University of Missouri

June 26, 2020
Contact: Liz McCune, 573-882-6212, mccunee@missouri.edu

The University of Missouri today announced it will not be outsourcing landscape services after a thorough review of proposals submitted by outside vendors. The review committee determined there were no cost savings submitted in any of the bids to justify outsourcing the services.

The university spends approximately $1.2 million annually on landscaping services, which employs about 30 staff. Qualified bids were submitted by eight local and national landscape companies.

“During this unprecedented budget crisis, expenses at every level will be reassessed,” UM System President and Interim MU Chancellor Mun Choi said. “We are duty-bound as responsible stewards of taxpayer and tuition money to evaluate all expenses to ensure we can continue to advance the academic mission of this university.”

“Current budgetary circumstances require the university to make tougher financial decisions than ever before,” Vice Chancellor of Operations Gary Ward said. “At this time, it’s in the best financial interest of the university to maintain current operations for landscape services.”

A second request for proposals for custodial services was also issued by the university earlier this summer. A determination on those services has not yet been made.