Invitation For Bid (IFB) Backflow Prevention Devices and Fire Hydrant Services

The Orange County Transportation Authority is requesting bids for backflow prevention devices and fire hydrant services across 22 OCTA facilities throughout Orange County under IFB 260553, with bids due October 8, 2026 at 11:00 a.m., and a pre-bid conference scheduled for September 15, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. This is a prevailing wage contract subject to California Labor Code Division 2, Part 7, Chapter 1 and Davis-Bacon wage requirements; bidders must demonstrate DBE participation commitment as a condition of award.

Bidders must hold a valid California C-36 Plumbing Contractor License and C-16 Fire Protection Contractor License, maintain Orange County Backflow Tester Certification, and be registered with the California Department of Industrial Relations for Public Works. All personnel performing testing or repairs must be certified backflow prevention assembly testers.

The scope encompasses annual testing of backflow prevention devices in compliance with California Code of Regulations Title 17 and local water purveyor requirements; annual inspections of private fire hydrants; and five-year flow testing for fire hydrants at transit centers, maintenance bases, park-and-ride facilities, and OC Streetcar infrastructure. The contractor must respond to service requests within seven calendar days and complete reporting within five business days. Repairs require factory-authorized replacement parts and prior written OCTA authorization. The contractor must develop and maintain a comprehensive electronic catalog of OCTA's backflow and hydrant systems, deliverable upon contract completion.

The estimated contract value is $175,230 over a three-year initial term running November 1, 2026, through October 31, 2029, with two optional one-year renewal periods available at OCTA's discretion. Pricing must be firm fixed throughout the contract period and all contract years, with no price increases permitted. Annual work includes 80 backflow device inspections, 30 fire hydrant inspections, 40 regular hourly labor units, and 4 overtime hourly labor units. Award goes to the responsive, responsible bidder offering the lowest pricing, evaluated at 90 percent weighting for total lump sum price and 10 percent weighting for parts mark-up. Questions are due September 18, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. Contractors must provide Commercial General Liability, Automobile Liability, Workers' Compensation, and Employers' Liability coverage with OCTA named as additional insured.