On-call Contractor Services for Water Utilities

The City of Wichita is requesting proposals for on-call construction services for the Public Works & Utilities Department (Production & Pumping, Sewage Treatment, and Storm Water divisions) under an RFP due July 31, 2026, with a pre-proposal conference on July 15. The City reserves the right to award separate contracts to multiple qualified contractors and to select based on greatest benefit to the City rather than lowest cost.

Contractors must have five years' experience in similar water and sewer utility construction and repair services, understanding of applicable industry standards, and registration with the Kansas Secretary of State's Office. Scope includes equipment repairs, pipeline repairs, valve replacements, gate replacements, blower replacements, pump replacements, and infrastructure repairs associated with treatment plants and pump stations. Contractors must respond within three business days for non-emergency work and provide expedited service for emergencies.

Pricing is capped at $50,000 per individual project, with a maximum annual total of $700,000 per contractor. Proposals must submit hourly rates by staff level (foreman, laborer, equipment operator), hourly rates for larger equipment (excavators, loaders, skid steers), a material markup rate, and a yearly inflation factor for labor and equipment rates applicable during each renewal period.

The contract term is one year with four optional one-year renewal periods; either party may cancel with 30 days' written notice. Evaluation criteria are fees and inflation factor (25%), qualifications of assigned staff (20%), experience of proposer (25%), staff availability (20%), and Small & Emerging Business Enterprise (S/EBE) program participation (10%). Contractors must carry commercial general liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence with $2,000,000 annual aggregate, comprehensive automobile liability, workers' compensation, and employers' liability coverage. Written questions are due July 23, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., with answers posted by July 29. City Council approval is anticipated in August 2026.