St. Helena WWTP Dredging

The Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority (BJWSA) is soliciting bids for a dredging project at the St. Helena Wastewater Treatment Plant located in St. Helena Island, South Carolina. The procurement involves excavating and removing approximately 1,500 dry tons of solids from an aerobic digester measuring 165 feet by 165 feet with a 13-foot depth and concrete liner. Contractors must transport the dredged materials to a landfill of their selection and complete all work by June 30, 2026. Key deliverables include a comprehensive dredging operation that requires submitting references for three similar projects, an Experience Modifier Rate, and a detailed Health and Safety Plan. The evaluation criteria will focus on the lowest total cost, with BJWSA reserving the right to adjust quantities and costs. A mandatory pre-bid conference and site visit is scheduled for January 29, 2026, at 9:30 AM, with electronic questions accepted until February 5, 2026, at 4:00 PM. Bids are due February 17, 2026, at 2:00 PM through the BJWSA Procurement Portal, with a virtual bid opening occurring at the same time.

The contract includes a Small and Minority Business Enterprise (SMBE) good faith effort requirement, mandating that bidders either self-perform 100 percent of the work or demonstrate comprehensive outreach to small and minority-owned businesses at least fifteen business days before the bid deadline. Contractors must obtain specific insurance coverages, including $1,000,000 in Commercial General Liability and Automobile Liability, with BJWSA named as an additional insured for eight years post-completion. All bidders must comply with South Carolina's Illegal Immigration Reform Act and register with E-Verify. While no specific incumbent vendors are mentioned, contractors will need to integrate their work with existing wastewater treatment plant infrastructure, referencing the 1984 and 1994 record drawings provided. Though a precise budget range is not specified, the procurement is structured on a cost-per-dry-ton pricing model, with an estimated 1,500 dry tons of material to be removed, suggesting a potentially significant project value that would cover equipment, labor, mobilization, performance and payment bonds, and transportation and landfill dumping fees.