Large Diameter Pipeline Inspection and Condition Assessment

The City of Tucson Water Department is seeking qualified firms to provide comprehensive on-call inspection and condition assessment services for its pipeline infrastructure. The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to identify experienced firms with the technology, equipment, technical expertise, resources, and proven methodologies necessary to evaluate the current condition of water distribution and transmission mains.

The inspection and assessment programs are a critical component of our asset management strategy, designed to:

1. Ensure long-term reliability, safety, and performance of our pipeline network.
2. Identify defects, deterioration, or potential failure risks before they compromise service.
3. Support data-driven decisions regarding maintenance, rehabilitation, or replacement.
4. Comply with regulatory requirements and industry best practices for pipeline integrity management.

The selected firm will be expected to perform inspection, data collection, and condition assessment using advanced technologies and methodologies appropriate for large-diameter and/or critical pipelines. The resulting data and analysis will form the basis for prioritizing capital improvements and optimizing operational performance.

This RFP outlines the scope of services, minimum qualifications, and proposal requirements. Respondents are invited to submit proposals that demonstrate their technical capabilities, project approach, and relevant experience in delivering inspection and condition assessment programs for complex pipeline systems.

On February 5th, 1999, the City of Tucson suffered its single, largest water transmission line failure in its history, causing approximately 38 million gallons of water to be drained from its largest reservoir, most of which ran through a nearby neighborhood. This single catastrophic failure cost the city approximately $5,000,000 in property and collateral damage and resulted in the condemnation of 12 homes. In response to the City's commitment to implementing a condition assessment program, Tucson Water implemented its own “Pipeline Protection Program” (PPP), which is now managed under the Operational Reliability Condition Assessment (ORCA) division for Tucson Water.