Gas Inspection Services

The City of Norwich, Connecticut, acting on behalf of Norwich Public Utilities (NPU), is seeking proposals through a competitive Invitation for Bid (RFP 26-39) for full-time natural gas construction inspection services. The procurement covers inspection services for all phases of natural gas distribution operations serving approximately 25,000 residences and businesses across four primary pressure classes with roughly 9,850 customers. The inspector position requires full-time employment from March 15 through December 31 annually, working Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with potential part-time or full-time work between January 1 and March 14 conducting Call Before You Dig inspections; inspectors will oversee approximately three crews daily, predominantly within Norwich with minimal work in Preston and Bozrah. Qualified contractors must possess and maintain nine specific Northeast Gas Association Operator Qualification tasks and demonstrate a minimum of ten years of well-rounded gas distribution field experience encompassing plastic pipe, steel pipe, cast iron pipe, and service installation. The contractor must supply personal protective equipment and a motor vehicle in good working condition, while NPU will provide a company cellphone, iOS tablet device, and business cards; mileage reimbursement applies only for travel between inspection jobs, not commute travel. Proposals will be evaluated on a weighted basis of 70 percent for price and 30 percent for qualifications, experience, and interview quality, with NPU retaining the right to select the overall best value proposal rather than automatically awarding to the lowest bidder. The solicitation opened February 18, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. EST and closes March 10, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. EDT, with submissions required through the City of Norwich Procurement Portal; no vendor questions and answers period, site visits, or bidders' conferences are scheduled.

All vendors are eligible to respond to this solicitation with no set-asides or restrictions on organizational types identified. The contractor must carry comprehensive insurance coverage including Workers' Compensation (statutory limits), General Liability ($1,000,000/$2,000,000), Commercial Automobile Liability ($1,000,000 combined single limit), Professional Liability ($1,000,000/$1,000,000), and Umbrella/Excess Liability ($2,000,000), with NPU named as an additional insured and all policies subject to thirty days' cancellation notice. The initial contract term covers calendar year 2026, with optional two-year renewals available for 2027/2028 and 2029/2030, allowing a total possible contract period of five years. The contractor will submit itemized weekly invoices referencing the RFP/Purchase Order number. No incumbent vendor information, estimated total contract value, or specific funding sources are disclosed in the available solicitation documentation. Interested parties should direct inquiries to Robert Castronova, City of Norwich, 100 Broadway Room 105, Norwich, CT 06360, at 860-823-3706 or rcastronova@cityofnorwich.org.