Leak Detection Services

Pinellas County School District is requesting sealed electronic bids for leak detection services under ITB #26-CD-036, with bids due by 4:00 p.m. on September 29, 2026, and a mandatory pre-bid conference on September 16, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at the Walter Pownall Service Center in Largo, Florida. Bidders must be currently qualified Florida contractors and certified leak detection specialists with five years of continuous business operation under the same legal entity and documented experience on five comparable leak detection projects within the past five years.

The scope encompasses three service categories on an as-needed basis across District-owned facilities: Category A (smoke testing, domestic water line detection, chilled water detection, condenser water detection, irrigation detection, underground utility detection, sanitary sewer investigations, and stormwater drainage investigations); Category B (natural gas leak locating); and Category C (swimming pool and water feature leak detection). The contractor must utilize non-destructive testing methods including acoustic leak detection, correlation technology, thermal imaging, infrared thermography, moisture mapping, tracer gas technology, pressure testing, ultrasonic detection, dye testing, and ground penetrating radar. Each service completion requires a comprehensive written report in PDF format within one hour, including facility information, investigation methods, exact leak location with photographs, thermal images, site sketches, severity assessment, and recommended corrective actions. The contractor must maintain a physical business location within Pinellas County, provide 24/7 emergency response within one hour of notification and non-emergency response within two business days, own or have immediate access to professional-grade equipment, and provide a written guarantee of leak detection accuracy with documented performance.

The estimated contract value is approximately $75,000 annually for an initial 365-calendar-day term from Notice to Proceed, with two optional one-year renewal periods and unilateral District extension rights for up to three additional 30-day periods. Pricing must remain firm for the initial term; price escalation at renewal is permitted if it does not exceed the previous 12-month CPI-U and the contractor provides 60 days' written notice. The District reserves the right to award to multiple responsive and responsible bidders. Bid evaluation occurs September 30 to October 2, with Notice of Intent to Award posted October 20 and School Board approval estimated for October 27. All contractors must maintain General Liability Insurance of at least $1 million per occurrence and $2 million general aggregate, Automotive Liability Insurance of $300,000 Combined Single Limit, and Workers' Compensation Insurance compliant with Florida Statute 440. Personnel with school access require Level 2 clearance under the Jessica Lunsford Act.