NIGP 96220: Cesspool Cleaning and Maintenance

NIGP 96220 Cesspool Cleaning and Maintenance, an Item code, encompasses the removal, disposal, and treatment of sewage sludge and waste from anaerobic digesters and related confined-space tank systems at municipal wastewater treatment facilities. State and local governments solicit this work primarily through sealed-bid ITB notices issued by wastewater districts and municipal sewerage authorities that operate treatment plants and digestion infrastructure. The work involves specialized labor and equipment for sludge extraction, interior tank surface cleaning, debris removal, waste disposal in compliance with EPA and RCRA standards, and adherence to OSHA confined-space protocols. Contractors typically must demonstrate a minimum of three years of active experience in digester cleaning or equivalent confined-space work and carry substantial insurance coverage, including general liability, workers' compensation, and business automobile liability.

Recent procurement activity centers on the Upper Midwest. The Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District in Wisconsin issued a sealed bid for the 2026 Digester Cleaning Project (MMSD2026DIGESTERCLEANINGPROJECT), due March 4, 2026, involving removal of approximately 180 dry tons of anaerobically digested sludge from three digesters at the Nine Springs Wastewater Treatment Facility, with work completion required by October 30, 2026, and liquidated damages of $500 per day for delays. Prequalification was mandatory, with applications due by February 25, 2026. A second recent opportunity—though dated outside the current procurement cycle—shows similar activity geography. The issuing-body mix reflects specialized infrastructure ownership: municipal wastewater treatment districts and city public works departments with in-house treatment plants are the primary solicitors. Geographic activity appears concentrated in regions with established municipal wastewater infrastructure, particularly the Upper Midwest, though the source does not support characterization of activity breadth beyond the Wisconsin example.