Water Interconnection to Ridgeville - Phase 2B

Dorchester County Water & Sewer in South Carolina is issuing Invitation for Bids (IFB) No. 2026-47 for the Water Interconnection to Ridgeville - Phase 2B project, a municipal water infrastructure development initiative. The procurement seeks qualified contractors to execute a comprehensive water main installation project encompassing approximately 27,000 linear feet of new 16-inch water main via open-cut and trenchless methods, including one jack and bore operation and five horizontal directional drill operations. Additional deliverables include installation of approximately 10 linear feet of 12-inch water main, 32 16-inch gate valves, one 12-inch gate valve, 22 fire hydrant assemblies, eight air release valves, 79 new water service lines, surface restoration, sediment and erosion control measures, traffic management, and all incidental work necessary for project completion. The contractor must furnish all labor, tools, materials, equipment, and supervision while adhering to DCWS minimum standards, AWWA standards, and ASTM specifications, with all materials manufactured in the United States. The project requires substantial completion within 360 calendar days from the Notice to Proceed, with final completion within 30 calendar days thereafter, subject to liquidated damages of $1,000 per day for delays. Bids must be submitted electronically through the OpenGov Procurement Portal by February 26, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., with a non-mandatory pre-bid meeting scheduled for February 4, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in Summerville, South Carolina, and the deadline for written questions set for February 12, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Evaluation will be based on unit pricing for specific line items including pipe installation by material type and installation method, fittings, valves, services, and restoration activities.

All contractors and subcontractors must be registered in the federal System for Award Management (SAM) and cannot be debarred from federal contracting, as the project may be funded in whole or in part through the South Carolina Infrastructure Investment Program (SCIIP) via American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. Bid security of at least 5 percent of the total bid amount in the form of a bond, certified check, or cashier's check is required for bids exceeding $25,000, while successful bidders must furnish performance and payment bonds equal to 100 percent of the contract amount. Insurance requirements mandate General Liability coverage of $1,000,000, Automobile Liability of $1,000,000, Workers' Compensation as required by state law, and Owners' and Contractors' Protective Liability of $1,000,000 for this construction project exceeding $1,000,000. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the procurement documents. Payment shall be made within 30 days of approved invoices, with contractors eligible for 90 percent payment during construction and retainage reduced to 5 percent upon reaching 75 percent project completion, followed by full payment upon final completion. The specific award value or budget range is not disclosed in the available procurement documentation.