Temporary/Relief Water Treatment Plant Operator IFB 16-10019

The Department of State Hospitals (DSH) in Atascadero, California, is seeking a contractor to provide Temporary/Relief Water Treatment Plant Operator services through Invitation for Bid (IFB) #16-10019-000. The procurement covers San Luis Obispo County and Anaheim City, with a focus on maintaining wastewater treatment, water treatment, and water distribution systems. Specific deliverables include operating and maintaining sewage treatment plant infrastructure, repairing clarifiers, bio-filters, digesters, equipment, pumps, lines, and motors, as well as managing domestic water wells and ensuring water testing requirements are met. The contractor must provide certified technicians within four hours of notification, capable of working weekdays and weekends. Required certifications include Grade II Wastewater Treatment Operator, Grade D2 Water Distribution Operator, and Grade T2 Water Treatment Operator, along with an active Contract Operators License from the State Water Resources Control Board. The bid submission deadline is April 14, 2016, at 2:00 PM, with a mandatory bidder's conference scheduled for April 7, 2016. The anticipated contract term runs from July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2018, with services expected to cover 80 hours per month for two staff members.

The procurement offers preferences for Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises, with a 5% bid preference available for certified small businesses. Contractors must provide comprehensive insurance coverage, including Commercial General Liability, Pollution/Environmental Impairment Liability, Motor Vehicle Liability, and Workers' Compensation. The contract is classified as temporary relief staffing, which exempts it from prevailing wage and certified payroll requirements. Contractors must ensure staff are confined space trained/certified, follow OSHA protocols, undergo background checks, and adhere to drug-free workplace standards. While not explicitly required for intermittent coverage, the ideal contractor will have a staff member listed as Chief Plant Operator with the State Water Resources Control Board. The contract will be encumbered based on an hourly rate, with services anticipated for a maximum of eight hours per day on an as-needed basis. Bi-weekly sampling will be conducted, with an existing sampling contract in place through 2017. Though specific budget details are not provided, the contract suggests a comprehensive staffing solution for critical water treatment infrastructure maintenance.