Chemical & Contaminants Fluid & Waste Removal

Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA, commonly known as Cincinnati Metro) is requesting proposals for collection, handling, transportation, treatment, and disposal of chemical and contaminated fluid waste at SORTA facilities under RFP #113-2026, with proposals due September 29, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. The pre-proposal meeting occurred September 8, 2026; questions were due September 15, 2026.

The scope encompasses identifying and characterizing waste streams, collecting waste from designated accumulation areas, packaging materials in compliance with hazardous waste regulations, sampling and analyzing waste when required, transporting waste via licensed hazardous waste transporters, treating or disposing of waste at approved facilities, managing contaminated liquids (oils, solvents, acids, caustics, wastewater, coolants, and fuels), decontaminating work areas and equipment, responding to spills, and maintaining waste inventories and tracking records. Pricing includes line items for 55-gallon non-hazardous recovery, neutralization, oil filter recycling, aerosol can recovery, standard waste removal, waste profiling, vacuum liquid pickup (7,500 gallons annually), vacuum truck stop fees, energy surcharges, and used oil pickup (8,500 gallons annually). Pricing must be all-inclusive of labor, materials, transportation, and all other costs; freight must be included in item prices with no separate freight charges permitted.

The contract term is three years. SORTA will evaluate proposals using project approach (35 percent), price (35 percent), and firm and staffing qualifications (30 percent). SORTA determined that subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not available and established no formal small business participation goal, though bidders are encouraged to include small and disadvantaged businesses where feasible.

Proposers must submit a technical proposal (project approach, firm qualifications, staffing) and a business proposal (insurance certificates, property tax affidavits, anti-lobbying certifications, and required documentation), with pricing submitted separately. Proposals must remain valid for a minimum of 120 days from the deadline. Contractors must maintain workers' compensation, general liability of not less than $1 million per occurrence, automobile insurance, crime insurance, and professional liability insurance of $1 million per occurrence, with SORTA named as additional insured on applicable policies. Contractors must comply with Title VII, ADA, federal environmental standards, 29 CFR Section 5.5 work hours and safety standards, drug and alcohol testing requirements, and equal employment opportunity provisions.