3.2.1 GENERAL: The Contractor shall furnish fully operational vehicles, qualified operators, and appropriate field supervision to support County snow and ice control operations during declared weather events. The primary obligation of the Contractor is to ensure that all assigned routes remain safe, passable, and serviceable for the duration of the event. Contractors must report to the designated staging area with approved vehicles and personnel at the time specified by the Department of Public Works & Transportation (DPW&T) and remain in continuous operation until the County’s Authorized Representative declares the cleanup complete and formally relieves the Contractor from duty. Vehicles and operators provided must meet all County-specified technical, mechanical, and operational standards. Throughout all phases of a weather event, Contractors are required to maintain consistent route patrols, apply materials as directed, and escalate to plowing operations when conditions warrant. All main travel lanes on assigned routes must be cleared within two (2) hours following the end of active precipitation, unless otherwise instructed by the County. Contractors are expected to maintain full operational readiness 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during the season, including the ability to respond rapidly to call-outs, provide backup operators, and deploy additional resources in severe or emergency conditions. Failure to meet the required response times, adhere to performance benchmarks, or maintain proper staffing levels will result in the assessment of liquidated damages and may subject the Contractor to partial or full termination of the agreement. The Contractor must submit a certified list of all available equipment proposed for use under this contract, including vehicle identification numbers (VINs), license plate numbers, and clear photographs of each unit. All equipment must be fully operational, compliant with contract specifications, and made available for inspection by the County within 72 hours of request. At least 80% of the proposed equipment must be owned by the Contractor or secured under binding lease agreements at the time of bid submission. All equipment listed for use under this contract must be exclusively dedicated to Prince George’s County during declared snow emergencies. Vehicles that are committed to other jurisdictions or private entities will not be permitted unless the Contractor has obtained prior written authorization from the County and a clear understanding of shared use and availability has been established. The County reserves the right to inspect and validate all proposed equipment prior to contract award. Any bidder whose equipment fails to meet the required specifications during inspection, or who is found to have misrepresented the condition, availability, or ownership of their fleet, will be disqualified from the procurement process. At the County’s discretion, such bidders may also be barred from participating in future solicitations.
