Environmental remediation bidding requires specialized knowledge of hazardous materials, regulatory requirements, and disposal logistics. This guide helps remediation contractors win profitable cleanup projects.
Understanding Remediation Bid Documents
Project Documents
Key Documents
- Phase I/II Environmental Site Assessments
- Remedial Investigation reports
- Remedial Action Plans
- Work Plans
- Specifications
Information to Extract
- Contamination types
- Contamination extent
- Cleanup standards
- Disposal requirements
- Regulatory framework
Regulatory Framework
Key Regulations
- CERCLA (Superfund)
- RCRA
- State cleanup programs
- Local requirements
- OSHA standards
Compliance Requirements
- Permits
- Notifications
- Documentation
- Reporting
- Closure requirements
Types of Remediation Work
Soil Remediation
Methods
- Excavation and disposal
- In-situ treatment
- Soil vapor extraction
- Bioremediation
- Thermal treatment
Considerations
- Contamination extent
- Contamination type
- Site constraints
- Cleanup standards
- Cost effectiveness
Groundwater Remediation
Methods
- Pump and treat
- In-situ treatment
- Monitored natural attenuation
- Permeable reactive barriers
- Air sparging
Factors
- Plume extent
- Contaminant type
- Hydrogeology
- Treatment duration
- Monitoring requirements
Asbestos Abatement
Scope
- Survey and assessment
- Containment setup
- Material removal
- Air monitoring
- Disposal
Regulations
- OSHA standards
- EPA NESHAP
- State requirements
- Local permits
Lead Remediation
Applications
- Lead paint removal
- Lead-contaminated soil
- Industrial lead cleanup
Requirements
- RRP rule compliance
- Worker protection
- Waste characterization
- Disposal requirements
Site Assessment
Pre-Bid Investigation
Activities
- Site visit
- Document review
- Sampling (if allowed)
- Regulatory research
- Stakeholder meetings
Information Needed
- Contamination extent
- Site access
- Existing infrastructure
- Regulatory status
- Schedule constraints
Uncertainty Factors
Common Unknowns
- Full contamination extent
- Hidden contamination
- Subsurface conditions
- Regulatory changes
- Disposal acceptance
Risk Management
- Contingency pricing
- Unit price items
- Change order provisions
- Allowances
Quantity Estimation
Soil Volumes
Calculations
- Contaminated area
- Depth of contamination
- Swell factor
- Segregation requirements
Factors
- Characterization data
- Clean backfill needs
- Disposal categories
- Stockpile requirements
Groundwater Volumes
Estimates
- Treatment duration
- Flow rates
- Treatment capacity
- Disposal volumes
Waste Categories
Classifications
- Non-hazardous
- Hazardous (characteristic)
- Hazardous (listed)
- Special waste
- Radioactive
Impact on Pricing
- Disposal costs
- Transportation requirements
- Treatment needs
- Documentation
Pricing Components
Labor
Categories
- Project management
- Site supervision
- Health and safety staff
- Equipment operators
- Laborers
- Technicians
Factors
- HAZWOPER requirements
- Medical surveillance
- PPE requirements
- Specialty certifications
Equipment
Major Equipment
- Excavation equipment
- Treatment systems
- Air monitoring
- Containment materials
- Decontamination systems
Cost Considerations
- Contamination risk
- Decontamination
- Specialized equipment
- Mobilization
Disposal Costs
Factors
- Waste classification
- Distance to facility
- Facility acceptance
- Transportation method
- Documentation
Typical Ranges
- Non-hazardous: $30-80/ton
- Hazardous: $150-500/ton
- Special waste: varies widely
Health and Safety
Cost Items
- Health and safety plan
- Air monitoring
- PPE supplies
- Medical surveillance
- Training
Common Bidding Mistakes
Scope Underestimation
Watch For
- Full extent unknown
- Hidden contamination
- Analytical costs
- Documentation requirements
- Regulatory delays
Disposal Cost Errors
Common Issues
- Waste classification changes
- Distance to facilities
- Facility acceptance
- Volume estimates
- Special handling
Regulatory Oversights
Check Carefully
- Permit requirements
- Notification periods
- Documentation needs
- Closure requirements
- Long-term obligations
Health and Safety
HAZWOPER Requirements
Training Levels
- 40-hour initial
- 8-hour supervisor
- 8-hour refresher
- Site-specific training
Medical Requirements
- Baseline physicals
- Annual monitoring
- Exit physicals
- Fit testing
Site Safety Plans
Components
- Hazard analysis
- PPE requirements
- Monitoring plan
- Emergency procedures
- Decontamination procedures
Cost Factors
- Plan development
- Implementation
- Monitoring
- Documentation
Personal Protective Equipment
Levels
- Level A: Full encapsulation
- Level B: Supplied air, splash protection
- Level C: Air purifying, splash protection
- Level D: Standard work clothes
Cost Impact
- Equipment costs
- Productivity reduction
- Heat stress management
- Disposable supplies
Treatment Technologies
Ex-Situ Treatment
Options
- Thermal desorption
- Soil washing
- Bioremediation
- Stabilization
- Incineration
Considerations
- Contaminant type
- Volume
- Cleanup standards
- Cost effectiveness
- Schedule
In-Situ Treatment
Options
- Bioremediation
- Chemical oxidation
- Soil vapor extraction
- Air sparging
- Phytoremediation
Advantages
- Less disturbance
- Lower disposal costs
- Continuous treatment
- Less material handling
Groundwater Treatment
Technologies
- Carbon adsorption
- Air stripping
- Chemical precipitation
- UV oxidation
- Membrane treatment
Long-Term Obligations
Monitoring Requirements
Components
- Monitoring well network
- Sampling frequency
- Analytical parameters
- Reporting requirements
- Duration
Cost Factors
- Well installation/maintenance
- Sampling costs
- Analytical costs
- Reporting costs
Institutional Controls
Types
- Deed restrictions
- Environmental covenants
- Land use controls
- Engineering controls
Obligations
- Implementation
- Maintenance
- Reporting
- Duration
Public Project Requirements
Prevailing Wage
Classifications
- Laborers
- Operating engineers
- Hazmat workers
- Truck drivers
Compliance
- Certified payroll
- Correct classifications
- Documentation
Performance Requirements
Typical Items
- Performance bonds
- Environmental insurance
- Letters of credit
- Financial assurance
Documentation
Requirements
- Work plans
- Progress reports
- Analytical data
- Disposal documentation
- Closure reports
Technology in Remediation Bidding
Estimating Tools
Software
- HCSS HeavyBid
- Custom databases
- GIS mapping
- Cost databases
Features
- Unit pricing
- Disposal databases
- Equipment rates
- Report generation
Site Characterization
Technologies
- GPS/GIS mapping
- 3D modeling
- Real-time analytics
- Remote sensing
Competitive Strategies
Differentiation
Beyond Price
- Technical expertise
- Safety record
- Regulatory relationships
- Equipment capabilities
Risk Management
Strategies
- Unit pricing
- Allowances
- Change provisions
- Insurance coverage
Conclusion
Successful environmental remediation bidding requires understanding of contamination, regulations, and disposal logistics. Assess sites thoroughly. Price disposal accurately. Include all compliance costs. Manage uncertainty appropriately.
The remediation contractors who win profitable work demonstrate technical expertise, regulatory knowledge, and safe execution.
ConstructionBids.ai helps environmental remediation contractors find cleanup opportunities for government, industrial, and commercial sites.
