SOUTH-NORTH INTERTIE PIPELINE (SNIP) PHASE II PIPELINE AND PUMP STATION PROJECT

The Antelope Valley-East Kern Water Agency (AVEK) is soliciting bids for the South-North Intertie Pipeline (SNIP) Phase II Pipeline and Pump Station Project, with a contract value of $48 million and a bid submission deadline of August 22, 2026. The project encompasses the installation of 6.6 miles of 48-inch cement mortar lined and coated steel pipe, three vertical turbine pumps, valve vaults, and significant upgrades to an existing pump station across Palmdale, Lancaster, and Los Angeles County. Work requires meticulous coordination with local utilities including Southern California Edison, adherence to precise pavement restoration standards per regional codes, and comprehensive non-destructive testing of all field welds. The primary place of performance is in Palmdale, California, with additional work extending into adjacent jurisdictions. Although the solicitation references construction specifications, environmental protections, and seismic compliance, it does not include standard FAR contract clauses, formal Section K representations, or structured CLIN-based pricing. Instead, requirements are conveyed through project-specific addenda, technical drawings, and referenced industry standards such as ASTM and Section 11215 for pump performance. Special contractual conditions include a $2,500 per calendar day liquidated damages clause for delays, mandatory provision of a Class B field office and sanitary facilities for agency personnel, and explicit exemption from Build America Buy America and American Iron and Steel requirements. Environmental compliance is managed through a shared responsibility model: AVEK will conduct pre-construction biological surveys and provide a project biologist, while the contractor must coordinate with the Fernandeno Tataviam Band of Mission Indians and avoid tree removal during migratory bird nesting periods. Acceptance of work occurs on-site under AVEK’s authority, with hydrostatic testing, weld inspection, and restoration quality verification as key acceptance criteria. The primary point of contact for the agency is Benjamin Melendez, while Kennedy Jenks engineers oversee technical reviews and payment recommendations. No formal packaging, marking, or military logistics standards apply; instead, material identification relies on commercial designations such as Type 304/316 stainless steel and specific catalog model numbers. There is no designated payment office, accounting codes, or invoicing system specified, and the solicitation does not include evaluation factors, award criteria, or socioeconomic set-asides. All requirements are tied to project-specific deliverables rather than standardized federal procurement structures, reflecting a state and local agency procurement process focused on construction execution and site-specific compliance.