Locate Private Detectable Underground Utilities

The Commonwealth of Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, on behalf of the Division of Waste Management, issued Request for Bid (RFB) 758 2100000334 to establish a master agreement for locating private detectable underground utilities throughout Kentucky, including Elliott County. The procurement seeks contractor services to horizontally locate underground utilities at statewide locations prior to soil gas sampler installation, utilizing electromagnetic (EM) and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) detection methods to identify utilities and anomalies within approximately 6 feet of building footprints and 3 feet in depth. The estimated scope includes 60 hours of regular service and an additional 60 hours for out-of-area mobilization and technical support, with services required to be available statewide including remote areas. Key deliverables include marked utilities according to American Public Works Association (APWA) standards using environmentally safe paint and flags, photographic documentation of marked utilities, and GPR data upon request. Contractors must carry minimum liability insurance of $15,000 and demonstrate a minimum of 10 years of experience in utility locating services. The solicitation utilized a best value ranking approach with evaluation criteria weighted at 90 points for price and 10 points for experience, with the lowest bidder receiving maximum price points and experienced bidders receiving proportional points based on experience exceeding the 10-year minimum. Written vendor questions were due January 14, 2021, at 1:30 p.m. ET, with the initial bid due date of January 22, 2021, later extended to January 25, 2021, at 1:30 p.m. ET for electronic submission through the Kentucky eProcurement system.

The procurement offers set-aside preferences for qualified bidders, including Kentucky Correctional Industries, Kentucky Industries for the Blind, and qualified nonprofit agencies for individuals with severe disabilities that meet specific employment requirements of at least 75 percent direct labor hours. Kentucky resident bidders are eligible for reciprocal preference consideration. All bidders must complete the Annual Affidavit for Bidders, Offerors and Contractors demonstrating compliance with Kentucky statutes regarding campaign finance laws, sales and use tax registration, state tax obligations, and boycott prohibitions. The contract will be awarded to a single vendor on a best value basis for an initial one-year period from the date of award, with four optional one-year renewal periods subject to written approval and potential renegotiation of terms and conditions. Pricing must be submitted on an F.O.B. Destination Freight Prepaid and Allowed basis, exclusive of federal excise taxes and Kentucky sales or use taxes, with prices remaining firm for a minimum of 60 days after the bid due date. While specific budget allocation is not explicitly stated in the solicitation documents, the contract scope and hours of service (approximately 120 total estimated hours) provide the basis for cost evaluation through competitive bidding.