City of Rhinelander Wastewater Plant Digester Cleaning and Hauling Contract

The City of Rhinelander is soliciting sealed bids from qualified sludge handling contractors to clean and dispose of sludge from an anaerobic digester at their wastewater treatment facility located at 2775 Highway 17 South, Rhinelander, Wisconsin. The procurement seeks contractors with extensive experience in hauling and disposing of municipal wastewater biosolids, specifically for a project involving the removal of Class A biosolids stored in a concrete thermophilic digester measuring 38 feet in diameter with a maximum operating volume of 170,000 gallons. The primary deliverables include a lump sum price for hauling up to 60,000 gallons of liquid biosolids, additional pricing for volume above the 6-foot tank level, and a price for pressure washing and cleaning the interior tank. Bidders must submit comprehensive proposals including all fuel costs, with no additional fuel surcharges permitted during the contract period. The bid deadline is 4:00 PM on February 24, 2021, with submissions directed to Rhinelander City Hall. Evaluation criteria indicate the contract will be awarded to the proposal deemed in the City's best interest, not necessarily the lowest cost bidder. Potential bidders can arrange a site facility inspection by contacting Jim Gossage at the Rhinelander Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The procurement does not explicitly specify set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Contractors must obtain all necessary permits, disposal sites, and soil tests, and provide written documentation of sludge disposal in compliance with applicable regulations, including annual Wisconsin DNR land application reports. Insurance requirements are stringent, mandating Commercial General Liability of $1,000,000, Automobile Liability of $1,000,000, and Umbrella coverage of $1,000,000, with insurance certificates due within three days of the bid deadline. The contractor will assume full liability for hauling, spreading, and cleaning operations. Billing procedures require submission within 30 days of work completion with itemized services and quantities, with the City processing payment within 30 days of receipt for uncontested amounts. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the contract covers sludge removal and cleaning services for Spring or Summer 2021, with potential additional costs for volumes exceeding the initial 60,000-gallon estimate. Failure to bid on all required line items will result in bid rejection.