Valve Box (Bid-Discount)

The City of Tampa, located in Hillsborough County, Florida, is conducting an Invitation to Bid (ITB) for Valve Boxes, targeting multiple municipal departments. The procurement encompasses 13 line items including valve box covers for water and sewer systems, valve box risers in various sizes, and different valve box sections. Technical specifications require valve boxes manufactured from Class 35 Grey Iron, designed for underground valve access at depths of two feet or greater and suitable for heavy vehicle traffic areas. Manufacturers like Union Foundry, Sunshine Foundry, and Pipeline Components, Inc. are eligible to bid, with potential requirements to submit shop drawings and samples upon request. The bid is scheduled to be received by the Director of Purchasing until 1:30 pm on Friday, April 25, 2025, with an anticipated one-year award period that may include two additional one-year renewal options. Bidders must submit proposals electronically through the OpenGov eProcurement Portal, following specific documentation and submission instructions.

The solicitation includes significant small business and diversity participation components, offering bid discounts for certified businesses. Small Local Business Enterprise (SLBE) bidders can receive up to a $10,000 discount, while Underutilized Woman and Minority Owned Business Enterprise (U-WMBE) bidders can receive up to a $20,000 discount, which will be applied during bid evaluation. The procurement emphasizes equal business opportunity, with a focus on non-discrimination and encouraging participation from small and minority-owned businesses. Specific forms such as MBD-30 (Subcontractors Payment Form), MBD-40 (Letter of Intent), and MBD-70 (Procurement Guidelines) are required to support these objectives. The total budget for this solicitation is $48,000, with the Mobility/Inventory department overseeing the procurement process. Bidders must comply with the City of Tampa's ethical standards, legal requirements, and provide detailed vendor responses, with potential for bid rejection if technical specifications are not met or requested materials are not provided.