8663-RFQ- TOWING SERVICES for Code Compliance.doc

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

Goods and Services

Code Compliance – Vehicle Towing Services (Nuisance Abatement) Purchase Requisition Number 10008663 Issued By

Department of Housing & Neighborhood Sustainability – Division of Code Compliance Date Issued Friday, October 02, 2026

Response Submission Date and Time

Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 1:30 PM EST

Bids will be read at 2:00 PM EST Submit online through PlanetBids: https://pbsystem.planetbids.com/portal/22576/portal-home

SCOPE AND SPECIFICATIONS

The City of Toledo, Division of Code Compliance, is seeking qualifications from qualified towing and removal contractors to provide vehicle towing, removal, storage, and disposal services in support of nuisance abatement activities.

Services will be performed on an as-needed basis when directed by the City of Toledo Division of Code Compliance. The selected contractor or contractors shall furnish all labor, equipment, materials, supervision, transportation, storage, disposal, and documentation necessary to complete assigned work.

The City may select one or more qualified contractors. Work may be assigned based on availability, capability, response time, type of removal, location, or negotiated pricing for the specific job.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this RFQ is to establish a qualified list of contractors capable of assisting the City with removal of nuisance, abandoned, junk, inoperable, unlicensed, or improperly stored vehicles and other related items from private property, vacant property, commercial property, alleys, public rights-of-way when authorized, or other locations as directed by the City.

This work supports nuisance abatement, code enforcement, neighborhood stabilization, and public health and safety efforts.

SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED

Contractors must be capable of providing towing, removal, storage, and disposal services for vehicles and related items, including but not limited to:

1. Passenger vehicles

2. Cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs

3. Motorcycles

4. Inoperable vehicles

5. Junk vehicles

6. Abandoned vehicles

7. Unlicensed vehicles

8. Vehicles parked on grass or unapproved surfaces

9. Vehicles on vacant properties

10. Vehicles associated with nuisance abatement cases

11. Utility trailers

12. Enclosed trailers

13. Campers

14. Recreational vehicles/RVs

15. Boats on trailers

16. Boats located directly on the ground

17. Dumpsters or containers

18. Unusual, oversized, or non-standard items as directed by the City

SPECIAL TOWING AND REMOVAL CONDITIONS

Contractors must be able to remove vehicles or items that may be:

1. Missing wheels

2. Locked or inaccessible

3. Wrecked or severely damaged

4. Fire-damaged

5. Dismantled

6. Located behind structures

7. Located in alleys or tight spaces

8. Located on grass, yards, vacant lots, or non-drivable surfaces

9. Blocked by debris or other site conditions

10. Unable to be driven or rolled without special equipment

Contractors shall provide winching, dolly service, flatbed service, specialty equipment, or other removal methods as necessary.

For unusual removals, the City may request a site visit, photographs, or written estimate before authorizing the work.

STORAGE

Contractors shall provide a secure storage facility for vehicles or items removed under this contract when storage is required.

The contractor shall be responsible for maintaining custody and control of stored vehicles or items after removal and shall maintain records of the storage location, date of removal, and disposition.

DISPOSAL, AUCTION, OR SALVAGE

Contractors shall be responsible for lawful disposal, auction, salvage, or other disposition of unclaimed vehicles or items, as applicable.

All disposal, auction, salvage, title processing, or disposition shall comply with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.

LEGAL COMPLIANCE

Contractors shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations, including but not limited to:

1. Toledo Municipal Code Chapter 1726, Nuisance Abatement

2. Toledo Municipal Code Chapter 765, Towing Services, as applicable

3. Ohio Revised Code Sections 4513.61 through 4513.63, relating to abandoned vehicles, storage, notice, and disposition, as applicable

4. Any other applicable Ohio Revised Code provisions governing towing, storage, title processing, abandoned vehicles, or disposal

The City of Toledo shall be responsible for issuing required enforcement notices to property owners, vehicle owners, lienholders, or other parties when such notice is required as part of the City’s nuisance abatement or code enforcement process.

The contractor shall cooperate with the City by providing timely and accurate documentation necessary for the City to complete notice, enforcement, cost recovery, or legal processes.

The contractor shall not independently issue enforcement notices on behalf of the City unless specifically directed in writing.

DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS

For each tow or removal, the contractor shall provide documentation to the City, including:

1. Date and time of tow or removal

2. Address or location of removal

3. Description of vehicle or item removed

4. Make, model, color, and license plate, if applicable

5. VIN, if available

6. Photographs, when available or requested

7. Name of contractor staff completing removal

8. Storage location, if applicable

9. Itemized invoice or estimate

10. Disposition record, when applicable

Documentation shall be provided within 24 hours of removal unless otherwise approved by the City.

RESPONSE TIME

Contractors should be capable of meeting the following response expectations:

1. Emergency or priority tow: within 30 minutes when available and authorized

2. Urgent tow: same day when available

3. Routine tow/removal: within two business days

4. Scheduled sweeps or special projects: as scheduled with the City

5. The ability to schedule towing and removal services in advance when necessary. Scheduled removals may be coordinated for specific dates and times based on enforcement actions, court orders, nuisance abatement activities, or operational planning. Contractors shall make reasonable efforts to accommodate scheduled work and confirm availability in advance.

The City reserves the right to contact another qualified contractor if the assigned contractor is unavailable or unable to respond within the needed timeframe.

PRICING

Vendors shall submit a proposed pricing schedule for the following services. Pricing shall be used for comparison, planning, and negotiation purposes.

Final pricing may be negotiated on a per-job basis depending on site conditions, accessibility, complexity, equipment required, and the type of vehicle or item to be removed.

Pricing Structure

All work performed under this RFQ may be subject to a negotiated price per job.

The City reserves the right to:

1. Request a written estimate before authorizing work

2. Negotiate pricing for specific assignments

3. Assign work based on price, availability, capability, and response time

4. Use multiple contractors

5. Decline any proposed price that is not in the City’s best interest

Payment Responsibility

The City may pay contractors directly for authorized work and may seek cost recovery from the responsible property owner, vehicle owner, or other responsible party where permitted by law.

Contractors shall not independently bill property owners, vehicle owners, tenants, or other parties unless specifically authorized in writing by the City.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Contractors must meet the following minimum qualifications:

1. Maintain all licenses required to operate a towing or removal business in Ohio

2. Maintain any required City of Toledo towing license, where applicable

3. Maintain $1,000,000 insurance coverage and name the City of Toledo as an additional insured

4. Maintain a secure storage facility or have access to lawful secured storage

5. Demonstrate experience with towing, removal, storage, and disposal services

6. Demonstrate ability to handle non-consensual or government-directed removals

7. Possess equipment necessary to complete standard and non-standard removals

8. Maintain staff capable of responding to City-directed assignments

9. Maintain records sufficient to support enforcement, billing, and cost recovery

10. Comply with all applicable safety requirements

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The contractor shall:

1. Perform all work in a safe and professional manner

2. Be responsible for damage caused by contractor operations

3. Coordinate directly with Code Compliance staff

4. Follow City instructions regarding timing, location, access, and documentation

5. Maintain communication with City staff during active assignments

6. Provide invoices in a format acceptable to the City

7. Comply with all applicable laws and regulations

8. Maintain required insurance throughout the contract period

9. Notify the City of any change in licensing, insurance, ownership, storage location, or operational capacity

10. Participate in meetings or coordination calls when requested by the City

CONTRACTOR SELECTION

The City may select one or more contractors based on qualifications, capability, pricing, and operational needs.

Selection may consider:

1. Experience with municipal towing or nuisance abatement work

2. Ability to perform standard and complex removals

3. Available equipment

4. Response time

5. Storage capability

6. Documentation and reporting ability

7. Compliance history

8. Proposed pricing

9. Past work or experience with the City of Toledo

10. Local preference, if applicable

The City reserves the right to award to one or multiple vendors.

WORK ASSIGNMENT

Work may be assigned by the City based on:

1. Contractor availability

2. Type of vehicle or item to be removed

3. Location of the work

4. Complexity of removal

5. Response time needed

6. Negotiated price

7. Contractor performance history

The City does not guarantee a minimum amount of work under this RFQ.

LOCAL PREFERENCE

The description of and procedure to apply local preference to responsive bids received by the City of Toledo can be found under Toledo Municipal Code Section 187.34.

The Toledo Municipal Code can be found by searching the City of Toledo webpage at toledo.oh.gov and clicking the “Government” link, then clicking the “City Code” link.

QUESTIONS

All questions regarding the plans and specifications must be submitted in writing through the PlanetBids website Q&A tab. The City’s responses will be posted through PlanetBids.

BID SUBMISSION

Bids for this project will be accepted via e-bid through the City of Toledo’s PlanetBids portal.

Bid submittals or other transmissions of information have not been completed until an email confirmation of the transmission has been issued by PlanetBids.

Bid prices shall be to two decimal places, for example $0.00.

Only one price per line item will be accepted.

In order to be awarded a contract, the City requires all required documents to be submitted in PlanetBids, including but not limited to:

· Project Paperwork*

-Acknowledgement and Acceptance of Conditions and Contract Specifications -Living Wage Contract Addendum -Primary/Subcontractor Agreement Certificate

· Line Items

· Bid Guaranty (bid bond or certified check / cashier’s check on a solvent bank) – see instructions below

· Signed Contract by the Vendor

*Located on “Documents” tab in PlanetBids Bid Guaranty requirements are located on the “Bid Information” tab on PlanetBids. The bid guaranty shall be in the form of a cashier’s check/official check on a solvent bank or a bid bond. If using a check as the bid guaranty, the check must be scanned and uploaded with your bid. In addition, the check must be received by the Division of Purchases and Supplies no later than the due date and time to be deemed responsive. No Company / No Personal checks will be accepted. Checks shall be made payable to “City of Toledo.” If your company is using a bid bond, scan and upload with bid; the original does not need to be received by the City of Toledo. If your company does not provide a bid guaranty, your bid submittal will be deemed non-responsive. (TMC 187.09)

City of Toledo

Division of Purchases and Supplies

One Government Center, Suite 2000

640 Jackson Street

Toledo, OH 43604 Beginning with bids advertised on or after March 13, 2026, the following documents will only need to be submitted once for your company for the duration of all contracts with the City. If any information changes, it is the company’s responsibility to notify the City and update the applicable documentation.

City Paperwork:

· Vendor Registration Form, if your company is new to doing business with the city

· Business Tax Registration Form, if your company is new to doing business with the city

· Child Support Affidavit, notarized

· Vendor Utility

Beginning with bids advertised on or after March 13, 2026 the following documents will only need to be submitted once for all bids your company submits in 2026. If any information changes, it is the company’s responsibility to notify the City and update the applicable paperwork.

Annual Paperwork:

· W-9

· Insurance Certificate, naming the City of Toledo as an additional insured – requirements available on the “Documents” tab of PlanetBids

· EEO Compliance

· Debarment Certification

· Living Wage Affidavit, updated no later than February 1st

· Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Certificate

BID OPENING MEETING

Bids will be opened at 2 PM EST on the due date of this bid via Zoom Meeting at:

https://link.edgepilot.com/s/72026a0a/vScHndadGUqgTn8jHzPYJQ?u=https://toledo-oh-gov.zoom.us/j/96570601158

This meeting is available to all interested parties. Preliminary Bid results will be available within one day on the PlanetBids website after bid opening. Bid results will be published to the PlanetBids website once awarded.

City of Toledo

One Government Center

640 Jackson Street

Toledo, Ohio 43604