Installation of Water Utility Service Lines

The City of Wichita, Kansas Public Works & Utilities Department, Water Distribution Division is requesting sealed bids for the installation of water utility service lines, with bids due October 23, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. CT and a pre-bid conference via Microsoft Teams on October 13, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. CT. The City intends to award contracts to two contractors based on lowest price and conformity to specifications.

The scope encompasses furnishing all materials, labor, and equipment to tap city water mains and install complete service lines and meter setters at designated addresses without main shutdown, following Engineering Standard Water Service Detail WL-102. Work includes installation of approximately 200 "long" and 200 "short" service lines with all required trenching, backfilling, compaction, pavement cutting, and surface restoration. The awardee must furnish corporation stops, service saddles, service tubing, unions, couplings, tracer wire, copper meter setters, meter boxes, and pigtails to specified manufacturers and standards; the City furnishes meters, ERT devices, and rebar. All work must comply with NPDES Best Management Practices, OSHA requirements, and include a two-year workmanship warranty.

Contractors must have a minimum four years' experience in similar services, Kansas Secretary of State registration, and appropriate licenses. A lump-sum bid covering all labor, materials, equipment, and related work is required. A 5% bid bond, and performance and labor/material payment bonds each equal to 100% of the contract amount are mandatory at submission. Commercial general liability insurance with minimum $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, automobile liability, workers' compensation, and employers' liability are required.

The contract term is one year with four optional one-year renewal periods by mutual agreement. Liquidated damages are $300 per working day for failure to complete within 15 working days and $100 per working day for work order documentation errors. The City reserves the right to issue work orders to either contractor with no guaranteed minimum or maximum per period. Written questions are due October 15, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. CT, with answers provided by addendum October 21, 2026. City Council approval is tentatively scheduled for November 3, 2026.