Vendor contract for topsoil delivery

The City of Milwaukee is procuring a three-year vendor contract for topsoil delivery services, with two optional one-year extensions available upon mutual agreement, on behalf of Milwaukee County and the City of Milwaukee. The solicitation, designated as Bid/RFP #21141 Rebid #2, seeks bids for the delivery of natural, fertile topsoil meeting USDA Sandy Loam specifications across three geographic service areas: Milwaukee North, Milwaukee South, and Milwaukee Central, with an estimated annual quantity of 2,150 cubic yards per service area. The topsoil must meet rigorous quality standards including specific particle size distributions (minimum 30% sand, minimum 10% silt, maximum 35% clay), a pH range of 6.5 to 7.5, organic matter content of at least 4% by weight, and documented phosphorus and potassium levels; successful bidders must maintain a minimum stockpile of 3,000 cubic yards at bidding and preserve 200 cubic yards in reserve throughout the contract term. Delivery must occur within 48 hours of order placement to five designated Department of Public Works locations during specified business hours, with daily delivery capabilities of 150 to 480 cubic yards, and all soil mixing must be performed at the contractor's yard using appropriate equipment. Bidders are required to submit soil analysis results from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Soil Science laboratory or similarly accredited institution, including particle size distribution from minimum three random samples and comprehensive chemical analysis. Bids must be submitted electronically through the Bonfire portal by Thursday, April 14, 2026, at 4:30 PM CT, with award made by line item or in total to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder based on unit prices quoted per cubic yard for each service area.

The solicitation includes mandatory Small Business Enterprise (SBE) participation requirements of 25% in accordance with City of Milwaukee Ordinance Chapter 370 Section 5, with all prime contractors and subcontractors required to submit a completed Contractor Compliance Plan (Form A) and provide proof of active, non-expired SBE certification from the City of Milwaukee Office of Equity and Inclusion at bid opening. The City offers additional bid preferences for Local Business Enterprises (LBE), Milwaukee-Made/Milwaukee County-Made/American-Made goods, and Socially Responsible Contractors (SRC), subject to specified percentage thresholds and maximum dollar allowances. Contractors must comply with living wage requirements (minimum $15.00 per hour effective October 11, 2025) and maintain comprehensive insurance coverage including Workers' Compensation at statutory limits, Commercial General Liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 general aggregate, Automobile Liability of $1,000,000 per person and per occurrence, Employer's Liability with $100,000 per accident and $500,000 policy limit, and Umbrella Liability of $5,000,000 per occurrence and aggregate, with all policies including Waiver of Subrogation Endorsements favoring the City. No bid deposit, performance bond, or bid bond is required. While no specific incumbent vendor or award value is listed in the solicitation documents, the estimated annual quantity of 2,150 cubic yards per service area across three service areas provides a baseline for determining contract value based on the unit prices submitted by responsive bidders.