RFB Electric 9608 27-01 Trent River Boring Project

CITY OF NEW BERN
REQUEST FOR BID
TRENT RIVER BORING PROJECT
Project Title: Trent River Boring Project
RFB Number: RFB Electric 9608 27-01
Project Location: Trent River Crossing, New Bern, North Carolina
Bids Due: October 27, 2026 - 4:00 PM
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Click a section title to jump to that section.
Project Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Funding and Award Contingency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Scope of Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Procurement Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Instructions to Bidders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Submission Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Bonding Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Questions and Addenda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Bidder Responsibility Evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Method of Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Contract Terms and Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Bid Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Exhibit A - Notice to Proceed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Exhibit B - Project Drawings (Trent River Crossing) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Exhibit C - HDPE Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Exhibit D - City of New Bern Purchase Order Terms and Conditions 14
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PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The City of New Bern is requesting bids for boring construction and the installation of one (1) HDPE pipe
across the Trent River. This work will facilitate the conversion of the electric distribution circuit known as the
70 East feeder from overhead to underground.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Request for Bids (RFB) is to obtain competitive bids from qualified contractors for the
Trent River Boring Project.
This solicitation is conducted as a formal construction bidding process in accordance with N.C.G.S. 143-
129 and other applicable North Carolina public contracting requirements.
This RFB is intended to describe the work to be performed and the conditions under which the City of New
Bern will contract with the successful bidder. All applicable North Carolina General Statutes and, if
applicable, federal requirements shall be followed.
FUNDING AND AWARD CONTINGENCY
This Request for Bids is issued solely for the purpose of obtaining competitive bids and establishing project
costs. Any contract award is contingent upon approval and appropriation of funds by the City of New Bern
Board of Aldermen and completion of all required pre-audit and statutory approvals. The issuance of this
RFB does not obligate the City to award a contract. If funding is not approved or otherwise becomes
unavailable, the City reserves the right to reject any or all bids, waive informalities as permitted by law,
cancel or readvertise this solicitation, or make no award without liability to any bidder.
SCOPE OF WORK
The Contractor shall furnish and perform the following work:
Boring -
a. One (1) HDPE pipe with a minimum inside diameter of 15 inches, corresponding to a 20-inch outside
diameter HDPE pipe, installed from the proposed entry/exit points in accordance with Exhibit C.
b. All setup and cleanup required at entry & exit point locations
c. All expendable material, i.e., drilling fluid, lubricant, etc.
The following items are excluded from the Contractor's scope and will be provided by the City:
Boring -
a. Entry/Exit location Quazite boxes (provided by the City of New Bern utility)
Regulatory Compliance
The Contractor shall be responsible for permits, approvals, and inspections assigned to the Contractor in the
Contract Documents and shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and
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ordinances. City encroachment permits may be required and, if required, shall be the responsibility of the
Contractor.
The Contractor shall perform all work in accordance with the requirements of applicable regulatory agencies
having jurisdiction over the project. Any fines, penalties, or corrective actions resulting from the Contractor's
failure to comply with such requirements shall be the responsibility of the Contractor.
The Contractor shall complete all work required under this contract within one hundred twenty (120)
calendar days from the date of the Notice to Proceed.
PROCUREMENT SCHEDULE
Activity Date
Advertisement / Posting Date September 25, 2026
Deadline for Questions October 9, 2026 - 5:00 PM
Responses Issued by
October 13, 2026 - 5:00 PM
Addendum
Bid Submission Due October 27, 2026 - 4:00 PM
Public Bid Opening and
October 27, 2026 - 4:00 PM
Tabulation
Board Consideration / Award Following bid evaluation and Board of
(Anticipated) Aldermen approval/appropriation
IN STRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS
Bidders shall submit a complete bid package in accordance with the requirements of this Request for Bids.
Bidders shall provide sufficient information to demonstrate their ability to perform the work, including relevant
experience on similar construction projects. Such information will be used solely to determine bidder
responsibility.
North Carolina Contractor Licensure. The work is subject to the contractor-licensing requirements of
Chapter 87, Article 1 of the North Carolina General Statutes. A bidder whose work is subject to Article 1
must be properly licensed and must show evidence of the required North Carolina general contractor license
before its bid is considered. The license must have a classification and limitation appropriate for the work.
See N.C.G.S. 87-1 and 87-15.
Failure to submit information expressly identified as a required bid-submission document may render the bid
non-responsive. Failure to demonstrate the minimum responsibility qualifications may result in a
determination that the bidder is not responsible.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
This procurement is subject to the minimum-bid requirements of N.C.G.S. 143-132. If fewer than three
competitive bids are received following the first advertisement, the City will readvertise as required by law.
Bidders shall submit a complete bid package including the following:
1. Completed Bid Form, signed by an authorized representative
2. Total Bid Price as indicated on the Bid Form
3. Addenda Acknowledgment (Bid Form)
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4. Bid Bond (5%), submitted with the bid
5. Bidder Minimum Qualifications/Responsibility information required by this RFB
6. Required subcontractor information (if needed)
7. Evidence of required North Carolina general contractor licensure, including license number, classification,
and limitation
Bid shall be submitted in a sealed envelope clearly marked:
"RFB Electric 9608 27-01 - Trent River Boring Project"
Bids must be received no later than October 27, 2026 - 4:00 PM. Late bids will not be accepted.
Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud on October 27, 2026, at 4:00 PM at City of New Bern
Purchasing, 606 Fort Totten Drive, 2nd Floor, New Bern, NC 28560. Bid tabulation will be made available in
accordance with applicable North Carolina public records law.
Bids may be mailed or delivered to:
Jenna Lanfor, Purchasing Manager
City of New Bern
606 Fort Totten Drive, 2nd Floor
New Bern, NC 28560
(252)-639-2800
BONDING REQUIREMENTS
Each bid shall be accompanied by bid security in an amount not less than five percent (5%) of the total bid
price, in a form permitted by N.C.G.S. 143-129, including cash, cashier's check, certified check, or a bid
bond executed by a corporate surety licensed to do business in North Carolina. The bid security guarantees
that the bidder will execute the contract and furnish required bonds and insurance if awarded. Failure to
provide the required bid security with the bid shall result in the bid being deemed non-responsive.
The successful bidder shall furnish the following prior to execution of the contract:
1. Performance Bond in the amount of one hundred percent (100%) of the contract price, in accordance with
applicable North Carolina law.
2. Payment Bond in the amount of one hundred percent (100%) of the contract price, in accordance with
applicable North Carolina law.
Bonds shall be executed by a surety authorized to do business in the State of North Carolina.
Failure to provide required bonds shall be grounds for award cancellation.
QUESTIONS AND ADDENDA
All questions shall be submitted in writing via email to Joshua J. Poston, T & D Manager - Electric Utilities, at
PostonJ@newbernnc.gov no later than October 9, 2026 - 5:00 PM. The subject line shall read: "RFB Electric
9608 27-01 - Trent River Boring Project."
Responses to questions will be issued by written addendum as needed and posted in sufficient time for
bidders to prepare their bids. Bidders are responsible for monitoring the solicitation for issued addenda.
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No information, instruction, or advice provided orally or informally by any City personnel shall be considered
authoritative. Bidders shall rely only on written addenda.
BIDDER RESPONSIBILITY EVALUATION
The following requirements are minimum responsibility qualifications and will be evaluated on a Pass/Fail
basis. They are not scored criteria and will not be used to rank bids. The City will evaluate the apparent low
bidder first and may verify any information submitted.
A. Comparable Project Experience
Provide documentation of at least three (3) successfully completed horizontal directional drilling or boring
projects of comparable technical complexity completed within the previous five (5) years. At least one (1)
project shall demonstrate a substantial water crossing or other comparable subsurface boring condition.
For each project, provide the project name and location, owner, owner contact information, year completed,
approximate bore length and diameter, pipe or conduit type and size, original and final contract amount, and
a brief description of the work performed.
B. Key Personnel
Identify the proposed project manager, superintendent or field supervisor, and drilling supervisor/operator
who will be assigned to the project. Provide a summary of each individual's experience with comparable
horizontal directional drilling work.
C. Equipment and Technical Capacity
Identify the principal drilling equipment proposed for the work and provide sufficient information to
demonstrate that the equipment and proposed methodology are appropriate for the required bore.
D. Current Workload and Availability
Identify current projects and commitments that could affect the bidder's ability to mobilize and complete this
project within the required Contract Time.
E. Subcontractors
Identify any subcontractor that will perform a material portion of the horizontal directional drilling work and
provide relevant comparable experience information for that subcontractor.
F. Legal, Financial, and Performance History
Disclose any material lawsuits, liens, claims, contract termination for default, material performance failure, or
unresolved construction claim involving the bidder during the previous five (5) years, together with an
explanation of the circumstances.
The City may contact project owners and references, verify submitted information, and request additional
information reasonably necessary to determine bidder responsibility. Failure to provide required or
requested information within the time specified by the City may result in a determination that the bidder is
not responsible.
Nothing in this section converts this Request for Bids into a qualifications-based or scored procurement. If
an award is made, it will be based on the formal-bid award standard stated in this RFB and applicable North
Carolina law.
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METHOD OF AWARD
If an award is made, it shall be made to the lowest responsible bidder submitting a responsive bid in
accordance with N.C.G.S. 143-129, subject to approval and appropriation of funds by the City of New Bern
Board of Aldermen and completion of all required statutory and pre-audit requirements. The City reserves
the right to reject any or all bids and to waive informalities only to the extent permitted by law.
For this formal construction procurement, the City will apply the minimum-bid requirements of N.C.G.S.
143-132. If fewer than three competitive bids are received from reputable and qualified contractors after the
first advertisement, the project will be readvertised as required by law. After the second advertisement, the
City may proceed in accordance with N.C.G.S. 143-132.
CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. Contract Documents and Incorporation
For purposes of this RFB and any resulting contract, the "Contract Documents" collectively consist of: written
amendments and change orders executed after award; City-issued addenda; this RFB and its project-
specific requirements; Exhibits A through D, including Exhibit D - City of New Bern Purchase Order Terms
and Conditions; the successful bidder's signed Bid Form and accepted bid submission to the extent
consistent with City-issued documents; required bonds and insurance documentation; the Notice to
Proceed; and the City Purchase Order. Submission of a bid constitutes agreement that Exhibit D is
incorporated into any resulting contract. Vendor-generated terms do not modify the Contract Documents
unless expressly accepted in a written amendment executed by an authorized City official.
2. Order of Precedence
If the Contract Documents conflict, the following order of precedence applies: (1) written amendments and
change orders executed after award; (2) City-issued addenda; (3) this RFB, including these Contract Terms
and Conditions and all project-specific requirements; (4) project drawings and technical specifications,
including Exhibits B and C; (5) Exhibit D - City of New Bern Purchase Order Terms and Conditions; (6) the
successful bidder's signed Bid Form; and (7) the successful bidder's accepted bid submission and
supporting materials. The City Purchase Order controls administrative matters stated on its face, including
purchase order number, accounting or funding information, and invoicing instructions.
3. Payment and Retainage
Payment shall be based on the accepted lump-sum bid and work satisfactorily completed and approved by
the City. The City may withhold retainage to the extent permitted by North Carolina law. Invoicing, payment,
availability-of-funds, and preaudit requirements are governed by Exhibit D unless specifically modified by
this RFB.
4. Work Performance; Inspection and Correction
The Contractor shall perform the work in accordance with the Contract Documents and applicable industry
standards. The City may inspect the work and reject work that does not conform to the Contract Documents.
The Contractor shall promptly correct rejected or deficient work at no additional cost to the City. If the
Contractor fails to timely correct deficient work after notice, the City may perform or procure the corrective
work and deduct the reasonable cost from amounts otherwise due, to the extent permitted by law.
5. Differing Site Conditions
The Contractor shall promptly notify the City in writing, before disturbing the condition, of subsurface or
latent physical conditions that materially differ from those indicated in the Contract Documents or from
conditions ordinarily encountered in work of this character. No adjustment in price or time is authorized
unless approved in writing by the City.
6. Changes and Claims
No change to the scope, contract price, or contract time is effective unless authorized in writing by the City.
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The Contractor shall provide written notice of any claim for additional compensation or extension of time
within seven (7) calendar days after the event giving rise to the claim, unless another period is expressly
stated in the Contract Documents. Work performed without required written authorization is at the
Contractor's risk and may not be compensable.
7. Suspension
The City may direct the Contractor in writing to suspend, delay, or interrupt all or part of the work. Any
request for an adjustment arising from a City-directed suspension must be submitted in accordance with the
claims requirements of the Contract Documents. Cancellation and termination rights are governed by Exhibit
D unless specifically modified by this RFB.
8. Liquidated Damages
If the Contractor fails to complete the work within the Contract Time stated in the Scope of Work and Notice
to Proceed, the Contractor shall pay the City, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, $400 per
calendar day for each calendar day beyond the contract completion date. The parties agree that this amount
is a reasonable estimate of delay-related administrative, coordination, and operational impacts that are
difficult to quantify precisely. Liquidated damages may be deducted from amounts otherwise due to the
Contractor.
9. Assignment and Subcontracting
The Contractor shall not assign the Contract or materially subcontract the work without the City's prior
written approval. Approval of a subcontractor does not relieve the Contractor of responsibility for the work or
compliance with the Contract Documents.
10. Records and Audit
The Contractor shall maintain records supporting performance, invoices, change requests, claims, and
payments for at least three (3) years after final payment, or longer if required by applicable law or funding
requirements, and shall make such records available to the City upon reasonable request.
11. City Purchase Order Terms and Conditions
All other general contractual requirements, including insurance, indemnification, cancellation and
termination, governing law, E-Verify, non-discrimination, public records, invoicing, and payment terms, are
governed by Exhibit D unless a project-specific provision in this RFB expressly provides otherwise.
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BID FORM
Trent River Boring Project | RFB Electric 9608 27-01
The undersigned bidder hereby proposes to furnish all labor, equipment, and materials (except as otherwise
specified) and to perform all work required for the Trent River Boring Project in accordance with the Request
for Bids.
1. LUMP SUM BID
Total Bid Price for Completion of the Work: $
(The Bid Price shall include all labor, equipment, supervision, overhead, profit, and incidentals necessary to
complete the project as described.)
2. BID SECURITY
Bid security in an amount not less than five percent (5%) of the total bid price is included with this bid in a
form permitted by N.C.G.S. 143-129. If a bid bond is used, it shall be executed by a corporate surety
licensed to do business in North Carolina. Failure to include the required bid security at the time of bid
submission shall result in the bid being deemed non-responsive.
3. ADDENDA ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Addenda Received
4. CONTRACT TIME
The Bidder acknowledges that the project is to be completed within 120 days from the date of the Notice to
Proceed.
5. EXCEPTIONS OR DEVIATIONS
Identify any exception or deviation, including a proposed variance to Contract Time, scheduling, scope,
specifications, or other requirements. If none, state "NONE." An exception to a mandatory requirement may
render the bid nonresponsive, and identification does not obligate the City to accept the exception.
Exceptions / Deviations
(if none, state NONE)
6. BIDDER INFORMATION
Company Name
Address
City, State, Zip
Phone
Email
NC General Contractor License No.
License Classification
License Limitation
7. BIDDER CERTIFIES
The bidder certifies that: (1) this bid is made without collusion or fraud; (2) the bidder has examined the RFB
documents and site conditions; and (3) the bidder has the capability and resources to perform the work as
specified.
8. AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE
Authorized Representative (Print Name)
Title
Signature
Date
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EXHIBIT A - NOTICE TO PROCEED
Project: Trent River Boring Project
RFB No.: RFB Electric 9608 27-01
Contractor: __________________________________________
You are hereby notified to commence work on the above-referenced project in accordance with the Contract
Documents.
Date of Notice to Proceed: ______________________________
The Contractor shall complete all work within one hundred twenty (120) calendar days from the date of
this Notice to Proceed, unless modified by a written change order.
Contract Completion Date: ______________________________
Work shall not commence prior to the date of this Notice to Proceed unless authorized in writing by the City.
Issued by: City of New Bern
Authorized Representative
(Print Name)
Title
Signature
Date
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