Carlton Wellfield Improvements- 16 Wells

Sarasota County, Florida is soliciting bids through Invitation for Bids for well rehabilitation of 16 production wells under the Carlton Wellfield Improvements project, with bids due December 16, 2026 via the OpenGov portal. Local and American business preferences do not apply because the award carries grant funding requirements.

The County will award a Major Construction Contract for the duration of the project to the responsive and responsible bidder submitting the lowest total bid price, provided the bid is reasonable and in the County's best interest. Scope includes downhole rehabilitation, above-grade piping replacement, installation of a venturi flowmeter, conductivity probe, pressure transducer, and water level instrument, and related piping and pumping additions. All equipment, materials, and articles must be new and of the most suitable grade for the intended purpose. Substantial completion is due within 522 calendar days from issuance of both the Project Purchase Order and Notice to Proceed. Liquidated damages are $600 per calendar day for delays past substantial completion and $150 per day for delays past final acceptance.

Bidders must hold active water well contractor licenses from a Florida Water Management District and demonstrate experience with water supply wells (minimum 12-inch diameter, 500-foot depth), well rehabilitation or drilling at publicly owned wellfields, downhole rehabilitation, above-grade piping replacement, and instrumentation installation. At least one reference must carry a contract value of $1.0 million or more, and Contractor Qualification Forms must list references completed within the last ten years. A Letter of Bondability showing minimum bonding capacity of $1.0 million is required. Bids of $200,000 or more require a performance and payment bond equal to 100% of the contract amount. Required insurance includes workers' compensation with $500,000 employers liability, commercial general liability of $1.0 million per occurrence and $2.0 million aggregate, business automobile liability of $1.0 million combined single limit, and umbrella/excess liability of $2.0 million.

Special Conditions bind the contractor to the County's obligations under a Consent Order with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (OGC No. 19-0255) and a Stipulated Order with Suncoast Waterkeepers concerning the Bee Ridge Water Reclamation Facility. The contractor must immediately control, contain, and stop any wastewater discharge, repair damage to County facilities, and notify the County project manager upon discovery. The contractor reimburses the County for penalties attributable to its actions, tiered from $600 per day (up to 5,000 gallons) to $12,000 per day (above 100,000 gallons).

The newest attachment is Technical_Specifications.pdf, posted November 4, 2026. Earlier attachments posted October 8 through October 14, 2026 include plans, technical appendices, general conditions, specific requirements, and a bid supporting document of contract forms.