Wainwright Wastewater Treatment Plant

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Facilities Division is soliciting competitive sealed proposals for the construction of a new Wastewater Treatment Plant at the Wainwright Unit in Lovelady, Texas, under solicitation 696-FD-26-P007. The project involves the complete replacement of an existing two Million Gallons per Day (MGD) wastewater treatment system that has reached the end of its operational life, with the new facility designed to handle peak flows of 2,500 gallons per minute. Major deliverables include construction of two cast-in-place oxidation ditches with surface rotors, rehabilitation and installation of clarifiers with RAS/WAS pumping systems, a chlorine contact tank with gaseous chlorine feed system, sludge storage and drying facilities, three positive displacement aeration blowers, a diesel-powered generator, electrical and control systems, and associated piping, structures, and appurtenances. The contractor must demolish abandoned 1970s-era treatment equipment, phase construction to prevent disruption to existing operations, maintain a Quality Control Manager and three-point inspection plan, ensure complete startup of all systems, and comply with prevailing wage requirements ranging from $8.50 to $35.96 per hour depending on trade classification. Required qualifications include current trade licenses for all work classifications, financial statements demonstrating bonding capacity, detailed equipment and personnel information, completed project histories, and background clearance through TDCJ's Non-Employee Background Questionnaire for all employees. The proposal deadline is June 24, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Central Time, with a mandatory pre-proposal conference and site visit scheduled for May 27, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., the final day for vendor questions set at June 3, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., and an estimated amendment response posted by June 10, 2026.

No Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) subcontracting opportunities have been identified for this procurement, and therefore submission of a HUB Subcontracting Plan is not required. However, respondents must complete and submit 58 mandatory certifications and representations covering areas including E-Verify compliance, boycott restrictions, human trafficking prohibitions, critical infrastructure security limitations, suspension and debarment status, intellectual property indemnification, and comprehensive hold harmless provisions protecting the State of Texas and TDCJ from claims. All contractor employees are subject to stringent security protocols specific to correctional facility operations, including prohibitions on firearms and controlled substances and restrictions on inmate contact. The estimated project budget is $14,835,600.00 on a lump sum basis, with performance and payment bonds required in the full contract amount within 14 days of award. The contract performance period is 730 days, with mobilization to commence within 30 days and work to begin within 45 days of the Notice to Proceed, with liquidated damages assessed at $470.00 per day for failure to complete within the contract timeframe. Payment will be made via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), and contract performance will be reported to the Texas Comptroller's Vendor Performance Tracking System with quarterly compliance reporting required from the awarded contractor.