Snow plowing and DE-icing services for downtown district

The Town of Manchester, Connecticut is soliciting bids for snow plowing, snow removal, and de-icing services to augment municipal forces for the Downtown District during the 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 winter seasons, with bids due August 14, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. and a question deadline of August 10, 2026.

The scope includes snow plowing, snow removal, de-icing operations, parking lot maintenance at twelve designated locations, and sidewalk clearing at sixteen designated locations. Contractors must provide all equipment, operators, fuel, insurance, and cellular phones; the Town supplies salt mixture for de-icing only when the Highway Division is working. Contractors must meet a one-hour response time to call-outs, with a $200 penalty per late arrival. Equipment inspections may be required within ten business days of award, conducted between 7:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. All drivers must comply with CDL requirements and 49 CFR Part 382 drug and alcohol testing; successful bidders must complete a Drug and Alcohol Testing Program Compliance Questionnaire within five business days of award.

The contract term runs October 15 through April 15 for two winter seasons, with options to extend for two additional seasons (2028/2029 and 2029/2030) at the same terms and conditions. Pricing shall be submitted as lump sum amounts for total compensation per winter season, with payment in six equal monthly installments from November through April. Annual price adjustments will be made based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index. Additional work beyond the specific scope is billed at hourly rates.

Contractors must maintain comprehensive insurance: workers' compensation with minimum employer liability of $500,000 per accident, commercial general liability of $1,000,000 combined single limit, automobile liability of $1,000,000, and umbrella coverage of $1,000,000. The Town of Manchester Living Wage Ordinance applies: contractors must pay $18.25 per hour with comprehensive health benefits or $26.70 per hour without benefits for eligible employees, triggered when annual contract value exceeds $25,000 and the contractor employs 25 or more eligible employees. Exemptions are available for smaller employers, lower contract values, or qualifying nonprofits. Bidders must submit a Living Wage Certification Form, detailed equipment lists, manpower proposals, backup equipment information, references, IRS Form W-9, and a Drug and Alcohol Questionnaire. Responses must be submitted electronically through the Town's OpenGov portal; a virtual bid opening via Zoom will be conducted August 14 at 11:00 a.m.