SWC 820 – Debris Removal Services - UPDATED

The State of Tennessee Department of General Services, Central Procurement Office, is requesting proposals for statewide emergency debris removal services under RFP 32110-82026, with proposals due September 4, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Central Time. The state intends to award up to three contracts to provide statewide coverage of debris removal operations that may qualify for FEMA Public Assistance reimbursement.

Services encompass removal and disposal of vegetative debris, construction and demolition debris, white goods, hazardous trees, stumps, household hazardous waste, infectious waste, earthen materials, trailers, vessels, vehicles, and waterway debris across the entire State of Tennessee. Respondents must provide pricing for 59 line items spanning multiple debris categories, haul routes, and size classifications; all line items must be bid. The pricing structure includes unit rates for cubic yards, per-tree operations, per-unit measures, per-pound, per-day staging, and linear-mile sweeping. The state estimates total purchases during the contract term at one billion dollars, though this represents an estimate with no guaranteed minimum purchase.

Contractors must possess and maintain an HC-H and HC-5 license, or an HC license, from the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance at the time of RFP submission, with a minimum monetary limit of $1 million. Performance and Payment Bonds are required per job activation, sized based on each assignment's estimated value. The contract term is thirty-six months from the effective date, with options for up to two one-year renewals and potential extension up to 180 days, not to exceed sixty months total. All disposal and tipping fees are reimbursed as actual costs by Authorized Users.

Evaluation criteria weight general qualifications and experience at 20 points maximum, technical qualifications, experience, and approach at 50 points maximum, and cost proposal at 30 points maximum. Technical evaluations are scheduled for completion by September 25, 2026; cost proposals will be opened and scored September 28, 2026. Optional negotiations are scheduled September 29 through October 2, with Notice of Intent to Award released October 5, 2026. The state maintains an aspirational goal of 18% utilization of GO-BID-certified businesses but imposes no set-asides or minimum participation requirements.