Fire Hydrants

Hillsborough County's Water Resources Department is seeking competitive sealed bids for fire hydrants through Invitation to Bid ITB-26-00104, targeting experienced suppliers capable of providing high-quality fire hydrants over a two-year contract period. The solicitation specifically requires dry barrel, compression-type fire hydrants that comply with ANSI/AWWA Standard C502 and are both Underwriters Laboratory (UL) listed and Factory Mutual (FM) approved. Approved manufacturers include American Flow Control, Clow Valve Company, Kennedy Valve Company, Mueller Co., and U.S. Pipe Valve & Hydrant Company, with no product substitutions permitted. Bidders must submit electronic proposals through the County's Euna Procurement system by February 4, 2026, at 2:00 PM EST, with delivery required within 15 days of purchase order receipt to one of four county warehouse locations. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder meeting all technical specifications, with evaluation criteria focusing on compliance with product standards, pricing, and documented experience providing similar municipal water infrastructure supplies.

No specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises were explicitly outlined in the procurement documents. The contract does not guarantee minimum purchase quantities but allows the county to exceed estimated requirements at the contractor's obligation to supply. Vendors must demonstrate recent experience providing substantially similar services and maintain current product approval from the Water Resources Department Product Review Committee. The estimated project budget is $601,663.54 for the two-year contract term, with a price escalation/de-escalation provision based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) allowing annual percentage adjustments. Bidders are required to complete several mandatory forms, including a Drug-Free Workplace Certification, Substitute W-9, and Direct Deposit Authorization. The County reserves the right to reject any or all bids, cancel the solicitation, and waive minor irregularities, with contract award contingent on funding availability and potential termination with 24 hours written notice.