Septic Tank & Vault Pumping Services - MDOT Grand Region

The Michigan Department of Transportation is soliciting proposals under RFP 270000000140 for septic tank and vault pumping at Grand Region rest areas and roadside parks, with a mandatory pre-proposal meeting on November 2, 2026 and proposals due November 12, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern. Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business status will be considered if applicable. Bidders must hold current EGLE licensure for septage waste servicing and licensed septage waste vehicles, documented at submission. The State evaluates responsive proposals on a Pass/Fail basis and awards to the lowest bidder meeting all criteria.

Work is performed as needed on request from the MDOT Program Manager and must be completed within 24 hours of contact. Contractors locate and open tanks, remove all liquid, sludge, and scum from every compartment, inspect components, remove vault concrete lids where necessary, extract trash and debris, and disinfect interiors with bleach or equivalent. Septage must go to an EGLE-authorized receiving facility or be land-applied under state and federal law, with receipt documentation required for invoicing. Contractors must supply owned equipment available at contract start, maintain backup equipment, and designate a Program Manager and Emergency Contact. Required insurance includes $1 million per occurrence commercial general liability, $1 million per accident automobile liability, and $1 million per occurrence environmental and pollution liability, with insurers rated A- VII or higher unless DTMB Enterprise Risk Management approves otherwise.

The contract term is three years with two one-year renewal options at the State's sole discretion, effective approximately December 1, 2026. Bidders price a fee per occurrence for each location and may price only the counties and locations they can service. Quantities are estimates, and the State is not obligated to purchase in those quantities. Multiple contracts may be awarded, and preference may be given to bidders able to service all locations. Pricing is firm for 365-day periods, with adjustments permitted only on documented cost changes by mutual negotiation. Payment is Net 45 unless the contractor offers quick-pay discounts. Late or improper completion incurs liquidated damages of $500 plus $50 per day for each day a deficiency remains unremedied. Contracts of $500,000 or more require State Administrative Board approval.

Written questions are due November 4, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern, with answers posted by 5:00 p.m. that day. The pre-proposal meeting runs November 2, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern via Microsoft Teams, limited to two representatives per bidder. Proposals are submitted electronically through the SIGMA VSS system, and late submissions are disqualified. A signed Confidential Treatment Form is required regardless of whether confidential treatment is requested. Proposed contract changes must be submitted as Word track changes with justifications in comments, and failure to justify may result in disqualification.