Fairlee WTP Well #3 Redevelopment

Kent County Department of Public Works, Water/Wastewater Division is soliciting proposals under RFP WW-27-01 from public well drilling and maintenance firms for inspection and redevelopment of Well #3 at its Fairlee Water Treatment Plant, with a pre-bid meeting at 10:00 a.m. on November 12, 2026, questions due by 4:00 p.m. on November 23, and bids due by 11:00 a.m. on December 3, 2026.

The work is performed onsite at 1 Watertower Road, Chestertown, Maryland. Scope includes step tests, pre- and post-redevelopment constant rate tests, removal and reinstatement of the submersible pump and associated equipment, 360-degree television inspection, wire brushing and high-velocity jetting of the casing and screen, swabbing and airlift operations, and above-ground inspection of pumping equipment with detailed reporting. The well dates to 1994, is screened to 655 feet, and is equipped with a 250-gpm submersible pump and pitless unit. Bidders must demonstrate experience and staff qualifications with water treatment facility groundwater wells and provide references with current contact information, as past performance and staff qualifications are major evaluation criteria.

Pricing is lump sum on the County's standard bid forms across four tasks: pump removal, reinstallation, jetting, swabbing, and testing labor; high-velocity jetting pump rental; pre-redevelopment television inspection; and above-ground equipment inspection. Each proposal requires bid surety equal to 5 percent of the bid price. Required insurance includes professional malpractice and errors and omissions coverage of $2,000,000 per event and $1,000,000 per person, general liability of $2,000,000 per occurrence, workers' compensation, and comprehensive liability of $1,000,000 per person and $2,000,000 per occurrence, with the County named as additional insured. No performance or payment bond is required, and no prevailing wage requirements apply.

Project completion is required within 90 calendar days of the Notice to Proceed, with a target completion date of March 15, 2027. The County anticipates award on December 15, 2026, to the lowest qualified, responsible, and responsive bidder based on specification compliance, ability to perform on time, and price. The contractor provides a one-year warranty on labor and materials, excluding natural disasters and third-party damage. The County reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals and to negotiate terms with the selected bidder before contract execution.