1-Sludge Bid Documents.pdf

BOROUGH OF NORTHAMPTON

1401 LAUBACH AVENUE

NORTHAMPTON, PENNSYLVANIA

SPECIFICATIONS

FOR

TRANSPORTATION AND DISPOSAL

OF DEWATERED SEWAGE SLUDGE

BID OPENING MARCH 17, 2026

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

The Northampton Borough Council will be accepting sealed bids via the PennBid platform www.PennBid.net until 10:00 A.M., prevailing time on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at which time the bids will be opened for the:

Transportation and Disposal of Dewatered Sewage Sludge

The work includes the transport and disposal of dewatered sludge from the Borough of Northampton wastewater treatment plant located at 2 Lerchenmiller Drive, Northampton, Pennsylvania. Services shall begin on May 1, 2026 and continue for an initial term of 3-years, with up to two additional 1-year extensions at the Borough’s sole discretion.

All bid documents and solicitation details are available online through the PennBid platform www.PennBid.net. Only bids submitted online through PennBid by the date and time above will be considered and opened.

The right is reserved to waive any informality in the Bid, to reject any or all Bids, and to accept any Bid which is deemed most favorable to the Owner, at the time and under the circumstances stipulated. No Bidder may withdraw his bid within thirty (30) days after the date set for the opening of the bids.

Bidders are required to provide with their Proposal a Bid Bond in the sum of ten percent (10%) of the Proposal.

By order of the Northampton Borough

INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS

1. BID FORM - Bids are to be submitted electronically via the PennBid Program. The document entitled “Instructions for Submitting Electronic Bids” is included as part of this solicitation and provides instructions on what information needs to be submitted and how to submit.

2. BID GUARANTY - Each bid must be accompanied by a bid bond from a surety company licensed and authorized to do business in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which shall be in an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the Total Bid. The bid bond will be forfeited to the Borough of Northampton in the event the successful bidder fails to enter into a contract with the Borough in accordance with the proposal within twenty (20) days after the award of the contract.

3. PERMITS AND LICENSES - The successful bidder shall procure all permits and licenses, pay all charges and fees, and give all notices necessary and incident to the due and lawful prosecution of this work.

4. SURETY BOND - Within twenty (20) days of award of contract the successful bidder shall be required to furnish a Performance Bond for the use and protection of the Borough of Northampton in an amount of 100% of the total contract price, having as a surety thereon, one or more surety companies, legally authorized to do business in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania conditioned, for the full and faithful performance of the contract. With the bid, each bidder must submit a Consent of Surety executed by a surety company that is licensed as such and licensed to engage in such business in PA by the appropriate agency of the Commonwealth of PA. The Consent of Surety shall evidence that the surety agrees to furnish a Performance Bond equal to the total bid price conditioned upon the bidder faithfully performing his contract if the contract is awarded to the bidder. The Borough will not accept an Intent of Consent of Surety. The Borough will accept a Reducing Rider clause providing the original amount is for 100% of contract price.

5. OPENING OF BIDS - At the time fixed for the opening of bids, all bids will be electronically opened on PENNBID, allowing certain contents to be made public for the information of bidders and others properly interested.

6. AWARD OF CONTRACT - The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, complying with the Bid Notice, Instructions and Specifications provided the bid is reasonable and it is in the best interest of the Council to accept it. The Council, however, reserves the right to reject any and all bids without making explanations to anyone.

7. RETURN OF PROPOSAL SECURITY - The Borough will return all proposal securities except that of the lowest responsible bidder, promptly after the tabulation of bids. In no case will a proposal security be held longer than thirty (30) days without the bidder’s written consent.

8. CORPORATE RESOLUTION – The firm, corporation or individual name of the bidder must be signed or typed or typed in the space provided for the same on the proposal blank. In the case of a corporation, it must be signed by a corporate officer, the title of the officer signing must likewise be stated, the seal of the corporation must be duly affixed, and the corporate officer executing the document on behalf of the corporation attach thereto an attested copy of a resolution authorizing such office to execute and submit the bid on behalf of the corporation. In the case of a partnership, the signature of at least one of the partners must follow the firm name, together with an indication that the signature is that of a partner. In the event that the proposal is signed by someone other than a partner, authority to sign must be supported by a statement signed by all of the partners. In the case of any bid submitted by an individual, it must be signed by the individual and the designation individual proprietorship shall follow the signature in question. Any trade name used by a non-corporate bidder shall be so designated and shall be indicated as having been registered or registered under the Fictitious Names Registration Act.

DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS

FOR THE

TRANSPORTATION AND DISPOSAL OF DEWATERED SEWAGE SLUDGE

1. The Contractor shall provide the transportation and disposal of dewatered sewer sludge (i.e. “cake”), in an environmentally sound manner from the Borough’s belt press facility at their wastewater treatment plant. The plant is located at 2 Lerchenmiller Drive in Northampton Borough, Pennsylvania. The contract is for an initial 3-year period with up to two additional 1-year extensions at the Borough’s sole discretion.

2. The Borough intends to improve sludge removal capacity as part of a future plant upgrade. Because the completion date is uncertain, Years 4 and 5 include pricing for either existing conditions (10 cy dumpsters) or upgraded conditions (20 cy dumpsters).

3. Award will be based on the total price for Years 1 through 3 only. Years 4 and 5 are optional extension years and will not be included in the award determination. These option years may be exercised at the Borough’s sole discretion.

4. Currently, the plant utilizes a 10 cubic yard dumpster that is picked up approximately five to seven times per week for a total of 330 loads per year. Some days have a pickup in the morning and another in the afternoon.

5. Bidders shall base their proposals on the estimated annual total of 2,300 wet tons.

6. Estimated quantities are provided for bid comparison only and are not guaranteed. Payment will be based on actual quantities

7. Services to be provided as follows:

A. Each empty dumpster to be provided and fitted with a new plastic liner for each load.

B. Pick up of filled dumpster by 7:00 A.M. on the next business day following notification.

C. Filled dumpster to be serviceable without Borough labor or equipment, but subject to Borough supervision.

D. Filled dumpster to be replaced with clean and empty dumpster at time of pick up.

E. Dumpster must be compatible with existing Borough facilities.

F. Transportation of dumpster must comply with all state and federal regulations.

8. Contractor shall provide an alternate permitted disposal location at no additional cost if primary facility becomes temporarily or permanently unavailable during the contract period.

9. The treatment plant provides pathogen and vector attraction reduction through extended solids retention in the SBR process; however, the sludge is not treated or certified to meet the specific requirements for Class A or Class B biosolids under 40 CFR Part 503.

10. The waste generated is not characterized as hazardous waste as defined in 40 CFR, Section 261.10 to

261.24.

11. The waste generated is not known or suspected to contain radioactive isotopes.

12. Title to Sludge, Sludge Samples, Permits and Payment

Upon collection by the contractor, the sludge shall become the property of the contractor who shall indemnify and save harmless the Borough on account of any cause of action or claim by a third party brought against the Borough once the contractor collects the sludge.

13. A copy of the analytical report of the sludge sample is attached. The Borough will provide such analysis once per year in accordance with Pennsylvania DEP guidelines. Any additional analysis will be the responsibility of the successful bidder.

14. The successful bidder shall be responsible for submitting any required disposal permits.

15. The Borough will pay monthly for the previous month’s sludge removed within thirty (30) days after receipt of a proper invoice based on the bid unit price and the actual tons of sludge removed for disposal.

Bids shall incorporate all expenses in the unit prices indicated for hauling, plastic liners, and disposal;

additional charges for monthly service fees, etc., will not be accepted. Bid prices shall include any applicable Act 101 fees or similar fees, etc.

16. Insurance

Each bidder shall submit, with its bid, a Certificate of Insurance issued by an insurance company satisfactory to Borough evidencing the existence of the mandatory minimum coverages required by this section.

A. General Public Liability Insurance (non-automotive) for personal injury and damage to property shall not be less than $2,000,000 for each occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate.

B. Total automobile Liability Insurance including primary combined single limit coverage and excess auto liability coverage shall not be less than $1,000,000 for each occurrence and $1,000,000 aggregate. If the Certificate does not evidence the sufficiency of Automobile Liability Insurance, the bidder shall attach additional documentation evidencing the same.

C. Pollution Insurance shall not be less than $1,000,000 for each occurrence.

D. Excess Liability Insurance, applicable to General Public Liability Insurance, Automobile Liability

Insurance and Pollution Insurance, shall not be less than $5,000,000 for each occurrence and $5,000,000 aggregate (umbrella form). The bidder shall attach any additional documentation necessary to evidence the applicability of said Excess Liability Insurance.

E. Workmen’s Compensation coverage shall not be less than the statutory minimum and employer liability coverage shall not be less than $1,000,000 for each occurrence.

The aforesaid policies of insurance and others that may be necessary to comply herewith shall be maintained in the amounts set forth above and shall name the Borough as an additional insured and be designed to protect the Borough from any and all claims for damages of any kind or any nature whatsoever, including but not limited to wrongful death, which may arise from the obligation of the Contractor in the performance of his contract, whether such obligation be controlled by the Contractor himself or by someone either directly or indirectly employed by him for the purpose of accomplishing some obligation incumbent upon the Contractor by the terms of this contract. All insurance policies maintained hereunder shall be issued by an insurance carrier licensed and authorized to do business in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Each Certificate of Insurance shall require that notice by Certified or Registered Mail be given to Northampton Borough at least sixty (60) days prior to cancellation or material change in policies.

17. The Borough of Northampton requires that sewer sludge disposal meet all local, state and federal regulations. The bidder must submit copies of permits for any facility to be used in the performance of this contract including transfer stations and landfills. There must also be submitted a signed letter from the disposal, transfer and composting location(s) guaranteeing acceptance of the Borough’s sewer sludge over the contract period.

A. An Industrial Material Manifest shall be completed and submitted electronically for each load of sewer sludge removed.

18. Any bidder wishing to visit the wastewater treatment plant site prior to bidding should call Scott Gillespie at (610) 262-6131 for arrangements. Any questions on the bid specifications must be provided through PennBID.

19. Equal Opportunity Employment

The Contractor will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, age or national origin. The Contractor takes affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed without regard to their race, color, sex, age or national origin. Contractors will take steps to ensure employees are treated during employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, age or national origin. Such action shall include but not be limited to: employment, upgrading, demotion or transfer, recruitment or recruitment advertising layoff or termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation and selection for training including apprenticeship.

20. Strike

A strike by the Contractor’s work force shall not be grounds for the Contractor to terminate agreement.

The Contractor will still be required to complete his obligation under this agreement, even if it is affected by a strike, job action or other disruptive labor activity. However, the Borough of Northampton will not impose any penalty nor bring any action against the Contractor to perform the conditions of this contract for the first twenty-four (24) hours of any strike or job action should such strike or job action prevent the collection of solid waste by the Contractor during this one twenty-four (24) hour period. In the event a lack of job action extends beyond twenty-four (24) hours, the Borough will require reimbursement for alternate charges incurred. All other rights, remedies and options available to the Borough under this contract shall remain unaltered by this Section.

21. Anti-Trust Affidavit

Each bidder must complete, execute and deliver, at the time of the submission of its bid, an Anti-Trust Affidavit on the form included herein and made a part of this request for bids. The Anti-Trust Affidavit must be completed and executed by the owner, general partner or president of the bidding entity.

Failure to accurately complete this affidavit will render a bid ineligible to be accepted.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING ELECTRONIC BIDS

Using the PennBid electronic bid management system to respond to this Request-for-Quotation

Many Pennsylvania municipalities, Authorities, and private firms are utilizing the PennBid electronic procurement Program for their solicitations, RFPs, and RFQs. Using PennBid is beneficial to both the agencies as well as the bidders. Costs and bidding effort is greatly reduced as bid documents are available online, all Q&A’s are via email, and sealed bids can be submitted and updated online.

Interested bidders need to register only once, a free process that takes only a few minutes. Once registered, bidders have access to publically available bids and solicitations from every Agency within PennBid, plus are available for By-Invitation-Only RFPs and RFQs. Bidders can obtain all project documents and submit and update their confidential bids online.

Sealed Bid Confidentiality – The confidentiality of the sealed bid system is a cornerstone of the PennBid Program. At no time before Bid Opening can anyone see your electronic bid.

Confidentiality of Identity – When questions are asked and answered, bidder identity is not disclosed to other bidders.

1. Documents – Bidding Documents can be obtained at no cost on PennBid at https://pennbid.bonfirehub.com.

2. Being added to the “Bidders List” – By downloading any document, you are automatically added to the list of bidders for this solicitation.

3. Questions – by clicking on the “Messages” tab, you can see all questions that have been asked and answered related to this solicitation. You can also ask questions directly through the “Ask a Question” feature. When the agency answers the question, both the question and answer are available for review by all bidders. Responses to questions which require an addendum or changes to the Bidding Documents will be issued via a Public Notice and posted on PennBid. Bidders who have registered with and downloaded documents for this project from PennBid will be notified by email when a change or addenda has been posted.

4. Submitting and Updating Bids – Bids must be submitted electronically via PennBid at https://pennbid.bonfirehub.com. Proposals may be withdrawn, altered or otherwise modified within PennBid at any time prior to the due date and time.

What to submit with this bid

Enter financial bid

Answer questions (if applicable)

Attach electronic files or zipped folder containing the documents listed below:

o Bid Bond o Anti-trust Affidavit o Disposal Facility Information o Bidder’s Qualification Form o Copy of Bidder’s Federal or State Haulers License o Proper evidence of Experience, Qualifications and Financial Responsibility

Important Note 1 – Upon request only, bidders will need to submit the above documents in original form and signatures to the agency receiving the bids within 3 business days following bid opening.

Documents such as Non-Collusion Affidavits, Bidder Qualification Statement including the recent Financial Statement and the paper Bid Bond, etc. will be requested prior to award.

Verifying that your bid was submitted

If submitted properly, you will receive a confirmation receipt upon completion.

Withdrawing Your Bid

Proposals may be withdrawn, altered or otherwise modified within PennBid at any time prior to the due date and time.

Help Guides

Instructions for the PennBid system can be found at https://pennbid.net/vendor-training-documents/. For assistance contact PennBid at info@PennBid.net or by phone at 610-693-4769.

BID FORM

The Bid Form associated with this Contract may be found on the PennBid website https://pennbid.bonfirehub.com.

BID BOND

Accompanying this proposal is a bid bond in the amount of:

_______________________________________________________________________________Dollars Written

Figures as proposal security. (Amount should equal 10% of the total bid.)

The undersigned certifies that, insofar as the work covered by this proposal is concerned, he accepts the provisions of the Workmen’s Compensation Act of 1915 and the supplements and amendments hereto, and that he will insure his liability thereunder prior to signing a contract with the Borough for this work.

In submitting this bid it is understood that the unrestricted right is reserved by the Borough Council to reject any or all proposals, and to waive any technicalities required for the best interests of the Borough.

It is further understood that competency and responsibility of bidders will receive consideration before the award of the contract, and it is agreed that this bid may not be withdrawn for a period of thirty (30) days from the opening thereof.

The party making the foregoing proposal certifies that such proposal or bid is genuine and not collusive or sham; and said has not colluded, conspired, connived, or agreed, directly or indirectly, with any bidder or person, to put in a sham bid or to refrain from bidding, and has not in any manner, directly or indirectly, sought by agree mentor collusion, or communication or conference, with any person, to fix the bid price or affiant or of any other bidder, or to fix any overhead, profit or cost element of said bid price or that of any other bidder, or to secure any advantage against the Borough of Northampton, Pennsylvania, or any person interested in the proposed contract.

DATE:________________________ FIRM NAME:_________________________________

OFFICIAL ADDRESS:

___________________________________ By:_____________________________________

___________________________________ TITLE:_________________________________

TELEPHONE:___________________________

ANTI-TRUST AFFIDAVIT

I, ______________________________________________________ being duly sworn according to law depose and say that I am (owner, general partner or president) ________________________________ of (bidder’s name) _______________________________________. The entity making the foregoing bid and that neither (bidder’s name) _________________________________ nor any other corporation, parent corporation, subsidiary corporation, sister corporation, proprietorship, partnership, or other entity related to or associated or affiliated with the bidder:

(1) Has ever, as a Defendant in a criminal action, been found guilty of or plead guilty or no contest to any violation of the anti-trust laws of the United States, or;

(2) Has ever, as a Defendant in a civil action, been adjudicated in violation of any of the anti-trust laws of the United States, or;

(3) Has ever, as a Defendant in a civil action, had a verdict or judgment entered against it for any violation of the anti-trust laws of the United States, or;

(4) Has ever, as a Defendant in a civil anti-trust action, entered into a settlement agreement, Consent agreement or other similar agreement to settle or resolve the action, or;

(5) Has ever, as a Defendant in a criminal anti-trust action entered into a plea agreement, settlement agreement, consent agreement or other similar agreement to settle or resolve the action.

AFFIANT

Sworn to and subscribed before me this day of , 2026.

DISPOSAL FACILITY INFORMATION

FIRM NAME: ________________________________________

ADDRESS: ________________________________________

TELEPHONE: _______________________________________

PERMIT NO.: ________________________________________

BY: _______________________________________

TITLE: ___________________________________

TELEPHONE: _____________________________

BIDDER’S QUALIFICATION FORM

1. INTRODUCTION

A. This document must be included as part of the Bid submission. Failure to submit a fully completed and executed Bidder’s Qualification Form may be considered justification for rejection of the bid.

B. This Bidder’s Qualification Form is submitted with respect to the following project:

Contract For: The Borough of Northampton

Transportation and Disposal of Dewatered Sewage Sludge

2. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. Name of Bidder:

B. Address of Bidder:

C. Telephone No. of Bidder:

3. ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

A. Type of Organization:

Corporation Individual

Partnership Joint Venture

Other:

B. How long has your organization been in business

1) As a Contractor? years

2) As a Contractor engaged in construction work of the type proposed under this Contract:

years

3) Under your current business name? years

C. If the bidder is a corporation, complete this section:

1) Date & State of Incorporation:

2) Names & Titles of Officers:

D. If the Bidder is other than a corporation, describe the structure of your organization including date of initiation as a business and list the principals involved:

E. What portions of the work (i.e. trades work items, etc.) included in the proposed contract will be performed by subcontractors?

4. WORK HISTORY

A. Attach or list the following information on similar projects which your organization has completed in the past five (5) years. Name and type of project, owner, engineer, contract amount, date of completion.

B. Attach or list the following information on similar projects which your organization now has in progress. Name and type of project, owner, engineer, contract amount, date of completion.

C. Has your organization ever defaulted on or otherwise failed to complete any work under contract? If so, note the circumstances:

D. Has any officer, partner or principal of your organization ever been an officer, partner or principal of another organization which defaulted on or otherwise failed to complete any work under contract? If so, note the circumstances:

E. Provide the construction experience (length, type) of the principal individuals of your organization which would be assigned to perform the proposed work under this Contract:

5. REFERENCES

A. Bonding Company and Agent

B. Bank

C. Trade

6. FINANCIAL STATEMENT

A. Attach a copy of a recent financial statement as prepared by your auditor. If this information is confidential, the Contractor shall provide this information in paper format marked “Confidential”.

The financial statement can be provided after bids are electronically opened but must be provided prior to award.

7. CERTIFICATION

A. This Bidder Qualification Statement has been prepared on behalf of the following organization:

Name of Organization:

Name of Preparer:

Title of Preparer:

Date:

B. AFFIDAVIT

State of , County of

I, , being duly sworn, according to

(Name of Official) law, depose and say that I am the , (position) of the above organization, and that the responses provided in the Bidder Qualification Statement, including any attachments thereto are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Sworn and Subscribed

(Signature of Official) to before me this day of , 2026.

Notary Public

RECENT SLUDGE ANALYSIS

(Annual Form 43)