Winter Season Snow Plow and Removal Service for City Parking.

The City of Madison Parking Utility issued Request for Bid #8963-0-2020-AH for comprehensive winter season snow plowing and removal services for city-owned parking garages and lots. The procurement requires an external contractor to manage snow removal operations at six parking garages and six parking lots, utilizing specific equipment including 10 sixteen-yard dump trucks, 4 skid-steer loaders, 2 large end loaders, and 6 small snow plows. Snow removal services are limited to weekdays between 4:30 p.m. and 7 a.m. and anytime on weekends, with contractors required to provide three hours advance notice before operations commence. Bidders must submit all-inclusive, not-to-exceed fixed fees for equipment types and supervisor hourly rates, along with per-truckload dumping fees. Key evaluation criteria included hourly rates for equipment, operational capabilities, and compliance with detailed specifications such as using hard rubber plow blade lower edges in garage facilities and maintaining specific insurance coverages. The bid solicitation was posted on August 31, 2020, with questions due by September 5, 2020, and final bids due September 14, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. CST via electronic submission.

The contract does not appear to have specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged businesses, and the solicitation explicitly noted no preference points would be awarded for women-owned businesses under this Request for Bid format. The contract term covers snow seasons for 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, with three optional one-year renewals available. Tom's Bobcat & Concrete Removal Services was ultimately awarded the contract, with their bid significantly lower than another competitor, Snow Systems. The contractor must maintain a performance bond of $50,000 and carry comprehensive insurance, including $1,000,000 in Commercial General Liability and Automobile Liability. Liquidated damages are structured at $10 per space per day for lots and $14 per space per day for ramps for failure to meet specifications. The total expected equipment cost over the contract term was estimated at approximately $14,567.49, with hourly rates ranging from $110 for supervisors to $440 for large end loaders. The City of Madison will provide a primary snow dump site at the old Bowman Field parking lot, with the contractor responsible for securing alternative dump sites if needed.