26-99379 Aggregate & Concrete Material Testing Services for 2026 Lead Service Line Replacements

Location:	Minnesota
Posted:	Mar 20, 2026
Due:	Mar 31, 2026
Agency:	City of Duluth
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	56 - Construction and Building Materials H - Quality Control, Testing, and Inspection Services
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

Attachment Preview

CITY OF DULUTH

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR

Aggregate & Concrete Material Testing Services

For 2026 Lead Service Line Replacements

RFP NUMBER 26-99379

ISSUED March 16, 2026

PROPOSALS DUE March 31, 2026 at 3:00 PM CT

SUBMIT TO

CITY OF DULUTH

ATTN: PURCHASING DIVISION

CITY HALL, ROOM 120

411 WEST 1ST STREET

DULUTH, MN 55802

Page 1 of 5

PART I - GENERAL INFORMATION

I-1.Introduction and Project Summary.

The City of Duluth Engineering Division is seeking qualified and certified firms to provide

aggregate gradations, aggregate base density, and concrete material testing services for the

2026 Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) Projects. The selected vendor shall be responsible

for conducting laboratory and field tests to ensure compliance with applicable MNDOT and City

of Duluth specifications and standards.

The City of Duluth is currently working towards replacing all lead water services to meet the

requirements of the Federal Lead & Copper Rule. Beginning in April, contractors will have been

awarded contracts and will begin replacing approximately 1,200 lead water services through the

2026 construction season.

• COD Project No. 2320 High Priority Blanket LSLR / 100 Services

• COD Project No. 2321 Spirit Valley LSLR / 433 Services

• COD Project No. 2322 Denfeld LSLR / 79 Services

• COD Project No. 2324 Endion LSLR / 110 Services

• COD Project No. 2325 East Hillside 1 LSLR / 470 Services

I-2. Calendar of Events. The City will make every effort to adhere to the following

schedule:

Activity

Date

Deadline to submit Questions via email to

purchasing@duluthmn.gov

3/24/26

Answers to questions will be posted to the City website no later

than this date.

Proposals must be received in the Purchasing Office by 3:00 PM

on this date.

3/25/26

3/31/26

I-3. Questions & Answers. Any questions regarding this RFP must be submitted

by e-mail to the Purchasing Office at purchasing@duluthmn.gov no later than the date

indicated on the Calendar of Events. Answers to the questions will be posted as an

Addendum to the RFP.

I-4. Addenda to the RFP. If the City deems it necessary to revise any part of this

RFP before the proposal response date, the City will post an addendum to its website

http://www.duluthmn.gov/purchasing/bids-request-for-proposals/. Although an e-mail

notification will be sent, it is the Bidder’s responsibility to periodically check the website

for any new information. Any addenda issued must be acknowledged on the Proposal

Sheet attached as Appendix A.

Page 2 of 5

I-5. Interviews/Demonstrations. The City reserves the right to request interviews or

demonstrations. [insert how the interviewees/demonstrators will be chosen; from top

scoring proposers, from the top # of technical scored proposers, the top# of scored

proposers].

I-6. Rejection of Proposals. The City reserves the right, in its sole and complete

discretion, to reject any and all proposals or cancel the request for proposals, at any

time prior to the time a contract is fully executed, when it is in its best interests. The City

is not liable for any costs the Bidder incurs in preparation and submission of its

proposal, in participating in the RFP process or in anticipation of award of the contract.

I-7.Small Diverse Business Information. The City encourages participation by

minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses as prime contractors, and encourages

all prime contractors to make a significant commitment to use minority, women, veteran-

owned and other disadvantaged business entities as subcontractors and suppliers. A

list of certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprises is maintained by the Minnesota

Unified Certification Program at http://mnucp.metc.state.mn.us/ .

I-8. Agreement. The awarded proposer will be required to sign the agreement attached

as Appendix B. Questions about the agreement should be submitted to

purchasing@duluthmn.gov by the question deadline in the schedule above.

I-9. Award. The agreement award amount will be based on the time and materials

submitted in the proposal, but will be a lump-sum, not-to-exceed agreement.

I-10. Term of Contract. The term of the contract will begin once the contract is fully

executed and is anticipated to end by 12/31/2026. The selected Bidder shall not start

the performance of any work nor shall the City be liable to pay the selected Bidder for

any service or work performed or expenses incurred before the contract is executed.

I-11. Mandatory Disclosures. By submitting a proposal, each Bidder understands,

represents, and acknowledges that:

A. Their proposal has been developed by the Bidder independently and has

been submitted without collusion with and without agreement,

understanding, or planned common course of action with any other vendor

or suppliers of materials, supplies, equipment, or services described in the

Request for Proposals, designed to limit independent bidding or

competition, and that the contents of the proposal have not been

communicated by the Bidder or its employees or agents to any person not

an employee or agent of the Bidder.

B. There is no conflict of interest. A conflict of interest exists if a Bidder has

any interest that would actually conflict, or has the appearance of

conflicting, in any manner or degree with the performance of work on the

project. If there are potential conflicts, identify the municipalities,

Page 3 of 5

developers, and other public or private entities with whom your company

is currently, or have been, employed and which may be affected.

C. It is not currently under suspension or debarment by the State of

Minnesota, any other state or the federal government.

D. The company is either organized under Minnesota law or has a Certificate

of Authority from the Minnesota Secretary of State to do business in

Minnesota, in accordance with the requirements in M.S. 303.03.

I-12. Notification of Selection. Bidders whose proposals are not selected will be

notified in writing.

PART II - PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

II-1. Proposal Submission. To be considered, hard copies of proposals must arrive

at the City on or before the time and date specified in the RFP Calendar of Events. The

City will not accept proposals via email or facsimile transmission. The City reserves the

right to reject or to deduct evaluation points for late proposals.

Proposals must be signed by an authorized official. If the official signs the Proposal

Cover Sheet attached as Appendix A, this requirement will be met. Proposals must

remain valid for 60 days or until a contract is fully executed. Terms of the awarded

proposal as stated must be valid for the project length of time.

Please submit four unbound (4) paper copies of the Technical Submittal and one (1)

paper copy of the Cost Submittal. The Cost Submittal should be in a separate sealed

envelope.

All materials submitted in response to this RFP will become property of the City and will

become public record after the evaluation process is completed and an award decision

made.

II-2. Proposal Content.

Interested firms must submit a proposal that includes:

Technical Proposal

• A detailed breakdown of pricing for each type of test/service.

• Laboratory certifications and relevant accreditations.

• Resume of key personnel and technician certifications.

• Estimated turnaround time for test results.

• Previous experience with similar projects (include references if available).

• Insurance and liability documentation.

Page 4 of 5

Cost Proposal

• Detailed breakdown of pricing for each type of test/service

PART III - CRITERIA FOR SELECTION

The proposals will be reviewed by City Staff. The intent of the selection process is to

review proposals and make an award based upon qualifications as described therein. A

100-point scale will be used to create the final evaluation recommendations. The factors

and weighting on which proposals will be judged are:

Cost Competitiveness

Relevant Experience and qualifications

Turnaround time for test results

Availability and responsiveness

50%

30%

10%

PART IV – PROJECT DETAIL

The scope of work includes, but is not limited to:

• QA Sampling & Gradation Analysis of Select Granular Borrow and Aggregate Base

materials. (Maximum of ten (10) Aggregate Source Samples & Gradations.)

• Random aggregate density testing of approximately 10% of sites using DCP method.

(Approximately 120 Tests.)

• Sampling, field testing, & retesting of initial non-compliant fresh concrete; and

laboratory testing of hardened concrete. (Approximately 120 Tested Samples.)

o Slump testing.

o Air content determination.

o Temperature testing.

o Compression strength tests (7-day, 14-day, 28-day).

Page 5 of 5

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.