Communication Tower Electrical and Fiber Improvement

The City of Plant City, located in Hillsborough County, Florida, is soliciting bids for a Communication Tower Electrical and Fiber Improvement project through Invitation for Bids (IFB) 25-067UM-HK-IFB. The procurement seeks a qualified contractor to relocate electrical and fiber infrastructure currently housed in an existing Public Works Building that is slated for demolition. Key project deliverables include installing a new electrical service and standby generator for the communications tower, implementing new operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) fiber optic cabling through existing and new duct banks, constructing telecommunications rooms in the Maintenance and Warehouse Buildings, and installing a security fence. Contractor qualifications mandate a minimum of three years of electrical service work experience and five years of fiber optic installation experience. The project has a substantial completion timeline of 210 days from the Notice to Proceed, with critical deadlines including a question submission deadline of November 3, 2025, and a proposal submission deadline of November 13, 2025. Bidders must submit comprehensive documentation including proof of business qualification, W-9, insurance certificates, references, and compliance documents related to immigration, drug-free workplace, and public entity crime regulations.

The solicitation does not explicitly indicate specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, though it does include local preference policies and E-Verify requirements. While no incumbent vendors are mentioned, the project involves upgrading existing communication infrastructure at the Plant City Water Reclamation Facility, requiring careful integration with current network systems. The bid includes a line item pricing structure with six main components: Mobilization/Demobilization, Bond and Insurance, Electrical Service and Generator, Radio Cabinet and Miscellaneous Site Work, OT/IT Cabling and Telecommunications Rooms, and a $10,000 Project Allowance. Liquidated damages are established at $500 per day for failure to meet substantial completion dates. The project will maintain continuous operations of the city's communication tower and network infrastructure, with specific emphasis on preserving network integrity during the transition. Although a precise total project budget is not specified, the comprehensive scope and technical complexity suggest a significant municipal infrastructure investment.