ITB - Maintenance of Communications Infrastructure and Related Items at Various Locations for Harris County

Harris County Office of the County Engineer is soliciting bids on a term contract for preventive, predictive, and emergency maintenance, inspection, testing, troubleshooting, repair, upgrades, and potential construction of fiber optic communication systems and related infrastructure across more than 100 buildings and sites throughout Texas, with bids due August 31, 2026.

Historically Underutilized Minority- and Woman-Owned Businesses (M/WBEs) are encouraged to participate with good faith effort expectations. The vendor must demonstrate a minimum of three years of experience in fiber optic system maintenance and two years of experience in utility locating services. Required personnel include three fiber optic technicians with IMSA/FOA or BICSI certifications, two licensed electricians, and four common laborers, all subject to pre-approval by OCE.

Work scope encompasses data and voice cabling maintenance (approximately 50% of annual work), modifications and installations of radio and intercom cabling (approximately 20%), and troubleshooting and repair of problematic cabling including roadway fiber (approximately 30%). The contract term begins October 27, 2026, for one year with potential extension through four additional one-year renewal options subject to Commissioners Court approval. Pricing is submitted on bid tables in Bonfire based on the vendor's estimated annual expenditure for parts and materials, with all rates quoted as all-inclusive costs. Annual CPI adjustments are capped at four percent or a negotiated lower percentage.

A bid bond equal to 5% of the proposal is required at submission, with a performance bond and/or payment bond of 100% of the proposal due within ten days of award. Liquidated damages apply for failure to complete utility locates within two working days ($750/day), failure to respond to emergency maintenance calls ($750/day), and construction project delays ($500/day). The County reserves the right to award to multiple vendors designated as primary and secondary. A pre-bid conference is scheduled for August 18, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. CST via Microsoft Teams, though attendance is not mandatory. Questions must be submitted in writing through Bonfire prior to the published deadline.