Safe Drinking Water Systems and Maintenance Services

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB #11A2433) for Safe Drinking Water Systems and Maintenance Services targeting Caltrans-owned or leased construction field offices in San Diego and Imperial Counties. The procurement seeks a contractor to provide and maintain safe drinking water systems with specific technical requirements, including a 17-gallon on-demand capacity deployed across 12 total locations (9 in San Diego County and 3 in Imperial County). The contract will cover a 24-month period from March 1, 2016, through February 28, 2018, with services to be provided during regular business hours Monday through Friday, excluding state holidays. Bidders must demonstrate a minimum of two years of prior experience providing maintenance services for safe drinking water systems and submit two experience letters documenting this expertise. Technical specifications include system footprint limitations (24"W x 24"D), ergonomic dispensing height of 36", and hygienic safety standards such as advanced filtering capabilities, bacteria removal, and self-cleaning features. The bid submission deadline is February 16, 2016, at 2:15 PM, with bid opening at 3:00 PM the same day, and written questions are due by February 9, 2016.

The procurement includes a Small Business (SB) preference with a 25% participation goal, and while no mandatory Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) goal exists, DVBE participation is encouraged with potential incentives ranging from 1-5% based on participation levels. Contractors must provide 24/7 emergency response service and be located within or adjacent to San Diego and Imperial Counties. The successful vendor will be required to maintain ISO certifications and meet comprehensive technical and operational standards for water system maintenance. No specific incumbent vendor information is provided in the documentation, and no explicit budget range or award value is detailed in the available materials. Potential bidders should note the emphasis on small business participation and the technical complexity of the water system maintenance requirements, which may limit the pool of qualified respondents to those with specialized expertise in water filtration and dispensing technologies.