NIGP 65973: Saddles, Sleeves, Straps

NIGP 65973 Saddles, Sleeves, Straps is an Item code covering service saddles and saddle taps used in water and sewer infrastructure maintenance. State and local governments procure these products primarily for insertion valve work, line stop services, and routine pipe fitting replacement on potable water and sanitary/force mains ranging from 2 to 12 inches. Cities and special-purpose water districts dominate the issuing-body mix, with procurement appearing across water utilities, public works departments, and municipal purchasing offices. Work is typically solicited as RFQs, RFBs, or ITBs for both on-demand supply contracts and project-specific quantities; most contracts run for one year with option to extend or transition to multi-year blanket purchasing arrangements. Deliveries require firm scheduling with tight turnaround times (often five working days or less), and approved manufacturers frequently include Smith-Blair, Mueller, Hydra-Stop, Team, and AVT products or equivalents meeting AWWA and ASTM standards for potable water applications.

Recent activity concentrates in Florida and California. The City of Tampa issued RFQ 26P00456 on July 15, 2026 (quotes due July 30, 2026) for eleven line items of service saddles across 2- to 12-inch sizes, with an attached SLBE Certified Companies Directory suggesting potential small local business enterprise preference; the contract runs one year with delivery required within five days after order. The Alameda County Water District issued RFQ 252617 on January 26, 2026 for 60 saddle taps in AC and PVC specifications (quotations due January 28, 2026 via Bonfire); the City of Phoenix Water Services Department solicited water pipe and miscellaneous fittings including saddle tees under IFB 260217 in February 2026 as a five-year contract commencing May 1, 2026. The City of Bradenton (ITB 26-015NT, due January 9, 2026) and Santa Clara County (ITB ITBRDAFY260694 for pavement rehabilitation, due May 21, 2026) also posted relevant opportunities. Set-asides and preference programs vary by jurisdiction; DBE compliance applies in Phoenix, while Florida municipalities may reference SLBE directories without formal restrictions in the RFQ language itself.