Leak Detection Services

The City of Austin, Texas Water Utility Department is requesting bids for leak detection services covering an estimated 500 linear miles of the city's water distribution system annually under IFB 2200 BYS1060, with offers due November 3, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. CT. A non-mandatory pre-offer meeting is scheduled for October 13, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. CT via Microsoft Teams, and written questions are due October 15, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. CT.

Contractors must demonstrate a minimum of three consecutive years of experience in acoustic leak detection services for municipal water distribution systems within the past five years, with proven expertise on systems of similar size, complexity, and operational characteristics to Austin's network including various pipe materials and appurtenances. Bidders must submit proof of qualifications on a Reference Sheet and provide a minimum of five leak detection reports from services performed within the past 24 months for municipal systems, identifying the client, project location, approximate miles surveyed, project duration, and services provided. The City reserves the right to contact references to verify experience and past performance.

A survey mile is defined as one linear mile of water distribution main assigned by the City through GIS mapping, regardless of appurtenances inspected. The contractor must provide all materials, equipment, transportation, labor, GPS data collection, inspection, and reporting. All pricing must be all-inclusive and cannot include separate charges for administrative costs, overhead, per diem, shipping, transportation, travel time, fuel surcharges, mileage, or stop fees. Offerors must bid a unit price per linear mile with 500 linear miles as an estimated annual guide; actual purchases may vary.

The City will award to the low responsive bid or best value bid after applying local and small business discounts of up to 5 percent for bids up to $500,000 and 3 percent for bids between $500,000 and $50 million. A local business preference applies to entities with headquarters within the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos Metropolitan Statistical Area (Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties). No MBE-WBE goals apply. The contractor must comply with the City's Living Wage Program and Wage Theft Ordinance requirements and obtain security clearance for access to Austin Water Department facilities. Pricing is fixed for the initial 12 months; thereafter, price adjustments are limited to the Employment Cost Index for wages and salaries on annual anniversary dates. All offers remain valid for 150 calendar days following the due date. The contract commences upon execution and may be extended at the City's sole option; if not extended, the contractor must holdover for up to 180 days to allow re-solicitation.