By Coral Gables Gazette staff

Bids are now in for a City of Coral Gables contract that will determine how peafowl, chickens, and roosters are removed from public spaces—a long-running quality-of-life issue that has stirred debate across neighborhoods for years.

The bid window, which seeks a vendor to provide humane nuisance pest removal and relocation services, closed Dec. 23. City officials are now reviewing submissions to identify the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, as required under the invitation-for-bids process.

The contract will govern how non-native birds—including peafowl and feral chickens—are captured, transported, and relocated from public rights-of-way and City-owned property, with an emphasis on animal welfare and public safety.

A policy decision enters its execution phase

The procurement implements authority granted by the City Commission, which affirms the city’s ability to intervene in response to the growing presence of peafowl and chickens within city limits. The resolution cites property damage, noise disturbances, traffic disruptions, parasite transmission, and environmental impacts tied to non-native species.

With bids now submitted, the issue shifts from policy debate to execution. The selected contractor will be responsible for carrying out removals in a manner that is non-lethal, humane, and minimally disruptive to residents.

What the contract covers

Under the bid specifications, the contractor must perform hand-capture only, ensuring that animals are not harmed during removal. Captured birds must be safely transported and relocated to appropriate destinations such as animal rescues, farms, or wildlife sanctuaries.

The scope of work also includes:

• Site assessment and inspection
• Sanitation of affected areas to reduce disease risk
• Follow-up monitoring
• Written reporting documenting the number of animals removed and the steps taken to relocate them

Initial removals are expected to take one to three days, with follow-up visits within one to two weeks, depending on conditions.

How bids will be evaluated

Because the solicitation was issued as an Invitation for Bids, the City must award the contract based on price, not subjective scoring. The winning bidder must meet all qualification requirements and submit pricing on all required line items through the City’s electronic procurement system.

Price escalations are prohibited, and the City is not obligated to purchase a minimum quantity of services. The City also retains the right to reject all bids if doing so serves the public interest.

A Cone of Silence remains in effect until the City Commission approves an award.

What happens next

City staff will review bid submissions for responsiveness and responsibility before making a recommendation. Once a proposed award is ready, the contract will return to the City Commission for approval at a future meeting.

At that point, bid totals, vendor identities, and contract terms will become public, offering residents a clearer view of how the City intends to manage a problem that has reshaped daily life in some neighborhoods.