Final_RFB_605_2600000698_1_SO_FORM.PDF

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Eq Rental Offset Drill w/Operator D6 Federal
Solicitation number
RFB 605 2600000698 2
Issued by
Elliott County, Kentucky

About this file

This is a Request for Bid (RFB) issued by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's Division of Purchases for the Highway District 6 to establish a master agreement contract for equipment rental services. The solicitation seeks one modified rotary drill (truck or track-mounted) with operator capable of drilling 7" to 10" diameter holes in soil and rock, and installing steel railroad rails up to 40 feet in length weighing 130-140 pounds per linear yard. The drill must be offset-capable with a minimum 5-foot offset from the tire or track edge to hole center, powered by a 130+ horsepower motor with 16,000+ pounds pull-down pressure and 300+ CFM air compressor. The contractor must furnish site support labor, equipment, and supplies including acetylene blowtorches, chains, hooks, and cables. The estimated scope includes 10,000 linear feet of drilling and 7,000 linear feet of vendor-furnished railroad steel. The solicitation opened July 1, 2026, with written questions due by July 10, 2026 at 4:00 PM Eastern Time, and bids due July 22, 2026 at 1:30 PM. The anticipated award date is August 3, 2026. The initial contract period runs through July 31, 2027, with four optional one-year renewal periods available. The vendor must meet a minimum production rate of 800 linear feet per 8-hour workday, with liquidated damages of $500 per day assessed for failure to meet this rate or for delays in beginning work within the designated response time. Emergency response is guaranteed within 72 hours of notification.

Pricing is submitted on a per-linear-foot basis with the contractor responsible for all mobilization, demobilization, and inter-site transportation costs including tolls. Payment is made for actual field-measured lengths of installed railroad rails, net of protruding material above ground. The contract is funded through Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) sources and subject to Davis-Bacon Act wage determinations, Buy America requirements, and Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act compliance, including domestic steel, iron, and manufactured product sourcing with final assembly occurring in the United States. A Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal of 0% is established; however, bidders are encouraged to consider DBEs for subcontracting. Required insurance includes Commercial General Liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate) and Automobile Liability ($1,000,000 combined single limit). The contractor must comply with KYTC Standard Specifications, Federal Highway Administration FHWA 1273 requirements, non-collusion certification, and non-discrimination provisions. Bids must be submitted electronically through the Kentucky Vendor Self Service eProcurement system at https://vss.ky.gov; emailed and hard-copy submissions will not be accepted. The contact for questions is Nick Cavender at 502-782-3979 or Nicholas.Cavender@ky.gov.

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Document ID: RFB 605 2600000698 Page: 1

Commonwealth of Kentucky

SOLICITATION

Modification: No Version #:

TITLE: Eq Rental Offset Drill w/Operator D6 Federal

Date Issued:

07/01/2026 Record Date:

07/01/2026

Solicitation Closes Date:

07/22/2026 Time:

13:30

Solicitation No:

RFB 605 2600000698

Online Bidding Prohibited: No

For Information Call:

Nick Cavender 502-782-3979

Bid Receiving Location:

Bid Receiving

See Terms & Conditions for Bid Submission Instructions

Other KY

Vendor Customer Number:

Vendor Name:

Phone Number:

Fax Number:

Email Address:

Ordering

Address:

City, State, Zip:

Contact Name:

Contact Email:

Contact Phone Number:

Payment

Address:

City, State, Zip:

Contact Name:

Contact Email:

Contact Phone Number:

Ownership Type

__ Sole Proprietorship __ Partnership __ Corporation __ Other_________________________

SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED AGENT IS REQUIRED UNLESS RESPONSE

IS SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY. FAILURE TO SIGN SHALL RENDER

THE BID INVALID.

Signature X_________________________________________ FEIN#____________________ Date____________

All offers subject to all terms and conditions contained in this solicitation.

Document ID: RFB 605 2600000698 Page: 2

Line Items

Commodity Group: Default Commodity Group

Line CL Description Quantity UOM Unit Cost Line Total or Contract Amnt

1 Federal-Rotary Drill w/Operator 10000.00000 LFT

Comm Code Comm Description Manufacturer Model # Manuf Part #

97534 Earth Moving Equipment (Graders, Dozers, Loaders, etc.) Rent

Extended Description Federal-Rotary Drill w/Operator

***ONLY ONLINE BIDS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR THIS RFB.*** Emailed and hard copies delivered by any method WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

See attached document How to Respond to an Online Bid through the Kentucky Vendor Self Service site (updated).pdf.

Please enter contact person, phone number and email in the Comments Section.

Vendors should review and update, if necessary, all addresses and contact persons for their account prior to bid submission. This information will carry forward to a contract if awarded, therefore please ensure all information is correct.

The Transportation Cabinet shall provide railroad rails, make necessary site preparation and furnish necessary traffic control.

Line CL Description Quantity UOM Unit Cost Line Total or Contract Amnt

2 Federal-Vendor Furnished Rail Road Steel 7000.00000 LFT

Comm Code Comm Description Manufacturer Model # Manuf Part #

97534 Earth Moving Equipment (Graders, Dozers, Loaders, etc.) Rent

Extended Description Vendor to provide used railroad rail. This includes drilling the hole, providing and placing the rail.

Use only visibly straight recycled rails with no splices. The Engineer will verify rail nominal weights (manufacturer's stamp with lb/yd, date, etc.).

Provide certification for nominal weight if the manufacturer's stamp is unidentifiable.

Shipping Information Various Shipping

See Extended Description

Various KY

Billing Information KYTC District 6 - Covington District Office

421 Buttermilk Pike

Covington KY 41017-0130

Document ID: RFB 605 2600000698 Page: 3

Submission Checklist

The following items will be required to be submitted with bid:

Item The vendor with lowest price receives the highest evaluated score.

The vendor with the lowest response time receives the highest evaluated score.

ELECTRONIC BID SUBMISSION

Bid responses shall be received by electronic submission in the eProcurement system.

Link: https://vss.ky.gov

An electronic bid shall be authorized by the proper agent of the firm by the act of submitting it electronically through the eProcurement system.

Bid information MUST be completed online. Response must contain all required information for the Solicitation.

All bidders MUST be registered in the Commonwealth eProcurement System via the Vendor Self Service System at https://vss.ky.gov

Allow 24 – 48 hours to complete Vendor Registration. Vendors must be logged in to their Vendor Self Service (VSS) account in order to submit a response. Registrations completed the day of bid closing must be completed by the Vendor in the VSS portal. The Customer Resource Center is not able to complete registrations and activate accounts on the same day. Closing dates will not be extended for Vendors not registered by the date/time of the bid closing. Vendor Self Registration Guides are provided at https://finance.ky.gov/eProcurement/Pages/doing-business-with-the-commonwealth.aspx

All bidders are cautioned to begin their electronic submission in sufficient time to complete before the closing date and time. Delays due to technical difficulties or document upload impediments shall not be justification for acceptance of a late bid or proposal. Vendor attention to this advisory is encouraged. If you need assistance, please contact the Customer Resource Center (CRC) by email at Finance.CRCGroup@ky.gov or phone 502-564-9641 or toll-free 877-973-HELP (4357).

BID PRICES SUBMITTED ON COMPANY QUOTE FORMS ARE DISCOURAGED. COMPANY TERMS AND

CONDITIONS AND/OR SALES AND USE AGREEMENTS OFTEN CONFLICT WITH STANDARD SOLICITATION

REQUIREMENTS AND MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF BID OFFER.

Online bid responses must be in an “Accepted” status and shall be assigned a date and time stamp from the eProcurement system at the time of final acceptance and formal submission by the vendor. The system will not allow submission of an online response after the published date and time for closing.

An offer may be modified or withdrawn by electronic or written notice ONLY if received prior to the bid closing date and time. An electronic offer may be modified by applying the appropriate electronic signature and following the procedure in the state’s eProcurement signature.

PUBLIC BID READINGS

Any person wishing to hear a bid reading may call our conference line at 502-564-4495, Enter the Conference ID Code 240522126 and

Participant Code 228420, at 3:00 pm, Eastern Time on the bid closing date.

BID SUBMISSION CHECKLIST

The vendor MUST include the following with the bid submission. If the items below are not submitted with the bid, the Commonwealth MUST deem the bid non-responsive and SHALL NOT be considered for award.

_____ BID INFORMATION – COMPLETED (See Section 5.00)

All other items MUST be submitted prior to award however, vendors are strongly encouraged to include with bid submission.

_____ CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY – REGISTRATION WITH SECRETARY OF STATE BY FOREIGN

ENTITY (See Section 2.26)

Document Phase Document Description Page 4

2600000698 Final Eq Rental Offset Drill w/Operator D6 Federal Total Pages: 38 https://vss.ky.gov https://vss.ky.gov https://finance.ky.gov/eProcurement/Pages/doing-business-with-the-commonwealth.aspx https://finance.ky.gov/eProcurement/Pages/doing-business-with-the-commonwealth.aspx mailto:Finance.CRCGroup@ky.gov

_____ REQUIRED AFFIDAVIT(S) (See Attachments A, B, C, etc. as applicable)

_____ CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE (See Section 1.03)

_____ NON COLLUSION CERTIFICATION (Section 1.04 E)

_____ BUY AMERICA/BABA (Section 1.04 F)

_____ DBE CERTIFICATION (Section 1.04 G)

_____ EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATION/PRODUCT LITERATURE

_____ OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

PLEASE READ THIS SOLICITATION AND ITS INSTRUCTIONS IN ITS ENTIRETY.

This is a Request for Bid (RFB).

Vendors shall comply with the terms and conditions stated in the solicitation.

Any efforts to negotiate these terms and conditions SHALL NOT be accepted and SHALL cause the bid to be deemed non-responsive.

Vendors should review and comply with the general bidding requirements listed under “Procurement Laws, Preference, Regulations and Policies” and “Response to Solicitation” located on the eProcurement Web page at https://finance.ky.gov/eProcurement/Pages/procurement-laws-regulations-and-policies.aspx and https://finance.ky.gov/eProcurement/Pages/doing-business-with-the-commonwealth.aspx respectively. The vendor must comply with all applicable statutes, regulations and policies related to this procurement.

Section 1 - Scope of Work - Service

1.00 - Specifications of Service Requirements

Furnish (1) Modified Rotary Drill, Truck or Track Mounted w/Operator to drill 7" to 10" diameter holes in soil and rock; and To install Department Furnished or Vendor Furnished Steel Railroad Rails up to 40 Ft in length and weighing 130 to 140 Lbs. per linear yard. Railroad rails shall be visibly straight with no splices.

Rotary Drill must have capability of drilling holes that are offset a minimum of Five (5) Ft from the edge of the truck tire or track (if track mounted) to the center of the hole. Must be capable of handling steel railroad rail up to 40 Ft in length. Drill Rig should be powered by motor of 130 HP or greater with at least 16,000 Lbs.

Pull-down pressure and a 300 CFM or greater air compressor. Drill Rig must be capable of drilling from either side and back of carrier. Drill must have capability of drilling a maximum of Forty (40) Ft holes from elevation of roads.

Request Master Agreement for the following equipment and operator to be used by various counties in District 6.

Vendor must supply any site support labor, miscellaneous support equipment, and supplies including acetylene blowtorches (or equivalent), chains, hooks, cables etc. Site support labor and equipment includes flame cutting a lifting eye in the end of the rails if needed, attaching chains, and cables to railroad rails for pulling with the drill rig. Site support labor and equipment includes cutting off the railroad rails after installation, two (2) inches below proposed finished roadway grade established by the department. Unless vendor supplied railroad steel is used, the department is responsible for furnishing, delivering, and unloading individual railroad rails up to forty (40) feet in length to the project site.

Upon receipt of a delivery order, the vendor shall schedule an onsite project meeting with the engineer to discuss the project limits, expectations, required shoulder off-set, railroad rail alignment, etc. and to determine if the department needs to remove overhead obstructions for the drilling equipment.

Document Phase Document Description Page 5

2600000698 Final Eq Rental Offset Drill w/Operator D6 Federal Total Pages: 38 https://finance.ky.gov/eProcurement/Pages/procurement-laws-regulations-and-policies.aspx https://finance.ky.gov/eProcurement/Pages/doing-business-with-the-commonwealth.aspx

The department will provide traffic control and flagging on the worksite. Department may elect to use temporary traffic signals or portable traffic signals with appropriate signing in accordance with MUTCD. Department will also place and maintain appropriate work zone signing, flagging signs, flagger paddles, etc. in accordance with the

MUTCD.

Vendor is required to maintain a minimum production rate of eight hundred (800) LF of installed railroad rails per 8 hour work day. Production rate will not be required on days of adverse weather or unforeseen circumstances at the Department’s Discretion. If daily production rate is not met, Liquidated Damages will be assessed in the amount of $500.00 per day at the Project Engineer’s discretion. Additionally, if the Vendor does not begin work within the designated response time upon receipt of a Department issued Delivery Order; the Department may assess Liquidated Damages at the rate of $500.00 per day. This shall be at the discretion of the Project Engineer.

Drilling operations shall not stop traffic continuously for longer than 15 minutes without the express permission of the engineer. Drill rig must be capable of drilling from either side of carrier. Drill rig must be dependable, safe, and in good working order. “Vendor must abide by Air Quality Requirements outlined in 401 KAR 63:010, fugitive emission regulations” and OSHA's requirement for Workers Protection from Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica.

The estimated feet of drilling is purely an estimate and is not to be implied or inferred as being guaranteed. The Department is only obligated to purchase the number of drilled footage required as determined by Department personnel.

The equipment will be furnished in good mechanical working condition, fully operated with one (1) operator and with all maintenance and repairs including fuel and lubrication necessary for its operation.

Payment for drilling will be for the field measured length of railroad rails installed, measured from elevation drilling begins in soil or rock at ground line to installed bottom of railroad rail elevation. Each piece of steel must be measured and marked with total length prior to installation, and the amount protruding above original ground will be subtracted from the total length to establish the lineal foot payment for each hole drilled. Vendor is responsible for cutting off installed rail, 2 inches below proposed finish roadway grade established by the department. The department will be responsible for removing all cut off pieces of department furnished railroad rail from project site and delivering to the State Highway Maintenance Facility in that county. Vendor is responsible for removing all vendor supplied unused cut off pieces of railroad rail from the project.

The equipment and the operator will be under the supervision and subject to the orders of the Transportation Cabinet, who shall direct the time and place for the use of such equipment.

KYTC reserves the right to issue supplemental contracts for specific projects to address safety concerns, should the vendor be unable to respond to such locations in a suitable timeframe due to workload.

The Transportation Cabinet and all its officers, agents and employees shall be held harmless from all suits, actions, or claims of any character brought on account of any injury or damages sustained by any person or property from any actions or for any negligence in performance of the above named equipment. Nothing in this proposal is to be construed as any agency relationship between the parties.

Projects assigned prior to contract expiration will be considered cancelled if the work has not been initiated at the time of expiration.

1.01-Routine Work

Response Time Should vendor fail to make delivery within the guaranteed response period, they agree and further authorize the Commonwealth to deduct damages from the invoice in the amount of one percent (1%) per day for each day the service is withheld.

Mobilization/Demobilization

The equipment will be delivered to the place of beginning of operation with no expense to the Transportation Cabinet, and upon completion of the work the equipment will be transported away from the place of operations without expense to the Transportation Cabinet.

Document Phase Document Description Page 6

2600000698 Final Eq Rental Offset Drill w/Operator D6 Federal Total Pages: 38

It is understood that an order may include more than one work site and that the vendor is also responsible for all mobilization expenses between each work site.

The vendor shall be responsible for all tolls for his equipment when the travel involves a toll road.

1.02-Emergency Work

Response Time

The Vendor guarantees to begin work within 72 hours following notification by the Chief District Engineer or his/ her designee that an emergency situation exists. This notification may be in the form of a phone call, but an official Delivery Order shall follow as soon as possible.

An "emergency" is defined as- A situation which creates a threat or impending threat to public health, welfare, or safety such as may arise by reason of fires, floods, tornadoes, other natural or man-caused disasters, epidemics, riots, enemy attack, sabotage, explosion, power failure, energy shortages, transportation emergencies, equipment failures, state or federal legislative mandates, or similar events. (Per KRS 45A.095)

The vendor shall provide at least two phone numbers where they can be reached 24 hours a day.

Emergency Contact Person/Phone: __________________________________

Emergency Contact Person/Phone: ___________________________________

Failure to be reached by District personnel may result in the immediate cancellation of the Master Agreement.

The vendor shall notify the District immediately of any changes to the emergency contacts and/or numbers.

1.03– Required Insurance Coverage The awarded vendor(s) shall be responsible for maintaining, and not reducing, the following insurance coverages, types, and limits of liability. Further awarded vendor shall be able to produce evidence of insurance in compliance with (C) through the entire contract:

A. Commercial General Liability Insurance in accordance with minimum limits of liability of $1,000,000.00 per occurrence, $2,000,000.00 aggregate. The Commonwealth, in the Request for Solicitation, may require higher limits depending on the type of solicitation.

B. Additional Types of Insurance

1. Automobile Liability Insurance (If Applicable) Automobile Liability Insurance is required for delivery, onsite training, services or events in all situations where the Contractor must drive to any property where Commonwealth operations occur. With regard to delivery, if the items requested in this solicitation will be delivered by the awarded Contractor or Subcontractor, proof of Automobile Liability Insurance must be provided prior to award. If items will be delivered by common courier (USPS, FedEx, UPS, Old Dominion Freight Line, etc.), this requirement does not apply.

The Contractor or Subcontractor must provide a certificate of insurance coverage for any vehicle used in performance of this contract, whether owned, non-owned, or hired, or other vehicles utilized by the Contractor or Subcontractor.

Said policy of insurance to have a minimum coverage limit of $1,000,000.00 per occurrence combined single limit for bodily injury, including death, and property damage.

This requirement does not apply if the Contractor does not own, lease, or hire any automobiles to be used in connection with performance under any Contract resulting from this Solicitation.

2. Kentucky Workers Compensation Insurance (if applicable)

The coverage must comply with KRS 45A.480 and KRS Chapter 342.

Document Phase Document Description Page 7

C. Evidence of Insurance Coverage

The successful bidder shall provide evidence of insurance coverage as required. Failure to do so shall constitute a material breach of this Contract and may result in immediate cancellation of the Contract.

For all required insurance coverages, during the course of the Contract, the awarded vendor shall not be self-insured or utilize a Captive Insurer or a fronting policy that shifts risk back to the awarded vendor without prior written approval by the Office of the Controller of the Commonwealth.

Further, the awarded vendor shall not utilize an insurer or similar entity not in good standing with the Insurance Commissioner to fulfill the insurance requirements of the contract without prior written approval by the Office of the Controller of the Commonwealth.

Such approvals may require additional financial review, proof of funds, or bonding requirements sufficient for the risk associated with the services covered by the Contract, and approval or rejection is within the sole discretion of the Commonwealth’s Office of the Controller.

Contractor shall furnish the Certificate of Insurance prior to award and shall, upon request of the Commonwealth at any time during the contract term, provide a current, valid Certificate of Insurance.

Contractor and/or its insurer shall provide immediate notice of nonrenewal or cancellation of coverage during the course of the Contract.

All Certificates of Insurance must be signed by an authorized representative of the insurance agency, shall be in compliance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and shall be placed with a licensed resident or non-resident agent who represents insurance companies authorized to do business in Kentucky. The insurer shall have an AM Best rating of B+ or higher. Visit www.ambest.com for verification. Failure to meet this requirement may result in the bid being deemed non-responsive. A list of authorized companies can be found at https://insurance.ky.gov/ppc/ Company/Default.aspx.

A Certificate of Insurance (COI) on an ACORD form shall include the following:

# The certificate holder shall be listed as:

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Division of Purchases

200 Mero Street, 4th Floor Frankfort, Kentucky 40622

# Endorsement of Additional Insured. Certificate of Insurance must contain the following language in the Description of Operations box:

“The Commonwealth and its agents are Additional Insureds for the contract resulting from the solicitation. Additional insured protection afforded is on a primary and non-contributory basis.”

A copy of the Endorsement of Additional Insured must be submitted with the Certificate of Insurance.

# The contract number in the Description of Operations box.

D. Subcontractors

If the contract allows for Subcontractors and utilizes Subcontractors, prior to the commencement of any work by a Subcontractor.

# The primary Contractor’s Certificate of Insurance must identify coverage that meets or exceeds the insurance requirements defined in this contract and that covers Subcontractor and its work in support of the Contract or the Subcontractor must submit and maintain a Certificate of Insurance that also meets or exceeds the insurance requirements of the Primary Contractor defined in this contract, with an Additional Insured Endorsement.

# KYTC reserves the right to request copies of all Subcontractor’s Certificate(s) of Insurance at any time.

Document Phase Document Description Page 8

2600000698 Final Eq Rental Offset Drill w/Operator D6 Federal Total Pages: 38 http://www.ambest.com https://insurance.ky.gov/ppc/Company/Default.aspx https://insurance.ky.gov/ppc/Company/Default.aspx

1.04 - Federal Language

Funds from the Federal Highway Administration will be used to make payment against the resulting contract. The following clauses shall apply:

A. KYTC Standard Specifications

Except as provided herein, conform to all requirements of the Transportation Cabinet’s Current Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction. Section references herein are to the Cabinet’s Current Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction.

The Standard Specifications can be found at: https://transportation.ky.gov/Construction/Pages/Kentucky-Standard- Specifications.aspx

B. FHWA 1273

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/programadmin/contracts/1273/1273.pdf

C. PROJECT WAGE RATES

The contractor shall use the Davis Bacon Act Wage Determinations for highway construction that are effective 10 calendar days prior to the submission of the bid. The project wage determinations can be found at the following link.

https://sam.gov/content/wage-determinations

Select Domain – Select Construction State – Kentucky County – Leave blank DBA Construction Type – Highway

Locality 1 – KY20260040 Locality 2 – KY20260107 Locality 3 – KY20260038 Locality 4 – KY20260039

The Davis Bacon Act Wage Determinations will be updated upon execution of a renewal of the Master Agreement at which time the contractor may ask for price adjustments based on Section 2.07.

D. PROHIBITION ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT OR SERVICES

In accordance with the FY 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), 2 CFR 200.216, and 2 CFR 200.471, Federal agencies are prohibited, after August 13, 2020, from obligating or expending financial assistance to obtain certain telecommunications and video surveillance services and equipment from specific producers. As a result of these regulations, contractors and subcontractors are prohibited, on projects with federal funding participation, from providing telecommunication or video surveillance equipment, services, or systems produced by:

Huawei Technologies Company or ZTE Corporation (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities)

Hytera Communications Corporation, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company, or Dahua Technology Company (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities)

E. NON COLLUSION CERTIFICATION

Per KRS 45A.325, “Any agreement or collusion among bidders or prospective bidders which restrains, tends to restrain, or is reasonably calculated to restrain competition by agreement to bid at a fixed price, or to refrain from bidding, or otherwise, is prohibited.”

Document Phase Document Description Page 9

2600000698 Final Eq Rental Offset Drill w/Operator D6 Federal Total Pages: 38 https://transportation.ky.gov/Construction/Pages/Kentucky-Standard-Specifications.aspx https://transportation.ky.gov/Construction/Pages/Kentucky-Standard-Specifications.aspx https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/programadmin/contracts/1273/1273.pdf https://sam.gov/content/wage-determinations

Per 23 USC 112 (c) “The Secretary shall require as a condition precedent to his approval of each contract awarded by competitive bidding pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, and subject to the provisions of this section, a sworn statement, executed by, or on behalf of, the person, firm, association, or corporation to whom such contract is to be awarded, certifying that such person, firm, association, or corporation has not, either directly or indirectly, entered into any agreement, participated in any collusion, or otherwise taken any action in restraint of free competitive bidding in connection with such contract.”

The attached Non-Collusion Certification must be submitted to Division of Purchases prior to award of contract.

F. BUY AMERICA REQUIREMENT AND BUILD AMERICA, BUY AMERICA (BABA) ACT

1.0 BUY AMERICA REQUIREMENT

Follow the “Buy America” provisions as required by Title 23 Code of Federal Regulations § 635.410. Except as expressly provided herein all manufacturing processes of steel or iron materials including but not limited to structural steel, guardrail materials, corrugated steel, culvert pipe, structural plate, prestressing strands, and steel reinforcing bars shall occur in the United States of America, including the application of:

• Coating,

• Galvanizing,

• Painting, and

• Other coating that protects or enhances the value of steel or iron products.

The following are exempt, unless processed or refined to include substantial amounts of steel or iron material, and may be used regardless of source in the domestic manufacturing process for steel or iron material:

• Pig iron,

• Processed, pelletized, and reduced iron ore material, or

• Processed alloys.

The Contractor shall submit a certification stating that all manufacturing processes involved with the production of steel or iron materials occurred in the United States.

Produce, mill, fabricate, and manufacture in the United States of America all aluminum components of bridges, tunnels, and large sign support systems, for which either shop fabrication, shop inspection, or certified mill test reports are required as the basis of acceptance by the Department.

The use of foreign steel and iron materials may only be under the following conditions:

1) When the materials are not permanently incorporated into the project; or

2) When the delivered cost of such materials used does not exceed 0.1 percent of the total Contract amount or $2,500.00, whichever is greater.

The Contractor shall submit to the Engineer the origin and value of any foreign material used.

2.0 BUILD AMERICA, BUY AMERICA (BABA)

The Contractor shall comply with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Buy America Requirement in Title 23 Code of Federal Regulations § 635.410 and all relevant provisions of the Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act, contained within the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Pub. L. No. 117-58, §§ 70901-52 enacted November 25, 2021. The BABA requires iron, steel, manufactured products and construction materials used in

Document Phase Document Description Page 10 https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/uscode.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=23-USC-1264422296-293024739&term_occur=999&term_src= infrastructure projects funded by federal financial assistance to be produced in the United States. The Contractor shall comply with Title 2 C.F.R. § 184.

A) Iron and Steel Requirements. BABA permits FHWA participation in the Contract only if domestic steel and iron will be used on the Project. To be considered domestic, all steel and iron used, and all products manufactured from steel and iron must be produced in the United States and all manufacturing processes, including application of coating, for these materials must occur in the United States. Coating includes all processes that protect or enhance the value of the material to which the coating was applied. This requirement does not preclude a minimal use of foreign steel and iron materials, provided the cost of such materials does not exceed 0.1% of the total contract amount under the Contract or $2,500.00 whichever is greater.

B) Construction Material Requirements. BABA permits FHWA participation in the Contract only if all “construction materials”, as defined in the IIJA and OMB Memorandum M-24-02, are produced in the United States.

The Buy America preference applies to the following materials incorporated into infrastructure projects:

• non-ferrous metals

• plastic and polymer-based products (including polyvinylchloride, composite building materials, and polymers used in fiber optic cables)

• glass (including optic glass)

• fiber optic cable

• optical fiber

• lumber

• engineered wood

• drywall

C) Manufactured Products Requirements. All manufactured products incorporated into the project must comply with the following:

1) All manufactured products used in Federal-aid projects must have final assembly occur in the United States to be considered Buy America compliant.

2) Effective with the October 2026 letting, in addition to the requirement specified in paragraph 1), the cost of the components of the manufactured product that are mined, produced or manufactured in the United States must be greater than 55% of the total cost of all components of the manufactured product. Each manufactured item must be classified into one of the following categories: iron or steel product, manufactured product, construction material or another product category as specified by law or in 2 CFR Part 184. Items shall not be classified into multiple categories.

3.0 ADDITIONAL BABA ACT REQUIREMENTS.

A) De Minimis Waiver. The De Minimis Costs portion waives the application of the requirements of the BABA Act for construction materials and manufactured products under a single financial assistance award when the total value of the non-compliant products is no more than the lesser of $1,000,000 or 5% of the total applicable costs for the project. Applicable costs are defined as the costs of all steel, iron, manufactured products and construction materials. Cement and cementitious materials; aggregates such as stone, sand, or gravel; and binding agents and additives, standing alone, should not be included in the determination of total applicable project costs. The De Minimis waiver cannot be applied to a single item exceeding $1,000,000 in value.

If the Contractor seeks to utilize the waiver, the entire administrative burden lies solely with the Contractor, including all documentation and tracking of actual costs of steel, iron, manufactured products and construction materials to ensure that the 5% threshold is not exceeded. Records must be retained for at least five (5) years after receipt of the Contractor’s Final Release Letter.

Document Phase Document Description Page 11

Additionally, the Contractor shall notify the Engineer in writing of the intent to utilize the waiver prior to purchasing any De Minimis material and/or products. This written notice shall include the estimated cost of the De Minimis material and/or products and the estimated total applicable costs for the project. Any noncompliant items outlined in the project specific Utilities and Rail Certification Note shall also be included.

B) Certification. Prior to the issuance of the Notice to Proceed, the Contractor shall submit a Department approved Build America, Buy America Certificate, certifying compliance with all applicable requirements. Once submitted, the Contractor is bound by the Certification. A false certification is a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001 and may result in criminal penalties. The Contractor bears the burden of proof of compliance.

In addition to the required Contractor certification, each manufacturer and/or supplier shall submit a certification to certify materials or supplies are in compliance with the applicable domestic material content procurement preferences found in the Buy America Act requirements (23 CFR 635.410) and the BABA Act (BABA) requirements (2 CFR part 184). The individual completing this form takes full responsibility for the information included in the form. The manufacturer/supplier shall utilize the AASHTO Domestic Materials Self-Certification Form.

C) Project Specific Waiver. At the Contractor’s request, the Cabinet may, but is not obligated to, seek a waiver of Buy America requirements if grounds for the waiver exist under 23 C.F.R. § 635.410(c) or will comply with the applicable Buy America requirements if a waiver of those requirements is not available or not pursued by the Cabinet. The time associated with the project specific waiver process will be considered non-compensable. Refer to the Federal Highway Administration’s Buy America webpage for more information.

4.00 DEFINITIONS.

A) Construction Materials. Pursuant to the definition in 2 CFR 184.3, construction materials are articles, materials or supplies that consist of only one of the following items. Minor additions of articles, materials, supplies or binding agents to a construction material do not change the categorization of a material as a “construction material”. All manufacturing processes for the construction material must occur in the United States.

• non-ferrous metals;

• plastic and polymer-based products (including polyvinylchloride, composite building materials, and polymers used in fiber optic cables);

• glass (including optic glass);

• optical fiber;

• lumber;

• engineered wood; or

• drywall.

Not included: primarily iron or steel items; a manufactured product; cement and cementitious materials; aggregates such as stone, sand, or gravel; or aggregate binding agents or additives.

“All manufacturing processes” is defined as the final manufacturing process and the immediately preceding manufacturing stage for the construction material.

B) Manufactured Products. Pursuant to the definition in 2 CFR 184.3, manufactured products means articles, materials, or supplies that have been:

• (i) processed into a specific form and shape; or

• (ii) combined with other articles, materials, or supplies to create a product with different properties than the individuals’ articles, materials, or supplies.

An article, material, or supply classified as a manufactured product may include components that are construction materials, iron or steel products.

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C) Iron and Steel. Pursuant to the definition in 2 CFR 184.3, iron or steel products means articles, materials, or supplies that consist wholly or predominantly of iron or steel or a combination of both. •

Predominantly of iron or steel or a combination of both means that the cost of the iron and steel content exceeds 50 percent of the total cost of all its components. The cost of iron and steel is the cost of the iron or steel mill products (such a bar, billet, slab, wire, plate, or sheet), castings, or forgings utilized in the manufacture of the product and a good faith estimate of the iron or steel components.”

The Certificate of Compliance must be submitted to Division of Purchases prior to award of contract.

G. DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM

It is the policy of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (“the Cabinet”) that Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (“DBE”) shall have the opportunity to participate in the performance of highway construction projects financed in whole or in part by Federal Funds in order to create a level playing field for all businesses who wish to contract with the Cabinet. To that end, the Cabinet will comply with the regulations found in 49 CFR Part 26, and the definitions and requirements contained therein shall be adopted as if set out verbatim herein.

The Cabinet, contractors, subcontractors, and sub-recipients shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, or sex in the performance of work performed pursuant to Cabinet contracts. The contractor shall carry out applicable requirements of 49 CFR 26 in the award and administration of federally assisted highway construction projects. The contractor will include this provision in all its subcontracts and supply agreements pertaining to contracts with the Cabinet.

Failure by the contractor to carry out these requirements is a material breach of its contract with the Cabinet, which may result in the termination of the contract or such other remedy as the Cabinet deems necessary.

DBE GOAL

The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal established for this contract, as listed below, is the percentage of the total value of the contract.

The contractor shall exercise all necessary and reasonable steps to ensure that Disadvantaged Business Enterprises participate in a least the percent of the contract as set forth above as goals for this contract.

OBLIGATION OF CONTRACTORS

Each contractor prequalified to perform work on Cabinet projects shall designate and make known to the Cabinet a liaison officer who is assigned the responsibility of effectively administering and promoting an active program for utilization of DBEs.

If a formal goal has not been designated for the contract, all contractors are encouraged to consider DBEs for subcontract work as well as for the supply of material and services needed to perform this work.

Contractors are encouraged to use the services of banks owned and controlled by minorities and women.

CERTIFICATION OF CONTRACT GOAL

Contractors shall include the following certification in bids for projects for which a DBE goal has been established.

BIDS SUBMITTED WHICH DO NOT INCLUDE CERTIFICATION OF DBE PARTICIPATION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. These bids will not be considered for award by the Cabinet and they will be returned to the bidder.

“The bidder certifies that it has secured participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (“DBE”) in the amount of 0% percent of the total value of this contract and that the DBE participation is in compliance with the requirements of 49 CFR 26 and the policies of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet pertaining to the DBE Program.”

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The attached DBE Certification Form must be submitted to Division of Purchases prior to award of contract.

DBEs utilized in achieving the DBE goal must be certified and prequalified for the work items at the time the bid is submitted.

DBE PARTICIPATION PLAN

Lowest responsive bidders must submit the DBE Plan/ Subcontractor Request, form TC 14-35 DBE, within 5 days of the letting. This is necessary before the Awards Committee will review and make a recommendation. The project will not be considered for award prior to submission and approval of the apparent low bidder’s DBE Plan/ Subcontractor Request.

The DBE Participation Plan shall include the following:

1. Name and address of DBE Subcontractor(s) and/or supplier(s) intended to be used in the proposed project;

2. Description of the work each is to perform including the work item, unit, quantity, unit price and total amount of the work to be performed by the individual DBE. The Proposal Line Number, Category Number, and the Project Line Number can be found in the “material listing” on the Construction Procurement website under the specific letting;

3. The dollar value of each proposed DBE subcontract and the percentage of total project contract value this represents. DBE participation may be counted as follows;

a) If DBE suppliers and manufactures assume actual and contractual responsibility, the dollar value of materials to be furnished will be counted toward the goal as follows:

• The entire expenditure paid to a DBE manufacturer;

• 60 percent of expenditures to DBE suppliers that are not manufacturers provided the supplier is a regular dealer in the product involved. A regular dealer must be engaged in, as its principal business and in its own name, the sale of products to the public, maintain an inventory and own and operate distribution equipment; and

• The amount of fees or commissions charged by the DBE firms for a bona fide service, such as professional, technical, consultant, or managerial services and assistance in the procurement of essential personnel, facilities, equipment, materials, supplies, delivery of materials and supplies or for furnishing bonds, or insurance, providing such fees or commissions are determined to be reasonable and customary.

b) The dollar value of services provided by DBEs such as quality control testing, equipment repair and maintenance, engineering, staking, etc.;

c) The dollar value of joint ventures. DBE credit for joint ventures will be limited to the dollar amount of the work actually performed by the DBE in the joint venture;

4. Written and signed documentation of the bidder’s commitment to use a DBE contractor whose participation is being utilized to meet the DBE goal; and

5. Written and signed confirmation from the DBE that it is participating in the contract as provided in the prime contractor’s commitment.

AFTER PROJECT AWARD AND BEFORE NOTICE TO PROCEED/WORK ORDER IS ISSUED (SEE

SECTION 103.06, STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR ROAD AND BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION

Prime Contractors awarded a federally funded project with a DBE Goal greater than zero will be required to submit DBE Subcontract Agreement Form, TC 14-36, along with the attached FHWA 1273 and Certificate of Liability Insurance for each DBE Firm submitted as part of the previously approved DBE Utilization Plan (TC 14-35). A signed quote or purchase order shall be attached when the DBE subcontractor is a material supplier or broker.

The Certificate of Liability Insurance submitted must meet the requirements outlined in Section 107.18 of the Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction.

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Changes to APPROVED DBE Participation Plans must be approved by the Cabinet. The Cabinet may consider extenuating circumstances including, but not limited to, changes in the nature or scope of the project, the inability or unwillingness of a DBE to perform the work in accordance with the bid, and/or other circumstances beyond the control of the prime contractor.

CONSIDERATION OF GOOD FAITH EFFORTS REQUESTS

If the DBE participation submitted in the bid by the apparent lowest responsive bidder does not meet or exceed the DBE contract goal, the apparent lowest responsive bidder must submit a Good Faith Effort Package to satisfy the Cabinet that sufficient good faith efforts were made to meet the contract goals prior to submission of the bid.

Efforts to increase the goal after bid submission will not be considered in justifying the good faith effort, unless the contractor can show that the proposed DBE was solicited prior to the letting date. DBEs utilized in achieving the DBE goal must be certified and prequalified for the work items at the time the bid is submitted. One complete set (hard copy along with an electronic copy) of this information must be received in the Division of Contract Procurement no later than 12:00 noon of the tenth calendar day after receipt of notification that they are the apparent low bidder.

Where the information submitted includes repetitious solicitation letters it will be acceptable to submit a sample representative letter along with a distribution list of the firms solicited. Documentation of DBE quotations shall be a part of the good faith effort submittal as necessary to demonstrate compliance with the factors listed below which the Cabinet considers in judging good faith efforts. This documentation may include written subcontractors’ quotations, telephone log notations of verbal quotations, or other types of quotation documentation.

The Good Faith Effort Package shall include, but may not be limited to information showing evidence of the following:

1. Whether the bidder attended any pre-bid meetings that were scheduled by the Cabinet to inform DBEs of subcontracting opportunities;

2. Whether the bidder provided solicitations through all reasonable and available means;

3. Whether the bidder provided written notice to all DBEs listed in the DBE directory at the time of the letting who are prequalified in the areas of work that the bidder will be subcontracting;

4. Whether the bidder followed up initial solicitations of interest by contacting DBEs to determine with certainly whether they were interested. If a reasonable amount of DBEs within the targeted districts do not provide an intent to quote or no DBEs are prequalified in the subcontracted areas, the bidder must notify the Disadvantaged Enterprise Business Liaison Officer (DEBLO) in the Office for Civil Rights and Small Business Development to give notification of the bidder’s inability to get DBE quotes;

5. Whether the bidder selected portions of the work to be performed by DBEs in order to increase the likelihood of meeting the contract goals. This includes, where appropriate, breaking out contract work items into economically feasible units to facilitate DBE participation, even when the prime contractor might otherwise perform these work items with its own forces;

6. Whether the bidder provided interested DBEs with adequate and timely information about the plans, specifications, and requirements of the contract;

7. Whether the bidder negotiated in good faith with interested DBEs not rejecting them as unqualified without sound reasons based on a thorough investigation of their capabilities. Any rejection should be so noted in writing with a description as to why an agreement could not be reached;

8. Whether quotations were received from interested DBE firms but were rejected as unacceptable without sound reasons why the quotations were considered unacceptable. The fact that the DBE firm’s quotation for the work is not the lowest quotation received will not in itself be considered as a sound reason for rejecting the quotation as unacceptable. The fact that the bidder has the ability and/or desire to perform the contract work with its own forces will not be considered a sound reason for rejecting a DBE quote. Nothing in this provision shall be construed to require the bidder to accept unreasonable quotes in order to satisfy DBE goals;

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9. Whether the bidder specifically negotiated with subcontractors to assume part of the responsibility to meet the contract DBE goal when the work to be subcontracted includes potential DBE participation;

10. Whether the bidder made any efforts and/or offered assistance to interested DBEs in obtaining the necessary equipment, supplies, materials, insurance and/or bonding to satisfy the work requirements of the bid proposal; and

11. Any other evidence that the bidder submits which may show that the bidder has made reasonable good faith efforts to include DBE participation.

FAILURE TO MEET GOOD FAITH REQUIREMENT

Where the apparent lowest responsive bidder fails to submit sufficient participation by DBE firms to meet the contract goal and upon a determination by the Good Faith Committee based upon the information submitted that the apparent lowest responsive bidder failed to make sufficient reasonable efforts to meet the contract goal, the bidder will be offered the opportunity to meet in person for administrative reconsideration. The bidder will be notified of the Committee’s decision within 24 hours of its decision. The bidder will have 24 hours to request reconsideration of the Committee’s decision. The reconsideration meeting will be held within two days of the receipt of a request by the bidder for reconsideration.

The request for reconsideration will be heard by the Office of the Secretary. The bidder will have the opportunity to present written documentation or argument concerning the issue of whether it met the goal or made an adequate good faith effort. The bidder will receive a written decision on the reconsideration explaining the basis for the finding that the bidder did or did not meet the goal or made adequate Good Faith efforts to do so.

The result of the reconsideration process is not administratively appealable to the Cabinet or to the United States Department of Transportation.

The Cabinet reserves the right to award the contract to the next lowest responsive bidder or to rebid the contract in the event that the contract is not awarded to the low bidder as the result of a failure to meet the good faith requirement.

SANCTIONS FOR FAILURE TO MEET DBE REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROJECT

Failure by the prime contractor to fulfill the DBE requirements of a project under contract or to demonstrate good faith efforts to meet the goal constitutes a breach of contract. When this occurs, the Cabinet will hold the prime contractor accountable, as would be the case with all other contract provisions. Therefore, the contractor’s failure to carry out the DBE contract requirements shall constitute a breach of contract and as such the Cabinet reserves the right to exercise all administrative remedies at its disposal including, but not limited to the following:

• Suspension of Prequalification;

• Disallow credit toward the DBE goal;

• Withholding progress payments;

• Withholding payment to the prime in an amount equal to the unmet portion of the contract goal; and/or

• Termination of the contract.

PROMPT PAYMENT

The prime contractor will be required to pay the DBE and Non-DBE Subcontractors within seven (7) working days after he or she has received payment from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for work performed or materials furnished.

CONTRACTOR REPORTING

All contractors must keep detailed records and provide reports to the Cabinet on their progress in meeting the DBE requirement on any highway contract.

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