Greenville Utilities Commission is soliciting sealed bids for the provision of directional boring services for the installation and replacement of underground power cable and conduits in residential and commercial developments. The contractor must supply all necessary labor, tools, and equipment to constitute an independent crew capable of performing directional boring operations.
Scope of Work: The contractor will install conduits of various sizes (1-inch through 6-inch flexible conduit) along streets, roads, and utility easements at depths between 3 feet minimum and 5 feet maximum using steerable horizontal tunneling (directional boring) methods. The work includes site restoration and repairs for any damage caused by the contractor's operations. Materials will be supplied by GUC and picked up by the contractor at the GUC Operations Center at 701 Utility Way. Billing is generally on a per-unit basis unless approved by GUC personnel prior to work commencement.
Key Requirements: The contractor must provide a minimum four-person crew to maintain steady production and site restoration. The directional boring machine must have 17,000/20,000 pound thrust/pull-back capacity with 500 feet of boring rod and cannot exceed 10 years in age. A vacuum system capable of removing spoils and pot-holing facilities is required. The crew leader will receive detailed construction plans for each job prior to commencement, and job sites will be staked by GUC personnel with frequent monitoring for progress and quality control. The contractor must provide 72 hours' notice to the Utilities Locating Company (1-800-632-4949) prior to each assignment.
Work Schedule and Safety: Work is limited to 40 hours per week during GUC's normal working hours (7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays). All activities must comply with North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Standards, the National Electrical Safety Code, APPA Safety Manual, and North Carolina Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. All employees must wear contractor-identifying uniforms (8 shirts: 4 short-sleeve and 4 long-sleeve). The contractor is responsible for all costs resulting from its negligence, including damage to utilities or customer-owned facilities.
Insurance and Compliance: The contractor must provide proof of Comprehensive General Liability Insurance ($1,000,000 minimum on an occurrence basis) with Broad Form Property Damage Endorsement, Automobile Liability Insurance ($1,000,000 minimum), and Workers' Compensation Insurance as required by North Carolina law with employer's liability coverage ($1,000,000 minimum). E-Verify compliance is required for all employees, and the contractor must maintain employees for minimum 12 months continuous service. Three professional references with contact information must be provided.
Contract Duration and Terms: GUC intends to enter into a multi-year contract with a total contract period not to exceed five years. Prices shall remain fixed during the first year with options for annual extensions at the same or negotiated unit prices for up to four additional years if market and service conditions warrant.