Plasma Cutting and Welding Filter Plates

The City of Austin is issuing Invitation for Bid (IFB) 2200 BYS1055 to procure annual plasma cutting and welding services for stainless steel filter access plates for Austin Water. The primary deliverables include plasma cutting of nine stainless steel access plates (each measuring two feet by four feet) to enable City inspection and cleaning of filters, followed by welding the plates back into their original positions upon completion of cleaning activities. The estimated workload is approximately two filters per year, though quantities may vary based on operational requirements and are not guaranteed. Contractors must maintain current welding certifications for stainless steel work (AWS D1.6 or equivalent), possess a minimum of five years of documented experience in stainless steel welding and plasma cutting, and demonstrate successful completion of at least one confined-space work project at a water or wastewater treatment facility within the past five years. All personnel performing confined-space entry work must complete accredited training within the past 12 months, and the contractor must maintain a Confined Space Entry Program compliant with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146. A non-mandatory pre-offer meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. CT at Davis Water Treatment Plant; written questions must be submitted by Friday, May 8, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CT; and sealed bids are due Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. CT with opening at 3:00 p.m. CT. The initial contract term is 24 months, with an option for the City to extend up to three additional 12-month periods at its sole discretion. Pricing is fixed and unit-based for the first 12 months, with potential price adjustments thereafter not to exceed the percentage change of the applicable Producer Price Index (PPI) for plate work manufacturing, subject to documented cost changes and anniversary date requests.

The City of Austin has not designated Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE-WBE) subcontracting goals for this solicitation due to insufficient subcontracting opportunities and inadequate availability of certified M/WBE firms; however, Local Business and Small Business preferences will be applied during evaluation, offering five percent discounts for bids up to $500,000 and three percent for bids between $500,000 and $50 million. Offerors may optionally complete a Local Business Preference submittal form if their headquarters are located within the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos Metropolitan Statistical Area (encompassing Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties), and may submit a Small Business Preference form if they hold recognized certifications compliant with U.S. Small Business Administration Size Standards. All contractors and subcontractor personnel must undergo fingerprint-based background security checks and obtain facility badges prior to site access at Austin Water facilities, with disqualifying criminal offenses including felonies involving burglary, theft, fraud, robbery, arson, and controlled substance distribution within the past 10 years. Contractors must provide proof of required insurance including Workers' Compensation and Employers' Liability ($100,000 per accident, $500,000 per policy), Commercial General Liability ($500,000 per occurrence), and Business Automobile Liability ($500,000 combined single limits), all with the City of Austin named as an additional insured. Specific bid values and contract award amounts are not explicitly stated in the solicitation documents, though pricing structures and preferences indicate evaluation will be based on competitive unit pricing for the identified service line items. Travel expenses, if approved in advance, will be reimbursed in accordance with GSA domestic per diem rates, and payment terms specify 30 calendar days from receipt of invoice or delivery, whichever is later.