REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL / MARKET INFORMATION
HYDROVAC EXCAVATION SERVICES
Issued By: Utilities Department, City of Vernal
Date of Issuance: June 25, 2026
1. Purpose & Objective
The City of Vernal Utilities Department is seeking proposals and market pricing from qualified contractors regarding the availability and cost of hydrovac excavation services. The City is currently evaluating the feasibility of utilizing contracted services as an alternative to purchasing, maintaining, and operating a City-owned hydrovac truck.
To make an informed, data-driven decision, the City intends to utilize contracted services on an as-needed trial basis. This request is issued solely to gauge market interest and determine competitive pricing; it does not obligate the City to enter into a contract or award work. Due to the variable nature of utility operations, the City anticipates utilizing multiple qualified vendors and does not intend to award an exclusive contract at this time.
2. Scope of Work
The City requires qualified operators and fully equipped hydrovac trucks to perform intermittent, utility-related excavation and support work. This includes, but is not limited to:
Daylighting underground utilities (potholing)
Water and sewer utility repair excavations
Main valve, water meter, and service line exposures
Confined-space or limited-access excavation support
Emergency utility break/leak response work
Miscellaneous public works and stormwater excavation support
Work will occur unpredictably throughout the year and will encompass both planned, scheduled projects and urgent emergency responses.
3. Requested Information & Submission Format
Interested contractors must provide a formal response detailing the following components:
A. Company Profile
Official company name and business address
Primary contact person (Name, Title, Phone, Email)
Number of years providing commercial hydrovac services
A brief statement of safety record/policy (OSHA compliance)
B. Equipment & Operational Capabilities
Number, type, and age of hydrovac units in your local fleet
Technical specifications of available equipment (tank size, water capacity, CFM/vacuum power, boom reach)
Standard mobilization response times for scheduled work vs. short-notice emergencies
C. Rate Sheet & Pricing Structure
Please provide a comprehensive, transparent breakdown of your rates:
Standard hourly rate (Truck + Operator)
Hourly rate for an additional swamper/laborer (if required or requested)
Minimum hourly charge per mobilization or callout
Premium rates (Overtime, after-hours, weekends, and holidays)
Travel, portal-to-portal, or standby charges (if applicable)
Emergency response premium rates (less than 4-hour notice)
Fuel surcharges or miscellaneous fees (must be explicitly defined)
4. Spoils Disposal & Environmental Requirements
City Site Disposal: At the start of each assignment, the contractor's debris tank may be inspected by City personnel. If the tank is certified empty and free of oils, hydrocarbons, or other environmental contaminants, the contractor will be permitted to dispose of the job's spoils at a designated City facility at no cost.
Contaminated Materials: If a tank contains remnants of oil, hydrocarbons, or hazardous materials from a previous job, or if contaminated soils are encountered during the City excavation, the contractor is solely responsible for lawful disposal at a certified, approved third-party facility.
Cost Exclusions: The City will not pay for disposal fees, additional travel time, or hauling costs associated with handling pre-existing or contractor-introduced contaminated materials.
5. Work Expectations & City Protections
The frequency, duration, and volume of work will vary significantly based on seasonal needs and utility failures. Consequently, the City of Vernal makes no guarantees regarding:
Minimum or maximum volume of work
Frequency of service requests
Guaranteed minimum annual hours or billings
Exclusivity of services
6. Insurance & Compliance Requirements
Respondents must confirm they can provide a Certificate of Insurance (COI) meeting or exceeding the following minimums prior to starting any work:
General Liability: $1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate
Automobile Liability: $1,000,000 combined single limit
Workers' Compensation: Statutory limits as required by the State of Utah
7. Submission Details
Please submit your response electronically via email or via physical mail to:
Ivan Merrell, Utilities Superintendent
City of Vernal Utilities Department
374 East Main St., Vernal, UT 84078
Email: imerrell@vernal.gov
Phone: (435) 781-7132
Response Deadline: July 9, 2026, by 5:00 PM MDT
8. Reserved Rights of the City
The City of Vernal explicitly reserves the right to:
Request clarifying information or interviews from any respondent
Accept or reject any or all submissions in whole or in part
Utilize multiple separate contractors simultaneously based on rates, real-time availability, and project value
Proceed with the independent purchase of City-owned equipment at any time without penalty or obligation to respondents
Notice of Special Accommodations (ADA)
NOTE: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals needing special accommodations during this meeting should notify Ivan Merrell at 374 East Main, Vernal, Utah 84078, telephone: 789-2255.