Potable Water Looping - Jackson Road & US 41

Sarasota County, Florida is issuing an Invitation for Bids (IFB) for construction services related to potable water infrastructure improvement, with bid submissions due by March 4, 2026. The project involves the installation of approximately 3,500 linear feet of potable water distribution mains in 6-inch, 8-inch, 12-inch, and 16-inch diameters along South Tamiami Trail, Jackson Road, and associated connecting roadways to create a looped water distribution system that will improve water quality in areas currently requiring more than routine flushing to maintain compliance standards. Deliverables include approximately 480 linear feet of 6-inch ductile iron pipe, 660 linear feet of 8-inch PVC pipe, 1,500 linear feet of 12-inch PVC pipe, and 450 linear feet of 8-inch and 16-inch HDPE pipe installed via horizontal directional drilling (HDD), along with associated appurtenances including fire hydrants, gate valves, blow-off assemblies, air release valves, and comprehensive roadway restoration work. Minimum contractor qualifications include: current licensure as an Underground Utility and Excavation Contractor or General Contractor authorized to do business in Florida; demonstrated experience with below-grade installation of at least 1,500 linear feet of 8-inch or greater water main PVC piping (required twice); HDD installation of 12-inch or greater water or wastewater HDPE pipe with a minimum length of 500 linear feet (required twice); and at least one project with a contract value of $500,000 or more. The contract duration extends 240 calendar days to substantial completion with an additional 30 calendar days for final completion, mobilization, restoration, and demobilization, with liquidated damages of $400 per day for delays to substantial completion and $100 per day for delays to final acceptance. A pre-bid meeting and site visit will be held at dates and locations specified in the OpenGov Procurement portal, with public bid opening scheduled for a date and time posted in OpenGov and on the County's Calendar of Events, and all bids must be submitted through the OpenGov Procurement portal at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/scgov.

No local or American business preferences apply due to grant funding requirements, and no set-aside designations are identified for this procurement. Bidders must meet insurance requirements including workers' compensation, commercial general liability coverage of $1,000,000 each occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate, business automobile liability of $1,000,000 combined single limit, and pollution liability of $1,000,000 per claim/occurrence; additionally, a 5% bid bond is required at submittal and performance and payment bonds equal to 100% of the contract amount are required for bids of $200,000 or more. The contractor must perform a minimum of 51 percent of the total contract price with their own organization, with the remainder available for subcontracting. No incumbent vendors or existing infrastructure integration requirements are specified; however, the contractor will be responsible for obtaining the Florida Department of Transportation Right-of-Way Use Permit, Sarasota County Right-of-Way Use Permit, and Sarasota County Utility Construction Permit, and all work must comply with permits already issued by the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County and existing geotechnical conditions documented in the project reports. The County intends to award a single construction contract to the responsive and responsible bidder submitting the lowest total bid price, provided the bid is reasonable and in the County's best interest; specific award values or budget ranges are not disclosed in the solicitation materials.