Installation of New Water Meters

Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners, Department of Water Resources, issued an Invitation to Bid (BL075-23) for the installation of new water meters on an annual contract basis with four one-year renewal options, with bids due June 9, 2023 at 2:50 p.m. The County divided the service area into North and South sections with intent to award each to a different contractor, though it reserves the right to award both sections or split the contract based on its best interests.

The scope covers all labor, tools, and equipment to install water meters up to 2 inches in size, including pavement cutting, excavation, backfilling, water main taps, site management, traffic control, site restoration, chlorination of water mains, meter relocations with and without new taps, meter replacements, tap abandonments, directional bore work, and miscellaneous services. Work orders are distributed daily via CSV file through the Department of Water Resources FTP site, with completed work submissions required in the same format. The County supplies all meters, curb stops, meter boxes, pipe, copper tubing, and fittings; the contractor must provide all other materials and coordinate pickup and storage at the central warehouse in Lawrenceville. Contractors are responsible for obtaining necessary permits from the Department of Transportation for road cuts, hard surfaces, or boring. Work must occur during normal business hours (Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) unless pre-approved. New meter installations must be completed within 28 calendar days of assignment, meter relocations within 12 calendar days, and concrete and asphalt restoration within 10 calendar days.

Approximate annual quantities per section range from 100 linear feet of chlorinated mains to 1,600 meter installations and 800 directional bore locations. Bidders must provide a bid bond equal to 5% of total bid amount and, upon award, Performance and Payment Bonds equal to 100% of the bid price. Required insurance includes Workers' Compensation, Commercial General Liability ($500,000 per occurrence), Auto Liability ($500,000), and Umbrella Liability ($1,000,000), with Gwinnett County named as additional insured. Contractors must demonstrate trained, qualified personnel certified in confined space work and OSHA requirements.

The contract was awarded to UWS, Inc. of Trion, Georgia, with a total value of $5,096,821.50 ($2,737,150.00 North Section; $2,359,671.50 South Section). Pricing is firm through the initial term with 10% increases on renewal options. Unit pricing varies by service type; labor rates are $318.00 per hour for county-directed services and specialty landscaping repair. A pre-proposal Webex meeting was held May 17, 2023. Addendum #1 clarified material supply and permit responsibilities; acknowledgment of the addendum was required with bid submission.