University of Alaska seeks bids to rehabilitate water main at UAS Juneau campus

The University of Alaska is taking bids through Nov. 25 to rehabilitate about 2,560 feet of drinking water main at the University of Alaska Southeast's Juneau campus.

The official notice lists slip lining among the major work elements. Slip lining is a method that threads new plastic pipe, in this case HDPE, inside the campus's existing ductile iron mains. The work also includes replacing and reconnecting fittings, digging and restoring access pits, setting up temporary water service, testing and disinfecting the pipe, traffic and pedestrian control, and environmental protection.

The campus water system supplies both domestic use and fire protection, according to the 2012 UAS Campus Master Plan. That plan describes a 16-inch City and Borough of Juneau main serving a pump house, with separate branches to the main campus, the recreation center and student housing.

The notice says funding for the project is available. It does not give an estimated contract value or say where the money comes from.

The notice says state law requires the contract to go to the lowest responsive and responsible "Alaska Bidder" after preferences are applied. University procurement guidance says those preferences apply when state appropriations pay for a purchase, not federal or private money. It sets a 5% Alaska Bidder Preference and Alaska Products Preferences of 3% to 7%. Bidders must post bid security, and the university may reject any or all bids.

A pre-bid conference is set for 10 am Nov. 10. Bid documents are posted on Bid Express, where requests to use alternate brands are due by 5 pm Nov. 10 and questions by 2 pm Nov. 13. Bids are due by 2 pm Nov. 25, when they will be opened and read aloud by teleconference.

The university estimates work could begin Dec. 18, with substantial completion by June 19, 2027.