NIGP 96818: Back Flow Preventer Testing Services

NIGP 96818 Back Flow Preventer Testing Services, an Item code, encompasses annual inspection, testing, certification, and repair of backflow prevention devices at public facilities—including transit centers, water utility sites, airports, and municipal buildings—in compliance with state and federal cross-connection control standards. State and local governments are procuring this work through a mix of city utilities (Fort Myers, Dallas Water Utilities), county water and transportation authorities (Orange County Transportation Authority, Volusia County, Broward County), and special-purpose districts (Orlando Utilities Commission). The scope includes diagnostic testing to American Water Works Association standards, certification documentation, emergency response capabilities, device repair and replacement, and digital reporting; contractors must hold current certifications from ABPA or ASSE and maintain state plumbing or fire protection licenses. Volusia County and Fort Myers are pursuing countywide programs covering 157 and 7,000–8,000 devices respectively, while OCTA is managing approximately 80 annual inspections across its transit and streetcar facilities.

Recent opportunities span Florida (Fort Myers ITB 26-047, Volusia County IFB 26-B-75JJ), California (OCTA IFB 250407), Texas (Dallas RFB BC26-00029678), and Arizona (Tucson QVL). Fort Myers is requesting bids on citywide backflow testing due June 22, 2026, with testing personnel requiring current ABPA or ASSE certification and responses due on a per-device basis; Volusia County is soliciting backflow device inspection and testing services across seven municipalities with bids due July 15, 2026, requiring Backflow Assembly Tester Certification or Florida Plumbing Contractor License and offering local preference of up to 5% for Florida county residents; OCTA is bidding on-call inspection and testing of approximately 80 devices annually for its 21 facilities with bids due July 15, 2026, requiring California C-16 Fire Protection and C-36 Plumbing licenses, Orange County Backflow Tester Certification, and prevailing wage compliance. Pricing models typically use firm-fixed hourly rates or per-device unit pricing with parts invoiced at cost-plus markup. Contract terms generally run three years with optional one-year renewals; OCTA's estimated value is $135,000 over three years.