Hillside Water Tank Retrofit Project

The County of Ontario (the “County”), will receive sealed bids for IFB# B26047 Hillside Water Tank Retrofit Project . Such sealed bids must be filed with the Ontario County Purchasing Director, 20 Ontario Street, Canandaigua, New York 14424, PRIOR TO 3:00 pm on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at which time said bids will be publicly opened and read.

Project work includes replacement of steel bracing on 5-legged water tank to increase structural capacity to support emergency communications equipment .

Only sealed hard copy bids will be accepted for this solicitation. New York State GML does not allow us to accept electronic bids for Public Works contracts.

Project Background

Ontario County seeks to enhance the reliability of its emergency radio communications network through the co-location of communications equipment at an existing Seneca County communications facility mounted on a 165-foot elevated water tank located at 4881 McGrane Road in the Town of Romulus, New York.

A structural analysis of the water tank was completed by a licensed professional engineer to evaluate the structure’s capacity to support the proposed additional communications loading. The analysis determined that certain structural members, specifically the diagonal steel bracing rods between five water tank support legs, do not meet current applicable structural standards for emergency communications tower loading and therefore require reinforcement.

WSP USA, Inc. has prepared construction drawings and technical specifications for the required structural reinforcements and will serve as Engineer of Record for the project. Ontario County will administer and manage the construction contract, while Seneca County will coordinate site access and inspections per applicable code.

Except where explicitly specified in the contract documents, construction means and methods shall remain the responsibility of the Contractor and are subject to review and approval by the County and the Engineer of Record. The Contractor shall retain a New York State-licensed professional engineer to design all required temporary bracing and stabilization measures necessary during the staged removal and replacement of individual diagonal steel bracing rods. Replacement rods and associated hardware shall be hot-dip galvanized and remain unpainted. Gusset plates and all field welds shall be painted as specified to match the existing paint type and color.

Inspection reports completed in 2015 and 2022 identified a positive preliminary result for lead within the existing exterior primer coating. Any disturbance of existing coatings shall be performed in full compliance with applicable OSHA, EPA, and New York State regulations, and in accordance with the requirements contained in the contract specifications and construction drawings.

Ontario County anticipates award of contract on or about April 16, 2026. Contractors shall submit, as part of their bid, a detailed and realistic project schedule identifying all major phases of work, including mobilization, staging, surface preparation, temporary bracing installation/structural steel replacement, painting, inspections, and substantial completion date. The schedule shall clearly identify the anticipated duration of each activity, sequencing of work to maintain structural stability, and any long-lead material procurement risks or supply-chain constraints. Due to the critical public safety function of the facility, the County requires an efficient and proactive construction approach, with substantial completion achieved as expeditiously as practicable following notice to proceed.

This project is subject to Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise participation goals of 30 percent, consisting of 15 percent Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE) participation and 15 percent Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) participation. Bidders are expected to make good-faith efforts to achieve these participation goals through the utilization of certified MWBE firms, either as contractors or subcontractors. Documentation demonstrating MWBE participation commitments, or evidence of good-faith efforts where goals cannot be fully achieved, shall be submitted in accordance with the requirements outlined in the bid documents and applicable New York State regulations.