Fire Hydrants

The City of Wichita, located in Sedgwick County, Kansas, is soliciting sealed bids for fire hydrants through a Request for Bid (RFB) for its Public Works & Utilities Department/Water Distribution Division. The procurement involves multiple fire hydrant units with specific technical requirements, including 18 units of 3-inch barrel mechanical joint hydrants, 36 and 78 units of 4-inch barrel units, and 102 units of 5-inch barrel units, all with 5.0 valve openings. Pre-approved fire hydrant models include American Darling Mark 73, Clow Medallion, Kennedy K81D, and Mueller Super Centurion A-421. The bid solicitation was advertised on December 29, 2025, with questions due by 5:00 p.m. Central Time on January 5, 2026, and answers to be posted on January 6, 2026. Sealed bids are due electronically by 10:00 a.m. Central Time on January 9, 2026, with tentative City Council approval scheduled for January 20, 2026. Award will be made to the lowest and best total net bid from a responsible and responsive vendor, with the contract term spanning one year and potential for two one-year renewals by mutual agreement.

The procurement does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Vendors must be currently licensed by the City of Wichita or State of Kansas and provide a Certificate of Insurance with specific coverage requirements, including $1,000,000 commercial general liability per occurrence, $2,000,000 annual aggregate, and $1,000,000 comprehensive automobile liability. The City must be named as a primary and non-contributory additional insured. Delivery requirements include F.O.B. to the Wichita Water Department Materials Storage Yard, with a minimum order of five units and delivery between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on regular workdays. While no specific budget range is provided, the procurement involves multiple fire hydrant units with detailed technical specifications regarding safety features, inlet connections, valve operations, nozzle configurations, material composition, and color requirements. The contract allows for cancellation by either party with thirty days' prior written notice.