Eq Rental Offset Drill w/Operator D6 STATE

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Division of Purchases, is requesting bids for equipment rental services — a modified rotary drill with operator to drill 7" to 10" diameter holes in soil and rock and install steel railroad rails up to 40 feet in length — on behalf of Highway District 6, with bids due July 22, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time. A Kentucky resident-status preference applies to bidders submitting an affidavit confirming authorization to transact business in Kentucky and one year of documented corporate income taxes, unemployment insurance payments, and workers' compensation coverage.

The drill rig must be truck or track mounted, capable of drilling offset a minimum of five feet from the edge of the carrier, powered by a 130 HP or greater motor with 16,000 pounds pull-down pressure, and equipped with a 300 CFM or greater air compressor. The equipment must drill from either side and back of the carrier with maximum hole depths of 40 feet. The master agreement covers two line items: 23,000 linear feet of rotary drilling with operator and 8,000 linear feet of vendor-furnished railroad steel rail. The vendor must maintain a minimum production rate of 800 linear feet of installed railroad rails per 8-hour work day; liquidated damages of $500 per day apply for failure to meet this rate or for failure to begin work within the designated response time. The initial contract period begins upon award and expires July 31, 2027, with optional renewal for four additional one-year periods. Evaluation uses best-value scoring with price weighted at 95 points and response time at 5 points; response time must be stated in specific calendar days and cannot use vague language. The bidder with the lowest price receives maximum points, with other bids scored proportionally. Price adjustments are prohibited during the first twelve months; thereafter increases must be justified by industry-wide price changes and requested at least 30 days in advance. The vendor must provide commercial general liability insurance with minimum limits of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate, automobile liability insurance of $1 million per occurrence if applicable, and Kentucky workers' compensation insurance. Compliance with air quality requirements, OSHA respirable crystalline silica standards, and prevailing wage requirements is mandatory where applicable. Electronic submission through the Kentucky Vendor Self Service system is required; all other submission methods are prohibited. The tentative award date is August 3, 2026.