Eq Rental Offset Drill w/Operator D-8 FHWA ER Eligible

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 8 is requesting bids for rental and operation of a modified rotary offset drill with operator for roadway stabilization projects, with bids due June 25, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The equipment must be Federal Highway Administration Emergency Relief eligible. This is a federally funded project subject to Davis-Bacon wage determinations, Buy America and Build America requirements, and a 0% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise goal.

The scope calls for one truck- or track-mounted rotary drill capable of drilling 7- to 10-inch diameter holes in soil and rock, installing railroad rails up to 40 feet in length, and drilling offset a minimum of 5 feet from the equipment edge. The equipment must have at least 130 horsepower with minimum 16,000 pounds pull-down pressure and 300 CFM air compressor capacity. An experienced operator must be provided. Work includes offset drilling with department-furnished rail (1,000 linear feet), offset drilling with vendor-furnished rail (1,000 linear feet), and cribbing installation (2,000 square feet). The contractor must maintain a minimum production rate of 800 linear feet of installed railroad rails per 8-hour workday; liquidated damages of $500 per day apply for failure to meet production rates or response timelines. Price changes are permitted monthly for line items 2 and 3 based on steel market fluctuations with supporting documentation.

The initial contract period runs through July 31, 2027, with four optional one-year renewals. Deliveries are to the Somerset District Office. The award is tentatively scheduled for July 24, 2026. Evaluation is scored on 95 points for lowest bid and 5 points for response time. Bidders must have active vendor registration in the Kentucky Vendor Self Service portal and submit exclusively through the Kentucky eProcurement System. Insurance requirements include Commercial General Liability ($1 million per occurrence / $2 million aggregate), Automobile Liability ($1 million combined single limit if applicable), and Kentucky Workers Compensation coverage, with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet named as additional insured.