Jemez Mountain Fire Protection Phase III Project

The Incorporated County of Los Alamos, New Mexico Department of Public Utilities is issuing Invitation for Bids (IFB 26-21) for the Jemez Mountain Fire Protection Phase III Project, a water infrastructure construction and installation initiative. The project scope encompasses the construction of four separate booster pump stations housed in concrete masonry unit buildings approximately 240 square feet each, equipped with pre-packaged and pre-ordered pumping systems on skids that include pumps, valves, meters, fittings, controls, and electrical components. Additional deliverables include the installation of fiber-optic lines in existing conduit to provide interconnected controls and communications between booster stations, installation of a tablet chlorination system at Booster Station 4, and comprehensive cleaning, pigging, and disinfection of the existing Pajarito Ski Area water system prior to interconnection, along with maintenance and cleaning of the existing Pajarito Ski Area tank, SCADA systems, tank mixer, backflow preventer, meter, hotbox, and electrical components. Qualified bidders must possess current New Mexico Contractor's Licenses with appropriate classifications for the work, provide proof of $400 online registration with the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, and submit a five percent bid bond with their proposals. Evaluation will be limited to accurate submission of Bid Response Documents and cost, with the contract awarded to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder. A mandatory pre-bid conference is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. MDT at the Los Alamos County Municipal Building Suite 330; electronic bids are due by 2:00 p.m. MST on April 1, 2026, with bid award anticipated on May 6, 2026, Notice to Proceed on May 18, 2026, Substantial Completion targeted for November 1, 2026, and Final Completion by December 1, 2026. Liquidated damages of $1,000 per calendar day apply for failure to meet Substantial, Milestone, or Final Completion dates, and work conditions require awareness of extended freezing temperatures, intense rainfall, snowfall, and limited direct sunlight, with delays from normal weather ineligible for time extensions.

The procurement permits local business preferences for entities incorporated in New Mexico with principal offices in Los Alamos County, as well as resident business, Native American resident business, Native American resident veteran business, and resident veteran business preferences under Los Alamos County Code Section 31-261(b) and New Mexico Statutes Section 13-1-21 et al., provided bidders submit valid preference certificates and supporting documentation. Bidders must comply with the Subcontractor's Fair Practices Act under New Mexico Statutes Section 13-4-31 to 13-4-43 and must identify all subcontractors performing work valued in excess of $5,000, with no modifications to the approved subcontractor list permitted without prior written approval from the County. Required submittal documents include proof of New Mexico Contractor's License(s), bid bond, campaign contribution disclosure form for contributions exceeding $250 to County Councilors within the preceding two years, certification regarding debarment and suspension, permanent main office address with Secretary of State Certificate of Good Standing if incorporated, authorization for verification of information, and bidder certification of bid submission. The project work is located on U.S. Forest Service lands, Department of Energy lands, and some private lands, with Booster Pump Stations #2, #3, and #4 situated in the Santa Fe National Forest; prevailing wage rates apply under the New Mexico Public Works Minimum Wage Act. Upon contract award, bidders must provide Performance Bonds and Labor and Materials Bonds equal to 100 percent of the contract price, Comprehensive General Liability Insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, Motor Vehicle Insurance, Worker's Compensation Insurance, and all-risk Property Insurance. No specific bid amount range is provided in the procurement documents; the County will pay applicable gross receipts taxes separately and assumes no grant funding for the project.