Hardin Ridge Waste Water Treatment Plant Operation & Maintenance

Permit / Other

This document is a final National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for the Hardin Ridge Recreation Area Wastewater Treatment Plant, issued by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). It authorizes the discharge of treated sanitary wastewater into Jarrell Hollow to Monroe Reservoir.

• Permit Number: IN0024953

• Effective Date: April 1, 2025

• Expiration Date: March 31, 2030

• Permittee: United States Department of Agriculture – Forest Service

• Facility: Hardin Ridge Recreation Area Wastewater Treatment Plant, Monroe County, Indiana

• Discharge Location: Outfall 001 (Latitude: 39° 00' 53" N, Longitude: 86° 27' 11" W)

• Receiving Waters: Jarrell Hollow to Monroe Reservoir

• Facility Type: Minor federal wastewater treatment plant with a 0.034 MGD average design flow.

• Effluent Limitations: Specific limits are set for parameters including Flow, CBOD5, TSS, Ammonia-nitrogen, Total Phosphorus, pH, Dissolved Oxygen, and E. coli. These are detailed with monthly and weekly averages/maximums.

• Monitoring: Regular monitoring is required for various parameters, with specific frequencies and sample types (e.g., weekly grab sampling).

• Reporting: Monthly reports (DMRs and MROs) are required and must be submitted electronically via NetDMR.

• Operator Certification: The facility must be under the charge of a certified operator.

• Record Retention: Records must be retained for a minimum of three years.

• Reopening Clauses: The permit includes clauses allowing for modification based on wasteload allocations, sludge disposal standards, or new effluent limitations/standards.

• Administrative Review: The permit can be appealed within 15 days of issuance.

This document defines the operational and environmental compliance requirements for the Hardin Ridge Recreation Area Wastewater Treatment Plant. Vendors involved in wastewater treatment, environmental consulting, or related services may find this document relevant for understanding the scope of work, regulatory obligations, and performance standards associated with this facility.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides clarification on a question submitted during the solicitation's question period. Questions received after Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 11 PM ET will not be answered. The IDEM Permit is also attached.

• Question 1: Confirms if specific cost items are to be paid by the contractor.
  • Seeding the treatment plant with activated sludge prior to seasonal opening.
  • Waste activated sludge removal.
  • Bulbs, sleeves, and related consumables for the ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system.
  • Ferric chloride for phosphorus removal.
• Answer 1: Based on the Statement of Work (SOW) sentence, "The operator shall furnish all personnel, labor, equipment, material, chemicals, supplements, tools, supplies, supervision, management, and services, except as may be expressly set forth as Government furnished; and otherwise do all things necessary to or incident to perform and provide the work efforts described in this statement of work," the contractor will pay for the items listed in the question.

This clarification confirms that the contractor is responsible for the cost of the items listed in Question 1, as per the SOW. Bidders should incorporate these costs into their proposals.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation (RFQ) for the Hardin Ridge Wastewater Treatment Plant Operation & Maintenance services at the Hoosier National Forest in Heltonville, Indiana. The acquisition is a Total Small Business Set-Aside.

• Operation and maintenance of the wastewater treatment plant at Hardin Ridge Recreation Area.

• Compliance with IDEM permit #IN 0024953 for wastewater treatment plant operations from April 1st to October 31st annually.

• Weekly inspection of 10 lift stations.

• Submission of Monthly Discharge Monitoring Reports to IDEM.

• Type: Firm-fixed-price requirements contract.

• Period of Performance: One (1) one-year base period and four (4) one-year option periods, not to exceed five (5) years total.

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated, but the North American Industry Classification Standard (NAICS) code is 221320 with a small business size standard of $35 Million.

• Submission Deadline: March 8, 2026, by 11:00 PM Eastern.

• Questions Deadline: March 2, 2026, by 11:00 PM Eastern.

• Evaluation Factors: Award will be made to the offeror representing the best value to the Government, based on the following factors: Technical, Past Performance, Management, and Cost/Price. Technical and Past Performance, when combined, are approximately equal to Cost or Price.

• Submission Method: Email to Joshua Franks at joshua.franks@usda.gov.

• Total Small Business Set-Aside.

• Offerors must have an active entity registration in the System for Award Management (SAM).

• This solicitation incorporates provisions and clauses by reference. Full text is available electronically at www.acquisition.gov.

• Attachments include: Statement of Work (SOW), Schedule Of Items (SOI), Hardin Ridge Vicinity Map, Experience Questionnaire, and Wage Determination 2015-4775.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a vicinity map for the Hardin Ridge Sewage Treatment Plant area within the Hoosier National Forest, Brownstown Ranger District. It provides geographical context for the location.

• The map displays roads, bodies of water (Monroe Lake), recreational areas (Hardin Ridge Rec Area, Fairfax State Rec Area), and specific facilities like the Sewage Treatment Plant and Hardin Ridge Entrance.
• It includes a scale bar indicating distances in miles and a grid system.
• The map is identified as being created by JTI in January 2018.

This map helps potential bidders visualize the location of the Hardin Ridge Sewage Treatment Plant and its surrounding environment. It can be useful for understanding site access, proximity to other facilities or natural features, and general geographical context relevant to any potential work at the site.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Wage Determination issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Standards Administration, Wage and Hour Division, under the Service Contract Act. It specifies the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations in Indiana Counties of Monroe and Owen.

• Lists occupational codes, titles, and corresponding minimum hourly wage rates.
• Includes a section on required fringe benefits.
• Provides information on Executive Orders related to paid sick leave (EO 13706) and minimum wage (EO 13658).
• Details health and welfare benefits, vacation, and holiday pay.
• Outlines specific conditions and exceptions for certain occupations, such as computer employees and air traffic controllers.
• Explains the process for requesting additional classifications and wage rates (conformance process).

Bidders must use this wage determination to ensure they are offering compliant wages and benefits to their employees who will perform work under the contract. It is crucial for accurate cost estimation and proposal development to understand the minimum labor costs associated with the opportunity. Failure to comply with these wage requirements can lead to contract violations.

Statement of Work (SOW)

To perform duties related to the operation and maintenance of the wastewater treatment plant at Hardin Ridge Recreation Area in the Hoosier National Forest.

• Operate and maintain a Class 1, 0.034 MGD extended aeration treatment facility serving a 210-site campground, operational April through October.

• Ensure all systems associated with the treatment plant are clean, maintained, and in proper operating order.

• Conduct all associated testing outlined in the IDEM permit # IN0024953.

• Furnish all personnel, labor, equipment, material, chemicals, supplements, tools, supplies, supervision, management, and services, except for Government-furnished items.

• Keep accurate records and conduct required testing.

• Collect and test beach coliform samples weekly from two weeks prior to opening (Memorial Day) until two weeks after closing (Labor Day).

• Adhere to all conditions set forth in IDEM permit # IN0024953.

• Report weekly lab test data to the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) within 3 days of obtaining the data, or 24 hours if a permit violation is found.

• Submit required paperwork during "no discharge" months (November through March).

• Interpret test results and apply them to system control.

• Operational months: April through October.

• Location: Hardin Ridge Recreation Area, Hoosier National Forest.

• Operator must hold a current Class 1 wastewater treatment certification with the State of Indiana.

• In the event of an emergency, the licensed operator must be available on-site within 2 hours.

• The operator must be able to interpret test results and apply them to system control.

• Weekly inspection of 10 lift stations (two pumps per station) to ensure functionality.

• Pump down wastewater to clear accumulating solids and check for leaks.

• Repairs and costs associated with equipment failure, lift stations, and line repair.

• Cost of electricity.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the Schedule of Items (SOI) for the contract, detailing the services and associated pricing for the base period and four option periods. It outlines the specific tasks, quantities, units of measure, and provides placeholders for unit and total prices.

• Base Period: Covers 365 days from the contract award.
  • Operation and maintenance of HRRA wastewater treatment plant (7 Months).
  • Weekly inspection of 10 lift stations at Hardin Recreation Area (30 Weeks).
  • Complete and Submit Monthly Discharge Monitoring Reports to IDEM (12 Months).
• Option Periods (One through Four): Each option period is 365 days and includes the same three tasks as the base period with identical estimated quantities and units of measure.
• Placeholders for Unit Price and Total Price are provided for each line item.

This document is critical for bidders to understand the scope of services required and to prepare their pricing proposals. Bidders must fill in the unit and total prices for each line item across the base and all option periods to submit a complete bid.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an Experience Questionnaire required by the USDA Forest Service, referencing FSH 6309.31 and 41 USC 1. It is designed to gather information from potential contractors regarding their experience, business structure, and capabilities relevant to a solicitation.

• Contractor Information: Name, address, telephone, UEI, and email.
• Business Type: Options for Company, Corporation, Co-partnership, or Individual.
• Experience: Years of contracting experience as a prime or sub-contractor, and years in the specific line of work contemplated by the solicitation.
• Past Projects: Details of projects completed within the last three years, including contract amount, type of project, date completed, and contact information for verification.
• Concurrent Commitments: Information on current contractual commitments.
• Past Performance: Questions regarding failure to complete work or completion via performance bond.
• Organization and Staffing: Minimum and maximum number of employees, whether employees are on payroll, and progress rates.
• Key Personnel Experience: Details on principal individuals, their positions, years of experience, and magnitude/type of work.
• Equipment: List of equipment planned for use, including maintenance plans.
• Contractor Plans: Description of inspection, safety, and proposed schedule, including use of bio-based products.

Bidders must complete this questionnaire accurately and thoroughly. The information provided will be used by the government to assess the contractor's experience, capability, and past performance to determine their suitability for the opportunity. Failure to provide complete information may impact the evaluation of the proposal.