Small Water Meter Replacement

Sarasota County is issuing an Invitation for Bids (IFB) #242589FB for a comprehensive Small Water Meter Replacement project targeting the replacement of approximately 57,500 water meters over a five-year period. The procurement seeks a contractor to perform professional changeouts and retrofits, including replacing meter bodies, registers, and endpoints for the county's water utility system, with a transition to Badger Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) cellular water meters. Bidders must demonstrate significant water meter replacement experience, with at least three references and one reference showing replacement of a minimum of 2,000 meters within the past seven years. The county will provide all meter bodies, registers, endpoints, and related materials, while the contractor is responsible for labor, supervision, tools, transportation, and technology. The project requires replacing 40-50 water meters per workday, with a breakdown of approximately 95% being 5/8" meters, 2% being 1" meters, 1% being 1.5" meters, and 2% being 2" meters. The solicitation will be released on OpenGov Procurement, with the due date set for July 25, 2024, and the contract will be awarded to the responsive and responsible bidder submitting the lowest total bid price.

The procurement does not appear to have specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, and local or American business preferences will not apply due to grant funding requirements. All waterworks and plumbing brass must comply with strict lead content regulations, containing no more than a weighted average of 0.25% lead and meeting standards like ANSI/AWWA/ASTM, NSF61, and Public Law 111-380. While a specific contract value is not explicitly stated, the large scale of replacing 57,500 meters suggests a substantial project budget. The contractor will be required to maintain comprehensive insurance coverage, including workers' compensation, commercial general liability, and business automobile liability. The contract will include a one-year warranty on all work and materials, and parts must be manufactured in the USA or meet equivalent quality standards, with Sarasota County retaining sole judgment on foreign part acceptability. Manufacturers must mark or stamp waterworks brass to indicate compliance with lead content requirements, ensuring rigorous quality control throughout the meter replacement process.