Buchanan high school softball irrigation

Buchanan Community Schools in Michigan is soliciting bids through a Request for Bids for a well and irrigation system at the Buchanan High School softball field in Berrien County, with bids due 2:00 p.m. on November 30, 2026, at the district's Business Office. Written questions are due by 5:00 p.m. on November 17, 2026, to Facilities Supervisor David Short.

Addendum 1, posted November 12, 2026, adds a wellhouse that was not in the original RFP. The wellhouse must house an irrigation bladder tank and related equipment, sit outside the outfield fence approximately behind centerfield, have a concrete base at least 4 inches thick, stay under 6 feet in height where possible to remain below the fence, and include a locking door. Contractors must install the structure. Addendum questions also go to David Short at dshort@buchananschools.com.

The base scope is furnishing and installing an irrigation well sized to water the full softball field and a potential expansion area between the softball and baseball fields. The contractor must also provide and connect an irrigation system to a Hunter ICC2 Flow controller in the softball concession stand building and coordinate power to the well and controller with a district-selected electrical contractor.

Minimum qualifications require at least five years of experience and five similar projects completed within the past five years. Contractors must be licensed and registered with the State of Michigan as a well drilling contractor and pump installer.

Bidders must submit one original and two copies, with a bid bond of at least 5% of the total bid or a cashier's check equivalent. The cost sheet itemizes well installation, irrigation system installation, controller installation and connection, grass seeding from excavation, a performance bond (minimum 25% of base bid), and a payment bond (100% of contract price). The bond section separately requires performance and payment bonds equal to 100% of the contract price before work begins. Insurance must be in place before work starts: commercial general liability of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate, automobile liability of $1 million combined single limit, statutory workers' compensation, and $2 million umbrella/excess liability. Liquidated damages are 0.10% of the base bid amount per calendar day, and the contractor must warrant work for at least one year after final completion and assign manufacturer warranties to the district.

The Board of Education plans to award on December 15, 2026. The anticipated start is between June 14 and June 30, 2027, with substantial completion by July 20, 2027, and final completion by July 30, 2027.