The Municipality of Sioux Lookout is initiating a request for quotations (RFQ) for winter maintenance of the Umfreville Trail for the winter of 2026-2027 and the winter of 2027-2028. This will be a two-year contract. Respondents are requested to provide fixed-cost quotations for each of the service options below. Quotations will be accepted until October 9 at 2 p.m. local time.
The Municipality is requesting pricing for all four (4) options listed below. Respondents are expected to provide a separate fixed-cost quotation for each option (Options 1, 1A, 2 and 2A) for both contract years. The Municipality will determine which option, if any, will be awarded based on its operational requirements, available budget and the quotations received.
Scope of Work:
Option 1 – Ploughing: Clear approximately 1.7 km of the Umfreville Trail, consistent with the current maintenance scope, to a width of 1.5 m (5 ft.), extending to Frog Rapids Bridge.
• Option 1A – Ploughing and Sanding: Provide the same 1.7 km ploughing service described in Option 1, together with sanding of the maintained trail when required or directed by the Municipality.
• Option 2 – Ploughing: Clear the entire Umfreville Trail route from the Travel Information Centre (starting at Wellington Street) to Frog Rapids Bridge to a width of 1.5 m (5 ft.) except for the snowmobile trail portion (approximately 0.84km), totalling approximately 3.4km
• Option 2A – Ploughing and Sanding: Provide the same approximately 3.4 km ploughing service described in Option 2, together with sanding of the maintained trail when required or directed by the Municipality.
• Ploughing shall commence when 100 mm (4 inches) of snow has accumulated on the Trail, and the applicable route shall be cleared within 24 hours of accumulation.
• The Contractor shall monitor snow accumulation and ensure that snow windrows created by ploughing are removed from private entrances and that deposited snow does not restrict visibility for pedestrians or vehicles.
• Ploughing shall be performed with a small tractor, quad/ATV-type unit, or bobcat-style machine. Large machines that may damage the Trail will not be permitted. Proposed equipment is subject to approval by the Recreation & Culture Manager or designate.
• Equipment is not permitted to be transported or driven on any portion of the Trail maintained by the Ojibway Power Toboggan Association unless specifically authorized by the Municipality. The final approved route and any access restrictions will be confirmed with the successful bidder.
• Work will commence November 1, 2026 and continue to April 30, 2027 for Year One. Year Two will commence November 1, 2027 and continue to April 30, 2028, or until otherwise requested by the Municipality.
• The successful bidder must provide a current WSIB Clearance Certificate and proof of Liability Insurance in a minimum amount of $6,000,000, naming The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout as an additional insured, prior to commencing operations.
• Pedestrians shall have the right-of-way on the Trail at all times. The Municipality reserves the right to use Municipal equipment to plough or sand any portion of the Trail when required.
• Prices are to be quoted before HST and must include all labour, equipment, fuel, insurance, maintenance, repairs, travel, overhead, sanding materials where applicable, and all other costs required to perform the work
Submission Instructions:
Please submit your Expression of Interest and Quotation, quoting Reference No. Q030-2026, and clearly marked “Umfreville Trail Winter Maintenance Quote” to:
Ashley McLean Deputy Clerk 25 Fifth Avenue, P.O. Box 158, Sioux Lookout, Ontario P8T 1A4
OR
In Person at the Municipal Office, 25 Fifth Avenue, Sioux Lookout, Ontario At the Customer Service Desk
* Faxed or e-mail Expressions of Interest/Quotations will not be accepted.
Additional Information and Site Visit:
For more information or to arrange a site visit, please contact Meredith Culham, Manager, Recreation & Culture Department: (807) 737-1994 or by email at [email protected].