BL014-26, Provision of Locating Services on a Multi-Year Contract

Gwinnett County's Department of Water Resources is seeking competitive sealed bids for a multi-year contract to provide comprehensive utility locating services. The procurement (BL014-26) requires a dedicated workforce of 22 qualified personnel, including 20 locators, 1 supervisor, and 1 dispatcher, to deliver 24/7 utility locating and marking services for water, sewer, and fiber assets. The selected contractor must respond to approximately 250,000 annual locate requests through the Georgia Utility Protection Center, with normal business hour coverage from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and emergency requests requiring a maximum 2-hour response time. Sealed bids are due by 2:50 p.m. on December 30, 2025, with a public opening at 3:00 p.m. A pre-bid conference is scheduled for December 17, 2025, via Web-Ex, and potential bidders must submit questions to Jordan Mitchell by December 18, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. The contract will initially run from March 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026, with potential automatic renewals for four additional one-year terms through December 31, 2030.

The contract does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Bidders must submit comprehensive documentation, including a Fee Schedule, Subcontractor List, References (minimum three similar projects), Contractor Affidavit and Agreement, and Code of Ethics Affidavit. Insurance requirements are stringent, mandating Commercial General Liability insurance with $2,000,000 general aggregate and $1,000,000 per occurrence, Automobile Liability of $1,000,000, Workers' Compensation at Georgia statutory limits, and Umbrella/Excess Liability based on contract value. The county will provide GIS mapping data access, and the contractor must maintain and update maps and facility data. The service provider will assume full liability for facility damages resulting from inaccurate locates or improper markings, with potential financial penalties. Award will be made to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, with bid results available the following business day on the county's website. While specific budget ranges are not disclosed, the contract involves monthly fixed-rate payments covering all locate services, with invoices submitted monthly for the initial 10-month period and subsequent 12-month renewal periods.