Waterline Extension Phase 2

The Town of Montross, Virginia, in Westmoreland County, is soliciting sealed bids for the Waterline Extension Phase 2 project, a water distribution system upgrade managed by ARM Group LLC as the project engineer. The procurement encompasses approximately 4,650 linear feet of 6-inch C-900 PVC waterline, 3,000 linear feet of service laterals with 60 service connections, five fire hydrants, ten gate valves with boxes, and three road crossings utilizing horizontal directional drilling (HDD) with 12-inch HDPE SDR 11 casing totaling approximately 143 linear feet, along with all associated materials, labor, and work necessary for system completion. The project is divided into three sections, with Section 3 (Peach Grove Lane to Forest Drive) requiring substantial completion by August 31, 2026, before construction begins on Sections 1 and 2, due to ARPA grant funding requirements. The contractor must provide 100 percent performance and payment bonds, furnish an experience and equipment list, and comply with all federal, state, and local regulations including Virginia Department of Health and Department of Environmental Quality standards for potable water supply, as well as American Iron and Steel requirements mandating domestic production of specified iron and steel products. Bids were due by 2:00 p.m. prevailing local time on April 24, 2026, with submission accepted either in person at the Town office or through Virginia's eVA electronic procurement system; a non-mandatory pre-bid conference was held on March 27, 2026, at the Town of Montross office. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, with liquidated damages of $350 per day assessed for failure to achieve substantial completion within 270 days and final completion within 300 days after contract commencement.

The contract does not specify set-aside designations or restrictions limiting participation to disadvantaged enterprises or minority-owned businesses. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the procurement documents. The project requires integration with the existing Town of Montross water distribution system, and the contractor must coordinate with the Town's designee regarding utility locating, permit acquisition, staging area establishment, and quality assurance inspections of pressure testing. Bid security equal to five percent of the bid amount is required in the form of a certified check or bid bond, and bidders must acknowledge receipt of all five addenda issued between March 18, 2026, and April 16, 2026, and certify site familiarity and compliance with federal and state regulations. Progress payments will be estimated at 95 percent of completed work with five percent retainage, with retainage eliminated after 50 percent completion if progress is satisfactory. Although no specific budget range or award value is disclosed in the procurement documents, the project scope and complexity, combined with the federal USDA Rural Utilities Service financing and comprehensive technical requirements, indicate a substantial capital improvement contract requiring experienced contractors with demonstrated expertise in water distribution system installation and HDD technology.