Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery Irrigation Expansion

The State of Rhode Island Department of Administration, Division of Purchases, is requesting quotations for installation of approximately 1,800 feet of in-ground irrigation piping and six gate valves at Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Exeter under RFQ 26006772, with proposals due August 11, 2026 at 1:15 p.m. EDT. Minority Business Enterprise participation of at least 15% of total contract value is required — a hard set-aside.

The scope involves placing pipe and valves along the inner ring road to serve six burial fields (E, G, H, I, J, and AS1) spanning approximately 31 acres, with placement restricted to avoid obstruction of cemetery roads or disruption of burial fields. The project replaces labor-intensive water-buffalo transport and enables staff to use fire hoses and sprinklers from newly installed gate valve access points during dry periods. Substantial completion is required by November 30, 2026, and final completion by February 28, 2027. The base bid includes a $5,000 allowance for unforeseen utilities or other irrigation systems.

Contractors must hold a valid Rhode Island Contractors' Registration Certificate and submit a bid surety bond or certified check equal to 5% of the cost proposal. Required insurance includes Commercial General Liability ($2 million per occurrence), Workers' Compensation ($200,000), Automobile Liability ($1 million), Professional Liability ($2 million), and Inland Marine coverage ($1 million). Work is subject to prevailing wage requirements. A contract administrative fee of 0.33% of total contract value will be withheld from invoices. Liquidated damages are assessed at $200 per day for delays beyond substantial completion.

A non-mandatory pre-bid conference is scheduled for July 21, 2026 at 11:30 a.m. EST at the cemetery's Administration Building. Vendor questions are due July 30, 2026 at 1:15 p.m. EDT via Ocean State Procures. All proposals must be submitted electronically through Ocean State Procures; email, mail, fax, and hand delivery are not accepted. Bid pricing must be firm, F.O.B. destination with inside delivery included. The State reserves the right to make one or multiple awards or reject all bids.