Bacteriological Water Testing and Analysis Services

The California Department of Water Resources is soliciting bids for a three-year contract to provide bacteriological water testing and analysis services for the San Luis Field Division. The selected contractor will be responsible for analyzing raw and treated water samples, including Presence/Absence Total and Fecal Coliform tests, Heterotrophic Plate Count microbiological tests, and retests via Multiple Tube Fermentation for E. Coli and Total Coliform. To ensure sample holding times are maintained, the contractor's facility must be located within a 65-mile radius of the San Luis Field Division. Standard tests must be performed within 24 hours of sample collection, while emergency analysis must be initiated within four hours of a request with results delivered within 48 hours. Eligible bidders must hold a valid California Business License and maintain current certification from either the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program or the State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program. The contractor is required to provide all necessary sample collection containers, preservatives, shipping materials, and chain-of-custody forms at no additional cost. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder based on the total bid amount for all years. Payments are subject to a 10 percent retention until satisfactory completion of services, and undisputed invoices are paid within 45 days. Bidders must submit both a hardcopy and an electronic version of their bid on a USB drive by the specified deadline.