Portage County Underwater Bridge Inspections

Portage County, Wisconsin is seeking sealed bids for underwater bridge inspections at nine specific bridge locations throughout the county, with the Request for Bid (RFB) issued by the Portage County Purchasing Department. The procurement requires comprehensive underwater dive inspections of bridge substructures, conducted in strict accordance with National Bridge Inspection Standards and Wisconsin Highway Structure Information System requirements. Bidders must provide element-based inspection reports, including photographs, video documentation, and data entry into the state's highway structure system, with initial data entry desired by May 7, 2018, and all inspections and deliverables to be completed by May 31, 2018. Vendor qualifications include a minimum of five years' experience in underwater bridge inspection, certified underwater dive inspectors, and three professional references from comparable institutions within the past five years. The bid evaluation will be based on the lowest responsive and responsible bidder meeting all specifications, with sealed bids due by 2:00 PM on January 9, 2018, to be submitted to the Portage County Purchasing Department at 1462 Strongs Ave, Stevens Point, WI 54481. Potential bidders must submit unit prices for each bridge location and a total price for all bridges, and any questions must be submitted in writing by December 28, 2017, to Calvin Winters, Procurement Director.

The RFB does not specify any specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Contractors must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage, including worker's compensation, commercial liability of $1,000,000 minimum for bodily injury and property damage, and motor vehicle insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence. All prices must be quoted in U.S. dollars and are exempt from Wisconsin sales tax, with the contractor responsible for transportation and insurance charges. Subcontracting requires prior County approval, and the County reserves the right to terminate the contract with ten days' written notice or immediately if safety is threatened or insurance requirements are not maintained. While no specific budget range or award value is explicitly stated, the procurement involves inspections at nine bridge locations, suggesting a moderate-scale project. The County will require the successful bidder to provide comprehensive documentation and adhere to strict technical and safety standards throughout the underwater bridge inspection process.