Copper Basin Reservoir Discharge Valve Replacement

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is requesting sealed bids for the Copper Basin Reservoir Discharge Valve Replacement project in San Bernardino County, with bids due September 22, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., and a mandatory pre-bid conference on September 2, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. at the Gene Pumping Plant. A minimum 15% small business enterprise and disabled veteran business enterprise (SBE/DVBE) participation is required; failure to meet this threshold will result in bid rejection as non-responsive.

Bidders must hold a California contractor license classification "A," comply with prevailing wage requirements under California Labor Code with Department of Industrial Relations registration, and obtain California Contractors State License Board issued ASB certification for asbestos abatement work. Documented experience in underwater construction at depths of 50 feet or more is required for applicable work. The scope includes removing the existing discharge valve and actuator; installing a Metropolitan-furnished 54-inch fixed cone valve and actuator; recoating the discharge pipeline interior; refurbishing the valve house and a 54-inch slide gate valve; upgrading electrical systems; replacing electrical and telecommunications cables; fabricating and installing a temporary underwater isolation device; and improving the access road.

The estimated total construction cost ranges between $17 million and $21 million. The contract is subject to a Project Labor Agreement. Pre-bid conference attendance is mandatory as a condition precedent to bid submission, though subcontractor attendance is not required. The conference includes a project tour with a 0.3-mile roundtrip hike through steep terrain and a boat ride to the top of the dam. Each bid must be accompanied by a certified or cashier's check or surety bond; the successful bidder shall furnish both performance and labor and material payment bonds. Sealed bids are submitted through Metropolitan's online bid system at https://pbsystem.planetbids.com/portal/16151/bo/bo-search. Bid documents are available at no charge through the online system.