U. S Highway 27 Utility (Gas) Turnpike Relocation Project

The City of Leesburg, Florida is seeking a qualified Florida-licensed contractor for the U.S. Highway 27 Utility (Gas) Turnpike Relocation Project, specifically to abandon and install approximately 1,500 feet of 6-inch steel natural gas main. The project requires contractors to be certified under API 1104 and meet the City of Leesburg Natural Gas Department's Operator Qualifications. Key deliverables include boring under the Florida Turnpike, installing gas mains via open trench and directional drilling methods, performing pressure testing, and completing restoration work. The procurement is structured as an Invitation for Bid (IFB) No. 26-002-HG, with a mandatory pre-bid conference held on October 15, 2025, at the Venetian Center. Written questions were due by October 21, 2025, at 4:00 P.M., with bid submissions required by November 5, 2025, at 1:00 P.M. The city will provide all pipe, fittings, and coatings, while the contractor must supply labor, equipment, tools, and incidentals. Evaluation will likely focus on contractor qualifications, technical compliance, and pricing.

The solicitation does not explicitly indicate specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. However, the project requires contractors with at least five years of business experience and references from similar projects completed within the past five years. The bid requires a 5% bid bond and a 100% performance and payment bond, with liquidated damages of $1,685 per day for delays beyond the substantial completion date of February 12, 2026. The project is partially funded by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), which mandates compliance with federal procurement standards and contract provisions. Contractors must be registered with the E-Verify system and comply with domestic preference requirements for federally funded procurements. While no specific budget range is provided, the comprehensive itemized price schedule includes ten major cost categories covering mobilization, traffic maintenance, testing, erosion control, trench safety, connections, and restoration, suggesting a substantial project investment.