Addenda_No.1_9186_Backflow_Testing_and_Repairs.pdf

ORLANDO UTILITIES COMMISSION

100 W. Anderson Street l PO Box 3193 l Orlando, FL 32801 l 407-434-4038 Telephone l 407-434-4338 Telefax l www.ouc.com

To: All Prospective Proposers:

From: Cindy Luttfring, Buyer of Record Subject: Addendum No. 1, RFP PR 9186 Backflow Testing and Repairs

The purpose of this Addendum is to provide clarifications and questions in response to the subject solicitation.

CLARIFICATIONS:

1. The RFP submission deadline has been officially extended to 2:00 PM on July 8, 2026.

2. OUC is only requiring that at least there is one qualified supervisor/project manager on staff with a Level III Distribution Systems Operator License.

3. OUC will provide internal repair parts & test cocks for residential repairs. The replacement of a test cock is considered a minor repair. If unable to supply outdated backflow internal parts, OUC will provide a replacement backflow to be installed.

4. OUC is responsible for issuing all Commercial Customer Notification / Final Notice Letters. Please reference Exhibit C.

Refer to last page for supplier questions and OUC responses.

Reminder:

Bids are due electronically via VendorLink no later than 2:00 p.m. Local Time on June 30, Your proposal response must acknowledge Addendum No. 1 was received or your bid may be considered non-responsive. In other respects, except as specifically stated above, the subject request for Proposal remains unchanged.

Note:

There shall be no communication between the supplier, their employees or subcontractors concerning this RFP to anyone within OUC except the buyer of record.

http://www.ouc.com/

OUC Response

We hold a Utility, plumbing, and class 5 fire license. In addition, the guys in the field all have backflow certifications. Would those licenses/certifications suffice for this solicitation?

Yes. The licenses and certifications described would satisfy the requirements of this solicitation, provided all applicable State and local licensing requirements are met.

Ref: 3.21 AWARD “OUC reserves the right to award a single or multiple contracts for all proposal items, or to award separate contracts for single proposal items or any combination of such items; or to make no contract award." Inquiry: Is it OUC’s intention to issue this contract to a single contractor or multiple contractors?

OUC has not predetermined the number of awards. OUC reserves the right to award a single contract, multiple contracts, or no contract, as stated in Section 3.21 of the solicitation. Historically, OUC has utilized multiple contractors and/or a primary and secondary contractor arrangement; however, award decisions will be based on the evaluation of proposals received.

Ref: 1.2 Residential Testing Responsibilities of Supplier "f. All work shall be performed by a technician who holds a State of Florida Department of Environment level III distribution operator license in accordance with County, City, and State guidelines and in compliance of OSHA and OUC safe work practices. Work shall be in accordance with the manufacturer requirements and OUC drawings and specifications.”

Inquiry: A State of Florida Level III Water Distribution Operator license is an unconventional requirement for a standard backflow testing contract, as qualifying experience for this specific license typically requires direct employment with a water utility. Requiring all field technicians to hold this individual license significantly restricts the eligible pool of qualified bidders.

Will OUC amend this requirement to allow a single individual—such as a project manager or field supervisor who is actively overseeing the contract work—to hold the Level III Distribution Operator license, provided that the field technicians hold standard, industry-recognized backflow assembly tester certifications?

OUC will amend this requirement to allow a single individual, such as a project manager or field supervisor actively overseeing contract operations, to possess the State of Florida Level III Water Distribution Operator License. Field personnel performing testing and repairs must maintain the required backflow tester certifications.

Ref: 2.0 Commercial Work Order Assignment and Process “The nature of work assignment for commercial backflow testing will be divided into a quarterly schedule. OUC will issue of customer contact information 45 days prior to the three-month work schedule. The customer has 45 days to respond. If no response is received OUC will schedule testing and dispatch work to the selected Vendors to perform the test. In the event of failure, Vendors have the authority to offer their services for repairs to the customer. The customer has the right to refuse service and get bids for repairs as they own and maintain their devices. See Exhibit C for an example of the Commercial Backflow Testing Notification Letter.” Inquiry: In the event that customer contact cannot be established, for example rental properties or managed properties, will OUC provide the contractor with the customer contact information so that the contractor may reach out to the customer and solicit repair work?

OUC will provide customer contact information available within its system to support coordination and communication efforts associated with testing and repair activities.

Ref: 3.3 Materials OUC shall provide to the Supplier backflow devices, washers, and meter boxes with lids and all applicable brass parts. All other materials shall be provided by the Supplier, and their cost should be included with the unit price provided in the pricing section. All materials supplied by the Supplier must meet OUC specifications. The Supplier may substitute materials with prior OUC approval. OUC reserves the right to reject any substitutions submitted.” Inquiry: In this paragraph there is no mention of internal backflow repair parts, does this mean that the contractor is responsible for supplying the repair parts such as deck disks, springs, internal seals, and test cocks to repair residential devices?

OUC will provide the internal repair parts listed, including the test cocks required for residential backflow device repairs.

Ref: 3.10 Minor Repairs "The supplier will perform minor repairs in conjunction with testing to insure well maintained backflow field equipment. The costs for minor repairs shall be incorporated into submitted unit test pricing. This shall include replacement of valve handles and damaged lids. Additional repairs necessary for safe and reliable operation of the backflow equipment such as raising a box to grade, leaking fittings and or exchanging a box shall be submitted as outlined in section 3.6.” Inquiry: Does “minor repairs” include replacement of test cocks?

Replacement of test cocks shall be considered a minor repair.

Ref: Section 2 Paragraph 2.0 “The nature of work assignment for commercial backflow testing will be divided into a quarterly schedule. OUC will issue of customer contact information 45 days prior to the three-month work schedule. The customer has 45 days to respond. If no response is received OUC will schedule testing and dispatch work to the selected Vendors to perform the test.” and:

In Section 3.6 Invoicing, Paragraph ‘Commercial a.” “Commercial: Monthly Submittals

a. Commercial Customer Notifications – Exhibit C" Inquiry: These two statements appear to contradict each other. Who is responsible for sending the “Commercial Customer Notifications”? The Contractor or OUC? Please clarify

OUC is responsible for issuing Commercial Customer Notifications.

Addenda No. 1 PR 9186 Backflow Testing and Repairs

QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES

Details/Questions

Ref: Section 3.6 Invoicing “Commercial: Monthly Submittals

c. Commercial Final Notice Work Scheduled" Inquiry: Is this referring to the letter that OUC will be sending to the Commercial Customers?

Why is it listed as a monthly submittal for the contractor? Please clarify.

Yes this reference pertains to OUC-issued commercial customer notification letter as shown in Exhibit C.