Countywide Fire Hydrant Replacement - WORCS-5

Hillsborough County Water Resources Department is requesting bids for countywide fire hydrant replacement including hydrant assemblies and valves on existing water mains throughout the county under IFB-26-00348 (WORCS-5), with bids due October 27, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The estimated contract value is $1.9 million. No SBE set-aside or goal applies to this solicitation.

The scope encompasses replacement of fire hydrants, hydrant assemblies, and valves via three installation methods (standard, modified with restraints, and new installations on asbestos cement mains); exploratory excavation to assess existing piping and restraints; concrete pad installation; flow testing; painting; and site restoration including sodding, sedimentation control, asphalt paving, sidewalk repair or replacement, and gutter or curbing installation or repair. Water mains will be shut down between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. for replacement work with at least 72 hours' notice required. The contractor bears responsibility for obtaining Maintenance of Traffic permits at no cost and securing dewatering permits from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection at a $100 application fee. Work will be issued through individual work orders with no minimum purchase guaranteed. An allowance of $1,000 per hydrant covers exploratory excavation; additional allowances total $5,000 for permits, $100 per site, and $106,000 for exploratory excavation, plus a Non-Priced Items allowance of $177,100 for work identified during execution. The contractor must provide as-built drawings and pre- and post-construction photography for each work order.

Bidders must hold a current active Florida Contractor's License (Certified General Contractor or Registered General Contractor) and be registered to work in Hillsborough County. Bids must include an Earnest Money Deposit or Bid Bond equal to five percent of the total bid amount. Upon award, the successful bidder must provide Performance and Payment Bonds equal to 100 percent of the awarded contract amount within ten days of notification of award. The initial contract term is two years from the effective date, with unilateral renewal options for two additional two-year periods at the County's sole discretion; price escalation or de-escalation during renewals will be calculated using the Engineering News-Record index. A five percent retainage applies to all progress payments. Bids must be submitted exclusively through the County's electronic bidding system (Euna Procurement). Compliance required: Florida Trench Safety Act Certification and Disclosure Statement; Drug-Free Workplace Certification under Florida Statute 287.087; Affidavit of Compliance denying doing business with a Foreign Country of Concern (notarized); and a Substitute W-9 Form. Insurance requirements include Commercial General Liability ($1–5 million depending on project scope), Automobile Liability ($300,000–$1 million), Workers' Compensation with employers' liability coverage, Professional Liability ($1–5 million per claim), Excess/Umbrella coverage, Builders Risk equal to 100 percent of project completion value, Installation Floater coverage, and Pollution Liability ($1 million per occurrence minimum). All insurance policies must be from entities authorized to conduct business in Florida with A.M. Best ratings of A- or better; the County must be named as additional insured and certificate holder; and all deductibles and policy costs are the contractor's responsibility.