Bacteriological Water Testing and Analysis Services

The California Department of Water Resources is soliciting bids for bacteriological water testing and analysis services for the San Luis Field Division, with bids due October 28, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. and public opening on October 29 at 10:00 a.m. at the San Luis Field Division Warehouse in Gustine, California. Current certification by the State Water Resources Control Board's Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) or the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP) is a mandatory requirement.

Small Business Preference (5% calculation preference), Non-Small Business Preference (5% for firms subcontracting 25% to certified small businesses), and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Incentive (1–5% based on participation level) apply. The contractor's facility must be located within a 65-mile radius of the San Luis Field Division.

The scope includes presence/absence coliform testing, heterotrophic plate count analysis, E. coli enumeration on raw and treated water samples, retesting for positive results, and emergency analysis with 48-hour turnaround. Bidders submit sealed bids in duplicate—one hardcopy and one electronic on USB drive—with unit prices for six service categories: drinking water coliform testing (10 samples monthly), heterotrophic plate count testing (12 per year), retesting, raw water analysis, additional requested samples (25 per year), and emergency analysis services (10 per year). The contractor must maintain commercial general liability insurance of at least $1 million per occurrence, workers' compensation coverage, and automobile liability insurance of $1 million combined single limit.

The anticipated contract start date is February 1, 2027 with a three-year initial term. No minimum work volume is guaranteed. Technical questions are due October 9, 2026; answers will be provided by October 14. The State will award to the lowest responsible bidder meeting specifications and reserves the right to reject all bids. Payment terms are 45 days from invoice receipt by DWR Accounting Office.