Routine and Non-Routine Plumbing Maintenance Services in Kern County

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Division of Procurement and Contracts is soliciting an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for routine and non-routine plumbing maintenance services at the Tejon Pass-Lebec Safety Roadside Rest Area (SRRA) in Kern County along Interstate 5. The procurement seeks a contractor to provide comprehensive plumbing services, including labor, equipment, tools, and incidentals for repairs and maintenance. Specific services encompass pipe replacements (ranging from 1/2" to 2" in PVC, copper, and galvanized materials), plumbing fixture repairs, pipe video inspection, leak detection, and hydro-jetting. The project requires specialized equipment such as backhoes, dump trucks, water trucks, and pump trucks. Estimated work quantities include 4,500 hours of routine labor, 480 hours of non-routine labor, and 240 hours of excavation services. Key deadlines include a written question submission deadline of January 15, 2026 at 5:00 p.m., bid submissions due January 27, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., and bid opening at 2:30 p.m. the same day. The proposed award date is February 3, 2026, with a contract term from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2029.

The contract includes several important set-aside and qualification provisions. Contractors must be registered with the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) and hold either a Class A General Engineering Contractor or C-36 Plumbing Contractor license from the California Contractors State Licensing Board. A five percent small business preference is available for certified small businesses, micro businesses, or small businesses for public works purposes, and a five percent Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) incentive applies with a $100,000 combined cap. Subcontracting is prohibited under this agreement. Insurance requirements are substantial, including commercial general liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate), automobile liability ($1,000,000 combined single limit), and workers' compensation with employer's liability limits of $1,000,000. Payment bonds equal to 100 percent of service request amounts exceeding $25,000 are mandatory. The State General Prevailing Wage Rates will apply as the total bid is expected to exceed $15,000. Caltrans reserves the right to terminate the agreement for default or with 30 days' notice, and no payment will be processed without a completed Payee Data Record (STD 204).