Answer: 1) First and foremost, develop tight specifications (or have an expert develop them for you) that clearly define the services you want provided. By services we mean, frequency of cut, height of cut, fertilization, irrigation management, aeration, topdressing, overseeding provision of equipment, and other ancillary tasks that must be performed such as field set up – take down, stadium cleaning etc.

2) You should define the credentials of the company providing the service, such as; who will be on site; their qualifications; how reputable the company is; is a Certified Sports Field Managers on staff; do they currently provide athletic field management services for other districts (universities or parks). Is training provided to their employees and is it documented? Will the employees be in uniform; are background checks conducted? What alliances have been formed with other grounds organizations such as suppliers or equipment manufactures? Can they perform other services for your district that would help offset the cost of just fieldwork?

3) Qualify the equipment. How new is it? Will it provide quality service and not track or leak onto your fields?

4) Is the price fair? Compare apples to apples. This is why specifications are so important. All contractors must line item cost to demonstrate that they understand what it is you are requesting and will hold them accountable to.