Re-Bid for Motor Fleet On-Call Towing Services

GASTON COUNTY SPECIFICATIONS

FOR

MOTOR FLEET ON-CALL TOWING SERVICES

RE-ADVERTISE DATE: July 26, 2026

PROPOSALS DUE: August 21, 2026

The Gaston County Public Works Department is soliciting proposals from qualified towing services providers to establish a set pricing structure and a vendor source for Gaston County motor fleet towing services. This agreement is not connected in any way with the current Wrecker Rotation Callout System currently in use for police/fire/emergency services for wrecks, DUI, abandonment, etc. of public vehicles.

Sealed proposals are due no later than 3:00 pm on August 21, 2026 and may be mailed or hand delivered to: Gaston County Public Works, Motor Fleet On-Call Towing Services Proposals, 420 E Long Ave., Gastonia, NC 28054. Please allow additional time for mail delivery. It is the responsibility of the prospective vendor to ensure that his/her proposal is delivered by the due date and time. Proposals must be submitted on the enclosed proposal forms. Bidders are to submit one (1) original bid package. All questions should be directed to Wilson Lemly at email: Wilson.lemly@gastongov.com.

It is the intent of Gaston County to enter into an agreement with the successful vendor beginning October 1, 2026. The term of the agreement will be for two (2) years, with the option for one (1) additional year renewal at Gaston County's discretion.

General Qualifications

Interested vendors should have:

At least 2 professional references with names and contact information

Relevant detailed experience to outline previous projects of similar scope to include business name, brief description and contract value

Registration with the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles

Ability to perform basic and heavy towing services 24/7 as needed

Appropriate permits, certifications, and licenses

Current NCDOT inspection on all towing vehicles

Compliance with state and local regulations governing the towing industry

The following minimum insurance coverage in force for the full term of the agreement. Note: Additional insurance may be requested.

Interested vendors should have drivers who:

Are at least 21 years of age

Possess an appropriate driver license as required by NC Statutes

Can communicate effectively with Gaston County staff

Are not engaged in the use, possession, or sale of alcoholic beverages while on duty or illegal drugs at any time

Towing Parameters

Provide 24-hour on-call service each day of the year and employ an adequate number of drivers who are competent in extricating and towing vehicles to properly perform the services of this agreement.

Provide towing services in a reasonable amount of time, deemed as 1 hour within the County border. Repeated failure to respond to a tow request in the previously stated reasonable amount of time may result in the termination of the towing contract for non-performance.

Pricing should be submitted on the Towing Rates pricing schedule provided in Exhibit A. Pricing structure will remain the same for the initial two (2) year term and the optional one (1) year extension.

Assessment of Proposals

All proposals to be considered must be submitted on the enclosed "Gaston County Motor Fleet Towing Services" form. Any proposal submitted on forms other than the form enclosed will not be considered or scored.

Proposals will be scored based on a point system for each of the pricing options. Points will be based on the number of bids received. Scoring will range from highest to lowest points, with the highest points given to the lowest rates. Points from each vendor's Towing Rates Pricing Schedule will be compiled for a grand total and used as the "Pricing Score."

Scoring will be completed by a committee and be based on the following categories:

Overall pricing score (grand total points given from Towing Cost Proposal Form Exhibit A (40%)

Types of towing vehicles available to meet the needs based on Gaston County motor fleet (30%)

General qualifications, such as experience, licenses, and references (30%)

Award of Contract

The County reserves the right to make multiple awards and establish a primary and secondary vendor rotation based on operational needs.

Primary Contractor: The lowest responsive, responsible bidder.

Secondary Contractor: The second lowest responsive, responsible bidder.

The Primary Contractor will receive first call for all non-emergency towing requests. The Secondary Contractor will be contacted when the Primary Contractor is unavailable, fails to respond within the required timeframe, or does not have required equipment.

Escalation: if neither the Primary nor Secondary Contractor is available, the County reserves the right to contact the next lowest responsive bidder or any available provider.

Performance Monitoring: Failure to respond within the required timeframes on multiple occasions may result in reassignment of primary status or contract termination.

These bids are requested in good faith, and an award will be made, provided satisfactory bids are received.

Gaston County reserves the right to reject any or all bids, or to accept a bid other than the lowest submitted if such action deemed to be in the best interest of the County.

V. General Contract Terms and Conditions

Contract will be made effective October 1, 2026. This Request for Proposals (RFP) will be integrated into the contract.

Non-Appropriation

In the event funds are not appropriated during the term of the Agreement for the subject matter herein described, and there are no other available funds by or with which payment can be made, this Agreement is terminated. This Agreement will be deemed terminated on the last day of the fiscal period for which appropriations were received without penalty or expense, except to the portion of payment for which funds have been appropriated and budgeted.

Divestment Acts

The undersigned certifies that it is not designated as a company engaged in the boycott of Israel by the State Treasurer nor is the company on the Final Divestment List (Iran Divestment Act) created by the state Treasurer pursuant to Chapter147 of the Noth Carolina General Statutes.

North Carolina E-Verify Certification

By signing and entering into the Agreement with Gaston County, pursuant to Article 2 of Chapter 64 of the N.C. General Statutes, I hereby certify that I comply with E-Verify, the Federal program used to verify the work authorization of newly hired employees working in North Carolina. If applicable, I am also certifying that any subcontractor hired or used by me will comply with E-Verify, as described herein.

ADA and Civil Right Certification of Compliance

I hereby certify that I comply with all applicable federal civil rights laws, including the applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Right for County to Audit

During the term of this Agreement and for one (1) year after termination, the County shall have the right to audit, internally or through an independent auditor, all books and records pertaining to this Agreement of the vendor as needed to evaluate the vendor's compliance with the terms and conditions of the Agreement or a party's payment obligations. The County shall pay its own expenses for such audit but shall not pay any expenses or additional costs of the vendor associated with such audit. However, such expenses shall be paid to the County if the audit reveals non-compliance that would have cost the County excess of $10,000 but for the audit. The County has the right to seek remittance for overpayment arising from the vendors' non-compliance or irregularities with the performance of the Agreement. Specific audit provisions established in the Agreement will supersede this paragraph.

Conflict of Interest

Gaston County's Conflict of Interest Policy relative to contracts and subawards supported by federal financial assistance can be found at this link: . This Policy is applicable to County public officials and employees involved in making or administering contracts or subawards, and the Contractor receiving a contract or subaward from Gaston County.

EXHIBIT A

Gaston County Towing Cost Proposal Form 2025

Bid Submitted by: ________________________________

Company Name

Proposers Representatives

_________________________________________ Date: _______________________

Name of Qualified Representative to Submit a Bid

Telephone Number: _____________________ E-mail: ___________________________

Federal Tax ID No. ______________________________

NC Contractor Type & License No.__________________

Proposer offers the Owner's consideration and uses the following proposal form. Costs to the Owner includes all costs, including those for materials, labor, equipment, tools of trades and labor, fees, taxes, insurance, bonding, overhead, profit, etc. to complete the work as outlined. The contractor must quote ALL SERVICES. Total pricing score will be based on a points system with most points given to the lowest bidder. There will be one award for this bid.

TOWING RATES PRICING SCHEDULE

All pricing must be fully inclusive. No additional fees will be paid unless disclosed in the submitted quote. Bidder certifies they can provide equipment in good working order and maintain legally required lights and other safety equipment. Bidder also certifies they can provide Class A and Class B equipment.

DATE ______________________

SIGNATURE ______________________________

PRINTED NAME ____________________________ TITLE_________________________

COMPANY _______________________________

Appendix A

General Information:

Drivers, supervisors, Public Safety officials and Gaston County Fleet are authorized to request services.

Services will be requested by phone.

County vehicles will need to be towed directly to the County Fleet Maintenance Facility. There may be times when vehicles may need to be towed from the Fleet Maintenance Facility to an outside vendor for repairs. However, the vendor is not responsible for storage of County vehicles.

Either Public Safety or the requestor will be on scene to assist with directions to safely load the vehicle.

The contractor should have the capacity to support a fleet of 750-800 rolling assets, ranging from small sedans to large Freightliner M2 ambulances.