Repump Station No. 8310 Upgrades and Improvements

Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department issued a sealed-bid solicitation for the Repump Station No. 8310 Upgrades and Improvements project (WUD 18-064R), with bids due on August 11, 2021, at 2:00 PM at the Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department Administration Building, 8100 Forest Hill Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida. The project encompasses comprehensive demolition of an existing repump pumping station and abandoned building, followed by construction of a new replacement facility featuring auger cast pile supported concrete equipment pads, a pole barn, retaining wall, and installation of mechanical and electrical equipment, with site grading and improvements. Deliverables include relocation of existing generator, portable engine-driven pump, and chemical storage equipment, as well as temporary bypass pumping operations. The work scope also encompasses new pumps, piping, valve replacements, variable frequency drives, lighting, instrumentation, control panels, radio antenna installation, and all related appurtenances. A non-mandatory pre-bid conference was held on July 20, 2021, at 10:15 AM at the Central Region Operations Center with an accompanying site visit at Repump Station No. 8310 (1401 NW 1st Avenue, South Bay, Florida) at 11:30 AM. The contract duration is 270 calendar days from Notice to Proceed for Substantial Completion, with Final Completion required within 30 days thereafter, with tentative Notice to Proceed set for January 20, 2021, Substantial Completion by October 17, 2022, and Final Completion by November 16, 2022. Bidders must demonstrate Florida or Palm Beach County licensing, provide comprehensive subcontractor lists with verified certifications, submit bid security equal to five percent of the bid price, and comply with living wage requirements of $12.83 per hour, E-Verify employment verification, and criminal history records checks for unescorted facility access.

The solicitation includes mandatory Equal Business Opportunity (EBO) requirements with a minimum 20% participation threshold, of which 3% must be among certified African American and/or Hispanic American-owned firms, with non-compliant bids deemed non-responsive and no rounding allowed. Local preference provisions apply to Palm Beach County businesses, requiring certification of business location, and potentially allowing a 5% reduction in bid amounts. The Engineer's opinion of probable construction cost is $3,240,000, establishing the project budget range. Liquidated damages are assessed at $500.00 per calendar day for delays beyond the Substantial Completion date and $250.00 per calendar day for delays exceeding thirty days beyond the Substantial Completion date, incentivizing adherence to the contractual schedule. Contract award was anticipated within ninety calendar days of the bid opening date, absent any bid protests, with the successful bidder required to execute the contract within fourteen calendar days of notification and furnish a public construction bond of 100% upon contract execution. The bid documents included allowance line items totaling $100,000, comprising $25,000 for Site Work, $15,000 for Utility Relocation, $50,000 for Permit Fees, and $10,000 for Miscellaneous Instrumentation and Programming.