Sewer Backup Cleanup Services

The Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati (MSDGC) is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for sewer backup cleanup services across Hamilton County, Ohio, with the primary objective of securing water damage restoration contractors for residential, commercial, and institutional buildings impacted by sewer system backups. Contractors must possess an IICRC Category 3 Black Water certification and demonstrate the ability to respond to cleanup jobs within two hours of callout, operating on a 24/7/52-week basis with capacity to deploy up to 50 crews during large rain event emergencies. Required services include wet vacuuming, mopping and disinfecting floors and walls, flushing and disinfecting plumbing fixtures, removal of damaged and contaminated goods, and other water damage restoration work performed according to IICRC standards. The RFP was released on December 18, 2025, with questions and comments due by January 2, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time, and proposal submissions due January 15, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Evaluation will occur between January 15 and February 5, 2026, with criteria weighted across experience and expertise (20%), qualifications of key personnel (20%), project management plan (20%), cost and budget (20%), and compliance with industry standards and regulations (20%).

The contract opportunity includes robust provisions for Small Business Enterprises, Minority Owned Business Enterprises, Women Owned Business Enterprises, Veteran-Owned Business Enterprises, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, with the City intending to generate competition to the maximum extent practicable. All selected contractors must be registered as vendors with the City of Cincinnati and comply with MSDGC's Equal Employment Opportunity Program and non-discrimination requirements. Contractors will be required to pay an administrative fee of one percent of total contract sales, which will be billed quarterly and due within 45 days of invoice. While specific contract award value is not explicitly stated, contractors must submit pricing using a provided pricing sheet that includes unit pricing for various service categories such as concrete and surface cleaning, labor-content cleaning, water extraction and remediation, debris removal, and subcontractor work. All proposals must be submitted electronically through the City's Bonfire portal, and contractors must provide documentation of authorization appropriate to their legal entity type, including corporate resolutions, operating agreements, or partnership agreements.