Hillsborough County seeks contractor for Windermere-area water and wastewater buildout; MBE participation offers bonus points

Hillsborough County opened a virtual pre-bid meeting for a progressive design‑build contract to install potable water and wastewater pipelines, perform demolition and well closures, and complete associated infrastructure in the Windermere service area, county staff said.

The solicitation, the county’s senior buyer Connor Fletcher said, is posted on the Bonfire procurement portal and includes a four‑page project scope. Richard Harrison, project manager for the opportunity, told attendees the selected firm will perform a route and line‑sizing optimization study, advance design to a 60% design with a guaranteed maximum price, and—if the county approves—finish design and construction including demolition and well closures.

The project description provided to bidders identifies a southern water point of connection near “Pure Maje” and an intended tie at Wild Rose Drive on Hannah to serve Windermere neighborhoods. A northern point of connection is identified near Sunset Lane and U.S. Highway 41; the county’s planning team preliminarily sized that segment as 12 inches but said the engineer must confirm final sizing. The scope calls for connecting several small systems the county has purchased, naming Cypress Cove, Nye Park and San Remo as service connections to be integrated into the new county mains.

Harrison said the county expects to grout and close existing private wells once the county system is commissioned. He estimated there are roughly eight wells across the Windermere area that would require grouting and closure, and said one water tower near Sunset Plaza will be demolished as part of the scope. Harrison also said the county has built an extension of its water main that is “in the process of being commissioned” and that the county’s schedule anticipates commissioning the system and bringing Sunset Plaza onto the county water main in October (year not specified).

Diana Walker, who represents the county’s MBE/SBE programs in Economic Development, explained bonus points and participation requirements tied to the solicitation. Walker said proposers can request five bonus points at submission by committing to at least 10% DMDWBE participation in the design phase; the solicitation sets an overall MBE goal of 14% for the full contract price. Firms requesting the bonus points must include a request letter, letters of commitment from listed MBE subcontractors and proof of county certification at bid submittal. Walker said the prime will also be required, after notice to proceed with design and before construction notice to proceed, to submit a completed subcontractor/materials list (MBE‑1 form) for the construction portion and obtain department approval.

Walker added that firms may use MBE firms that are not currently certified with Hillsborough County so long as those firms are not on the county’s denied/gradated/reciprocal lists, and that an online directory is available via the addendum and county resources to identify certified firms. A bidder asked whether second‑tier or third‑tier subcontracting to reach DBE goals is allowed; county staff said they would review the addendum and provide a formal response via Bonfire Discussions.

Fletcher reminded attendees that only written addenda can modify the bid documents, that the “code of silence” in the solicitation limits bidder contact to listed procurement staff, and that questions must be submitted in writing through Bonfire. The county noted one addendum has already been published for the solicitation. The pre‑bid meeting recording and referenced materials will be posted to the county’s YouTube channel and the Bonfire portal.

No formal actions or votes were taken during the meeting; staff answered procedural questions and directed bidders to submit clarifying questions in writing.

The county encouraged bidders to review preliminary survey materials referenced by staff—including topographic and site surveys for the wastewater plant and proposed pipeline segments—and to use the planning documents posted on Bonfire when preparing proposals.