Dorchester Road 30-Inch Force Main Exposure for Condition Assessment

Dorchester County Water & Sewer Department is soliciting bids under IFB for excavation, exposure, and restoration services at fourteen locations along an existing 30-inch ductile iron force main on Dorchester Road in South Carolina, with bids due June 26, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

The scope requires the contractor to excavate and expose a minimum of five linear feet of pipe at full circumference down to the springline at each of the fourteen designated locations, clean exterior surfaces for visual inspection by the County's Engineer, and restore each excavation area to pre-existing condition including backfill, compaction, and hydroseeding. The contractor must coordinate with the Engineer, submit a minimum one-week look-ahead schedule, confirm inspection schedules twenty-four hours in advance, and maintain all excavations in compliance with OSHA requirements. The unit price must include all labor, supervision, equipment, tools, materials, utility coordination, traffic control, trench safety systems, and restoration work. The contractor is responsible for obtaining all necessary permits and licenses and maintaining specified insurance coverage with the County named as additional insured.

The contract term is forty-five calendar days from Notice to Proceed. The County retains the right to increase, decrease, or eliminate locations based on field conditions, inspection results, budget availability, or operational needs, with payment based solely on actual work performed. Payment is made within thirty days of approved invoices at ninety percent of the unit price for completed locations, with retainage held until final completion. Bid security of 5% of the total bid amount is required for bids exceeding $25,000, submitted as a bid bond or certified check. Upon award, the contractor must provide performance and payment bonds each equal to 100% of the contract price. Liquidated damages are assessed at $1,000 per calendar day for delays beyond the contract deadline. No subcontractor substitutions are permitted without written consent from the County's Purchasing Services Manager. Questions are due June 22, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. Bid opening is public on June 26, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., with virtual attendance available via Microsoft Teams.