Grit and Jet-Vac Debris Loading and Removal for Wastewater (Bid Discount)

The City of Tampa Purchasing Department is seeking a contractor for Grit and Jet-Vac Debris Loading and Removal services at the Howard F. Curren Advanced Wastewater Treatment (AWTP) Plant, located at 2700 Maritime Boulevard, Tampa, Florida. The contract involves loading, hauling, and disposing of approximately 5,000 tons of wastewater grit and jet-vac debris annually, generated from sewer cleaning and grit removal processes. Bidders must demonstrate at least three years of experience in similar services, provide documentation of employee qualifications, submit safety training procedures, and list service references. The initial contract period is one year, with the potential for four additional one-year renewals and up to three 30-day supplemental renewal periods. A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting and site inspection is scheduled for October 14, 2025, with sealed bids due on October 30, 2025. Pricing will be determined on a per-ton basis for grit removal and jet-vac waste, with provisions for fuel and non-fuel price escalation. The materials must be non-hazardous and disposed of in a Florida Department of Environmental Regulation approved Class I solid waste disposal facility.

The contract includes specific provisions for Small Local Business Enterprises (SLBEs), offering a 5% bid discount not to exceed $10,000 for City-certified SLBE participants. A comprehensive SLBE contact list with 36 certified businesses from the Tampa Bay area is available, indicating a strong commitment to local business participation. The City of Tampa has also included a fuel escalation clause allowing quarterly price adjustments based on diesel fuel price changes, with 40% of the unit cost considered fuel-related and the remaining 60% subject to annual non-fuel price adjustments tied to the Consumer Price Index. The estimated contract value is approximately $400,000, with Hillsborough County Government Purchasing Council members also eligible to utilize this contract. An Equal Business Opportunity (EBO) Determination Letter has been issued, emphasizing the city's commitment to promoting economic opportunities for local small businesses through its Equal Business Opportunity Ordinance. Bidders must submit various documentation, including a DMI-40 Letter of Intent form and detailed payment tracking documentation to ensure compliance with municipal contracting requirements.