RFP 6400 PLS3020 – Tower Climbing Services Summary

This is a Request for Proposals (RFP) issued by the City of Austin Technology Services-Mobile Radio Communications for qualified tower climbing, repair, and inspection services. The solicitation seeks contractors to provide comprehensive tower maintenance including climbing, repair, inspection, dismantling, coax and hardline installation, antenna services, microwave equipment repair, grounding and lightning protection, and new system installations on structures ranging from 20 to 450 feet in height, with occasional work on commercial broadcast towers up to 1,000 feet located primarily within Travis County and neighboring counties. Proposals are due May 28, 2026 at 2:00 PM CT with offer opening at 3:00 PM CT the same day. A non-mandatory pre-offer conference is scheduled for May 13, 2026 at 9:00 AM CT via Microsoft Teams. Questions must be submitted five business days prior to the proposal due date. The contract includes an initial twelve-month term with four optional twelve-month renewal periods. Contractors must maintain 24/7 availability, respond to normal service calls within 48 hours during business hours (6:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday) and emergency calls within four hours outside those times.

Pricing encompasses three categories: hourly labor rates for normal business hours (estimated 1,200 annual hours) and after-hours services (estimated 105 annual hours), emergency service call-out fees and round-trip drive-time charges (estimated 36 annual incidents), and materials markup not exceeding 15 percent based on estimated annual material spend of $100,000. All pricing proposals must be all-inclusive with no separate charges for administrative costs, overhead, per diem, shipping, transportation, travel time, fuel surcharges, mileage, or stop fees, except for one reimbursable round-trip flat fee per three-member crew. Required qualifications include National Wireless Safety Alliance certifications, Competent Tower Climber/Rescuer training, OSHA-compliant fall protection training, and 100 percent tie-off fall protection compliance. Evaluation criteria comprise Company Qualifications and Technical Approach (40 points), Safety Record and Performance (30 points), and Price (10 points), with optional Local Business and Small Business preferences providing up to 10 points each. Contractors must comply with the City's Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises Procurement Program and maintain living wage requirements of $22.05 per hour. The annual spend amount is an estimate only and not guaranteed, with the City reserving the right to award a single contract or multiple contracts based on overall low cost or by individual line items.