Valve Exercising and Maintenance

Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA), Wilmington, North Carolina, is requesting qualifications for a valve exercising and maintenance program serving New Hanover County, with statements of qualifications due July 8, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. This is a qualifications-based selection; questions are due July 2, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

The scope includes locating, identifying, assessing, inspecting, and exercising water distribution valves; performing minor repairs; collecting mapping-grade GPS data; and creating a database integrable into CFPUA's GIS (ESRI) system. The program serves over 200,000 residential and commercial customers throughout New Hanover County and aims to extend asset life expectancy and reduce long-term operations and maintenance costs.

Minimum reference requirements are substantial: 100,000 valve assessments, 1,500 assessments of 16-inch or larger valves, 10,000 shutdowns and shutdown coordination activities, and at least one North Carolina project reference completed within the last five years. The selected firm must directly employ a project manager with five years of continuous field and supervisory experience and a GIS information manager holding current GISP certification. The contractor must provide a web-based project management dashboard with real-time program metrics hosted by the prime contractor — this service cannot be outsourced.

Evaluation follows four equally weighted criteria (25 points each): Project Understanding & Approach, Relevant Firm Experience / Qualifications / References, Overall Staff Experience Proposed for the Project, and Scheduling / Capacity / Equipment / Data Management Capabilities. Contract insurance includes Commercial General Liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate, Workers' Compensation, and Business Auto Insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence combined single limits, with CFPUA named as additional insured. The contractor must comply with E-Verify, Iran Divestment Act certification, and CFPUA's ISO 14001 Environmental Management System policy. No bid bond is required. Contract compensation and final term will be negotiated following firm selection, with completion anticipated by August 25, 2026, and execution required within ten calendar days of receipt.