Large Valve Vault Replacement

The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) is soliciting sealed bids for large valve vault replacement in the Silver Spring area of Montgomery County, Maryland, with responses due July 22, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. via electronic submission to WSSC's eProcurement portal. This is a capability-filtered procurement requiring stringent minimum qualifications that will eliminate most generalist water contractors.

Bidders must demonstrate three miles of transmission main installation experience at 16 inches diameter or greater, ten miles of water main work for a water authority within the past five years, and management of multiple subcontractors on at least ten individual projects. Key personnel must include a project manager or foreman with at least three years' experience on large-diameter water main installation. Contractors must provide OSHA Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) documentation showing performance below 2.67 over the past three years. Specialized personnel certifications required include certified traffic control managers and flaggers, erosion and sediment control certified supervisors, pressure tapping installers and supervisors, and field supervisors with chlorination and de-chlorination experience.

Scope includes replacement of approximately 87 feet of 30-inch water main, 48 feet of 72-inch water main, and one 30-inch valve and vault. Pricing shall be all-inclusive and firm for the contract duration, covering all fringe benefits, overhead, profit, mobilization, demobilization, traffic control, and erosion control. WSSC will retain five percent of each payment under Maryland's Little Miller Act. The contractor must furnish performance bond and labor and material payment bonds.

Contract award goes to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Questions are due July 8, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Contract documents include solicitation information, special provisions, standard specifications, plans, geotechnical and corrosion reports, and technical attachments.