watertown hereby determines that the use of

competitive sealed bids is not practicable and not advantageous for this procurement, and

that competitive sealed proposals are the appropriate method of source selection for the

following reasons:

1. The procurement involves both equipment and financing, requiring evaluation of

multiple complex factors.

This solicitation seeks proposals for new golf course equipment as well as a 5-year

lease/purchase financing structure. These elements require evaluation of interest rates,

payment schedules, amortization terms, and non-appropriation compliance—factors that

cannot be effectively evaluated using a simple low-bid methodology.

2. A best-value assessment is required, not a low-bid award.

Award selection must consider equipment performance, warranty coverage, trade-in

values, service support, delivery timing, and dealer qualifications. These qualitative factors

vary significantly and require comparative scoring under SDCL 5-18-6.

3. Trade-in valuation requires negotiation and comparative scoring.

The City is offering a substantial list of used equipment for trade-in. Trade-in values vary

widely between manufacturers and require a holistic evaluation of total value rather than

lowest price alone.

4. Manufacturer-specific equipment packages must be compared holistically.

Manufacturers offer differing equipment platforms, technologies, and configurations. The

City must evaluate total value and operational fit, not just lowest base price.

5. Competitive sealed proposals allow negotiation and clarification.

SDCL 5-18-6 permits discussions, clarifications, and best-and-final offers. These steps are

necessary for evaluating complex equipment and financing packages.

Conclusion

The City of Watertown determines that the use of competitive sealed bids is not practicable

and not advantageous for this procurement. Competitive sealed proposals are authorized

and appropriate under SDCL 5-18-6.

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