Universal

Universal_Policy_and_Safety_Manual.docx · 367,596 characters ingested

Universal Contracting Services

May 2026       

Policy & Safety Manual

Table of Contents

Universal’s Mission, Vision, and Values

Scope and Purpose of the Manual

Code of Conduct

Organizational Structure

Universal General Policies

4.0	Employment Policies

5.0	Company Benefits

6.0	Workplace Conduct & Standards

7.0	Workplace Violence Policy

8.0	Harassment Policy

9.0	Disciplinary Action Policy

10.0	Legal & Compliance

11.0	Worker’s Compensation Policy

12.0	ESTA Policy (Earned Sick Time Act)

13.0	Attendance Policy

14.0	New Hire Orientation

15.0	Performance Management

16.0	Substance Abuse Policy

17.0	Smoking and Tobacco Policy

18.0	Building Security Policy 

19.0	Vehicle Usage Policy

20.0	Radio Frequency Policy

21.0	Work from Home Policy

22.0	Fuel Card Policy

23.0	Company Vehicle Parking Policy

24.0	IT & Data Security

25.0	Acceptable Use Policy

26.0	Financial Policies

27.0	Subcontractors Policy

28.0	Management Rights Clause

C. Introduction – Health, Safety & Environmental

	29.0	General Requirements

	30.0	Business Continuity Plan 

31.0	Life Safety Rules 

	32.0	Roles and Responsibilities 

	33.0	Universal Safety Board and Committees

	34.0	Health, Safety & Environmental Program Development

	35.0	Training Program

	36.0	General

	37.0	Initial Incident Reporting Structure

	38.0	By Role Reporting Responsibilities 

	39.0	Incident Investigation Procedure

40.0	Job Briefing 

	41.0	Daily Job Briefing

	42.0	Crew Job Briefing 

	43.0	Self-Perform Job Briefing 

44.0	Emergency Action Plan

	45.0	Fire Prevention and Protection

	46.0	Slips, Trips, and Falls 

	47.0	First Aid, CPR, and AED

	48.0	Bloodborne Pathogens

	49.0	Heat Stress

	50.0	Animal Encounter

	51.0	Driving

	52.0	Circle of Safety

	53.0	Equipment/Heavy Equipment

	54.0	General Office Safety

	55.0	Housekeeping

	56.0	Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

	57.0	ANSI, ASTM, and NIOSH Requirements

	56.0	Eye and Face Protection

	58.0	Head Protection

	59.0	Hand Protection

	60.0	Arm 

Universal_Contracting_Company_-_Exceptions_to_T_and_Cs.docx · 343 characters ingested

Universal Contracting Company – Exceptions to T&Cs

The Exception to Net 60

Universal requests Net 45 payment terms due to the administrative timelines associated with PO approvals, ticket validation, and utility billing workflows, which can extend actual payment durations well beyond a standard Net 60 cycle from the date work is performed.

Universal_Contracting_Company_-_Exceptions_to_RFP_Documents.docx · 1,065 characters ingested

Universal Contracting Company – Exceptions to Scope

Universal has no exceptions based on the following assumptions:

Exhibit D1. 	

Access & Excavation Equipment Adders	New Unit	Includes Cost of Material & Time

Trouble & Follow-Up Work			7503592	Unknown Variables

Trouble & Follow-Up Work			7503594	Unknown Variables

Trouble & Follow-Up Work			7503595	Unknown Variables

Trouble & Follow-Up Work			7504001	Unknown Variables

Trouble & Follow-Up Work			7503593	Based on 10 Hour Day QEW

Hydrovac Adders				7503157	Blended Rate Per Man

Assumption – In items where unit description refers to commission – Price includes install up to point of commission limitations completed by crews. Assumption is that crew member minutes for operating – 7501894 – Would be billed for time spent coordinating actual commissioning.

Assumption – Traffic Control – Is limited to simple traffic control (Cones and Signage). Stands where traffic can self-regulate without the use of directional devices. (See attachment Traffic Control Pricing Structure for further clarification.)

Traffic_Control_Pricing_Structure_1.docx · 3,780 characters ingested

Universal Traffic Control Services appreciates the opportunity to work alongside our utility partners as DTE continues evaluating Traffic Control pricing structures and operational models under the new Tier 1 framework.

Based on active field experience supporting utility construction, maintenance, emergency response, and restoration operations throughout Michigan, our team has reviewed the proposed Traffic Control structures and developed the following recommendations and terminology to help create a more standardized, scalable, and operationally realistic approach to Traffic Control services.

The intent is to improve consistency, simplify billing interpretation, reduce operational confusion, and better align Traffic Control deployment with actual field conditions and utility work requirements.

Flagger with Equipment

This rate should apply per traffic controller, per hour, inclusive of standard Traffic Control equipment and setup associated with typical utility operations.

Standard setups generally include:

Standard signage

Sign stands

Cones and delineators

Arrow boards

Billing is portal-to-portal and reflects active deployment associated with utility construction, maintenance, and restoration activities.

Traffic operations requiring additional coordination, specialty traffic patterns, permitting, or advanced planning should be classified separately under Advanced Traffic Control Services.

Traffic Control Laborer

This classification applies to labor support activities outside of active lane control operations.

Examples may include:

Delivery or relocation of equipment

Message board setup/removal

Equipment staging

Support vehicle operation

Attenuator truck driver support when not actively controlling traffic

Attenuator Trucks (TMA)

Attenuator trucks should be billed separately on a per-unit basis due to the specialized equipment requirements, operating costs, and roadway safety exposure associated with high-speed traffic environments.

TMA support

Traffic_Control_Pricing_Structure.docx · 3,678 characters ingested

As DTE continues evaluating Traffic Control pricing structures and operational models under the new Tier 1 framework.

Based on active field experience supporting utility construction, maintenance, emergency response, and restoration operations throughout Michigan, our team has reviewed the proposed Traffic Control structures and developed the following recommendations and terminology to help create a more standardized, scalable, and operationally realistic approach to Traffic Control services.

The intent is to improve consistency, simplify billing interpretation, reduce operational confusion, and better align Traffic Control deployment with actual field conditions and utility work requirements.

Flagger with Equipment

This rate should apply per traffic controller, per hour, inclusive of standard Traffic Control equipment and setup associated with typical utility operations.

Standard setups generally include:

Standard signage

Sign stands

Cones and delineators

Arrow boards

Billing is portal-to-portal and reflects active deployment associated with utility construction, maintenance, and restoration activities.

Traffic operations requiring additional coordination, specialty traffic patterns, permitting, or advanced planning should be classified separately under Advanced Traffic Control Services.

Traffic Control Laborer

This classification applies to labor support activities outside of active lane control operations.

Examples may include:

Delivery or relocation of equipment

Message board setup/removal

Equipment staging

Support vehicle operation

Attenuator truck driver support when not actively controlling traffic

Attenuator Trucks (TMA)

Attenuator trucks should be billed separately on a per-unit basis due to the specialized equipment requirements, operating costs, and roadway safety exposure associated with high-speed traffic environments.

TMA support is generally required for:

Roadways 45 MPH and above

Freeway operations

Agency-specific requiremen

Overhead_Construction_RFP_238244.docx · 12,434 characters ingested

Universal Contracting Services

DTE Electric Company

Overhead Construction RFP 238244 

Table of Contents – RFP Response 

 

Executive Summary

Company Overview

Experience & Capabilities

Delivery Strategy

Key Differentiators

Exhibit D1 – Unit Pricing Rates

Unit Rate Breakdown

Total Cost of Unitized Overhead Work  

Exhibit D2 – Time & Equipment (T&E) Pricing Rates

Labor Rates

Equipment Rates

Total T&E Cost Summary

Company Questionnaire

Commercial Responses

Technical Capabilities

Safety Program & Performance

Staffing & Workforce Structure

Supporting Documentation

Certifications & Licenses

Safety Documentation

Relevant Project Experience

Additional Supporting Materials

Exceptions to RFP Documents

Summary of Exceptions (if any)

Redlined Documents (if applicable)

Exceptions to Terms & Conditions

Proposed Changes to Terms & Conditions

Insurance Requirement Exceptions (if any)

Diversity Plan

Approach to Diverse Supplier Inclusion

List of Diverse Suppliers & Anticipated Spend

Executive Summary

Universal Contracting Services is a minority-owned, Detroit-based utility contractor specializing in overhead transmission and distribution construction, maintenance, and storm restoration. We have been actively working on the DTE Energy power system since 2019, supporting both planned infrastructure work and emergency response efforts. As an existing contractor on DTE property, we bring established crews, proven field execution, and full familiarity with DTE systems and processes, allowing for immediate integration with no learning curve.

Experience

Universal has hands-on experience supporting overhead transmission and distribution work across both utility and municipal environments. Our scope includes new construction, system upgrades, rebuilds, and ongoing maintenance, as well as large-scale storm restoration.

Our continued presence on the DTE system since 2019 has allowed us to develop a strong understanding of operational expectations, safety s

Contractor: Universal Contracting Services, LLC

Labor rates: 141 · Equipment rates: 53

7997 units across 12 service areas.

Priced: 7997 · Blank: 0

Also parsed 17 hydrovac, 0 traffic rates.

1 pages · 1,261 characters extracted.

6755 Telegraph Rd.
(248) 918-0010 	Suite 350 	bitontigroup.com
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
Bitonti Insurance Group
6755 Telegraph Rd, Suite 350
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
248-918-0010
mb@bitontigroup.com
www.bitontigroup.com
May 22, 2026
RE: Universal Contracting Services
To Whom It May Concern:
Please be advised that Universal Contracting Services is a valued client of Bitonti Insurance
Group and is currently in good standing with our agency and insurance carriers.
Based upon our knowledge of the company’s operations, insurance program, and business
history, we believe Universal Contracting Services is financially responsible, professionally
managed, and capable of obtaining bonding for projects and contractual obligations that may
arise in connection with work performed for DTE Energy and related entities.
This letter is provided as a matter of professional opinion and reference only and does not
constitute a guarantee or commitment to provide bonds. Any bonding consideration remains
subject to underwriting review and approval by the applicable surety company.
Should you require any additional information, please feel free to contact our office directly.
Sincerely,
Matthew Bitonti
Bitonti Insurance Group
www.bitontigroup.com

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