Merrillville IN Disaster Debris Removal and Disposal Services

The Town of Merrillville, Indiana is requesting proposals for disaster debris removal and disposal services following severe storms in August 2026, with proposals due October 12, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. CST via the DFS Procurement Portal at dfs.bonfirehub.com. Award is anticipated at a public Town Council meeting on October 13, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall.

The scope encompasses clearing, separating, loading, and hauling FEMA-eligible debris from Town-maintained rights of way to approved disposal sites. Services include vegetative debris reduction via grinding, chipping, or burning; construction and demolition debris removal; hazardous tree and limb removal; and operation of temporary debris reduction sites. Estimated line items include approximately 9,000 cubic yards of vegetative debris hauling, 250 cubic yards of ditch and drainage clearing, 250 cubic yards of limited-access area hauling, and 131 cubic yards of C&D hauling. Proposals must include unit rates for all applicable line items; failure to bid certain items may result in rejection. The contract will be awarded on an initial 120-day basis with potential extension to one year, followed by three additional optional one-year extensions at the Town's discretion.

Evaluation criteria carry the following weights: contractor experience and past performance (25 percent), proposal and work plan quality (30 percent), cost (35 percent), references (10 percent), and optional interviews (up to 20 percent). The contractor must obtain bid security of not less than 5 percent of the contract amount prior to submission and performance bonds for 100 percent of the awarded amount before work commences. Required insurance includes Commercial General Liability of $2 million aggregate/$1 million per occurrence, Comprehensive Automobile Liability of $1 million combined single limit, and Worker's Compensation with $1 million employer's liability coverage.

The contract is anticipated to be federally reimbursed through the FEMA Public Assistance Program. The contractor must comply with Davis-Bacon Act prevailing wage requirements where applicable, Executive Order 11246, the Copeland Anti-Kickback Act, and all state and local environmental and regulatory permitting requirements. Questions must be submitted within the Portal; those submitted within 48 hours of the deadline will not be answered.