42-Inch Downriver Transmission Main Loop

The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) in Michigan is issuing a Request for Bid (RFB) for construction of the 42-Inch Downriver Transmission Main Loop project in Wayne County. The project involves construction of approximately 20,800 linear feet of new 42-inch diameter water transmission main along Inkster Road between Wick Road and Pennsylvania Road, with approximately 2,415 linear feet to be installed using trenchless technology methods. The scope of work includes demolition of two water storage tanks at the Electric Avenue Pump Station in Lincoln Park, construction of a new meter pit for the City of Taylor, modifications to existing meter pits in Trenton, installation of vaults for valves and appurtenances, traffic control, pavement restoration, and comprehensive flushing, cleaning, pressure testing, and disinfection of the pipeline. The project will provide redundant water service to ten downriver communities: Riverview, Brownstown Township, Trenton, Woodhaven, Grosse Ille Township, Gibraltar, Flat Rock, Rockwood, South Rockwood, and Berlin Township. Bidders must demonstrate a minimum of ten years of experience in water main construction and installation of pipe 36 inches and larger using open trench and jack-and-bore methods, including concrete vault construction, with three completed comparable projects within the past ten years and documented references for each. Bidders must also provide evidence of no Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) violations in the past three years and must register with Euna Procurement at https://glwater.bonfirehub.com. Evaluation criteria weight lowest cost at 97 percent and Business Inclusion and Diversity (B.I.D.) Economic Equity at 3 percent. Key deadlines include an optional pre-bid meeting and site tour on February 6, 2026, at 10:00 AM EST at Southwest Water Treatment Plant (RSVP required by February 3, 2026, at 12:00 PM EST), written questions due by March 3, 2026, at 12:00 PM EST, and bid responses due by March 13, 2026, at 12:00 PM EST. The project includes four completion milestones: Milestone 1 (365 days) for completion of the Pennsylvania Road to Northline Road section and tank demolition; Milestone 2 (630 days) for completion of the Northline Road to Wick Road section and meter work, with Substantial Completion at 630 days and Final Completion at 845 days from Notice to Proceed.

The solicitation includes a mandatory Business Inclusion and Diversity (B.I.D.) Program effective July 1, 2024, requiring vendors to submit a diversity plan as a pass/fail requirement and document good faith outreach efforts to certified small, minority-owned, and economically disadvantaged business enterprises. Vendors can earn up to 3 percent scoring points through the economic equity component based on business presence criteria: 1 percent for Michigan state business presence, 1 percent for presence in economically disadvantaged GLWA service territory areas (including Detroit, Flint, Hamtramck, and Pontiac based on median household income), and 1 percent for presence in any GLWA service territory area. Vendors must provide required certifications including federal designations (DBE, MBE, WBE, SBE) from federal agencies, the state of Michigan, or Michigan local units of government. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the solicitation documents. The contract requires a 5 percent bid bond equal to the total bid amount and performance and payment bonds equal to 100 percent of the Contract Price, with comprehensive insurance coverage including $1,000,000 Commercial General Liability, $15,000,000 Umbrella/Excess Liability, and $5,000,000 Pollution Liability. The project includes a Provisional Allowance not to exceed $2,750,000 and a Cash Allowance for permitting and inspection fees not to exceed $325,000, with liquidated damages assessed at $4,500 per day for delay beyond Substantial Completion and $2,000 per day for delay beyond Final Completion. The specific total contract price is to be determined through the bidding process, and the estimated start work date is to be determined. All bids must be executed within ten business days of receiving an Award Determination Letter, and use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in bid preparation is strictly prohibited and may result in bid rejection.