EXCAVATION SERVICES, SDMC No. 26-0082-MR

The School District of Manatee County, Florida, is soliciting qualified contractors for district-wide excavation services through Invitation to Bid (ITB) No. 26-0082-MR, seeking providers to perform comprehensive maintenance and earthwork activities on an as-needed basis. The procurement requires contractors to furnish all necessary labor, materials, equipment, and experienced operators to complete tasks including reshaping parking lots and driveways, managing swale drainage, repairing minor culverts, implementing erosion control measures, and executing general excavation work. Key deliverables encompass 15 categories of equipment and operator services, ranging from backhoes and bulldozers to specialized tractor operations. Proposal submissions were due on October 23, 2025, at 3:00 PM ET via VendorLink, with an anticipated evaluation meeting scheduled virtually on October 29, 2025. The contract term is set for January 1, 2026, through October 31, 2028, with potential two-year renewal options. Evaluation criteria include comprehensive references, proof of financial qualification, drug-free workplace certification, and compliance with E-Verify employment verification requirements.

The solicitation does not specifically indicate set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, but it does impose strict qualification requirements for potential bidders. Five contractors submitted bids: Cathcart Construction Company, Gainey Land Development Inc., G & V Trucking & Excavating, Inc., Rick Richards Inc., and Top Dirt Solutions, LLC. Contractors must comply with Florida Department of State registration and Jessica Lunsford Act background screening if employees will access school grounds during student hours. While no specific budget has been established, the contract allows for a maximum 10% markup on rental equipment, subcontracted services, and material disposal, with no price escalations permitted during the initial contract term. Contractors may request price increases at renewal based on Producer Price Index documentation, not exceeding 4% annually. Successful bidders must maintain comprehensive general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and provide a one-year warranty on all materials and workmanship.