Water Watch Program

Orange County, Florida, through its Utilities Procurement Division, is soliciting bids for the Water Watch Program (Contract Y25-1038), an initiative designed to enforce and educate residents about water conservation ordinances in unincorporated Orange County. The procurement is an Invitation for Bids (IFB) seeking a contractor to provide comprehensive water restriction monitoring services, including patrolling residential and commercial properties seven days a week during non-watering hours (4 PM to 10 AM). The selected contractor must provide a comprehensive staffing structure including a Program Manager, Field Supervisor, Field Patrollers, Irrigation Technicians, and Administrative Support personnel, with a minimum requirement of 5,200 annual patroller hours. Key deliverables include documenting watering violations, taking photographic evidence, issuing warnings and potential $25 fines, resetting irrigation controllers, and providing monthly reports detailing program metrics. All personnel must undergo background checks, drug screenings, and possess specific certifications such as FNGLA Certified Landscape Irrigation Service Technician. Electronic submissions are required through the OpenGov e-Procurement Platform by September 16, 2025, at 4:00 pm EST, with a deadline for questions on August 28, 2025, at 5:00 pm EST.

The solicitation does not explicitly indicate specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The contract appears open to qualified vendors who can meet the comprehensive staffing and certification requirements. While no incumbent vendor is definitively named, the Project Information Sheet mentions "Aqua Cops" as a potential vendor. The estimated contract budget is $527,523, with the contract structured for an initial three-year term starting November 20, 2025, and an option to extend for two additional one-year periods. The fee schedule estimates 600 hours for Program Management, 10,400 hours for Field Supervision, 36,400 hours for Field Patrollers/Irrigation Technicians, 10,400 hours for Administrative Support, and 504,920 miles for program delivery over the five-year potential contract period. Bidders must be members in good standing with professional organizations like the Florida Irrigation Society or Florida Nursery Growers Landscape Association and will be required to maintain $1,000,000 in commercial general liability coverage. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder meeting all qualification requirements, with Orange County reserving the right to terminate the contract for non-performance.