Caroline Bridgewater

Caroline Bridgewater serves as a Project Engineer with the City of Lawrence’s MSO - CMED, where she plays a central role in the planning, evaluation, and execution of public infrastructure procurement initiatives. Responsible for technical oversight of civil construction projects, she ensures that all acquisitions align with engineering standards for water, sewer, and stormwater systems. Her position bridges engineering design and contract administration, making her a key decision-maker in the selection of contractors for capital improvement projects. She primarily handles design-build and construction management at-risk contracts for municipal utility infrastructure, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations while prioritizing long-term system resilience and public safety. Caroline collaborates closely with civil engineering firms, utility contractors, and specialized construction vendors experienced in trenchless technologies, pipe rehabilitation, and hydraulic infrastructure installation. While no single contractor dominates her portfolio, she consistently engages with firms demonstrating proven expertise in underground utility construction and compliance with KDOT and EPA standards. Her working relationships are characterized by a focus on technical competency, performance history, and adherence to project specifications rather than preferential vendor relationships, fostering a competitive and transparent procurement environment. Caroline’s procurement patterns reflect a strong preference for open competition, with 100% of her acquisitions classified as “No Set-Aside.” She does not prioritize 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB set-asides, instead emphasizing technical qualifications and value-driven outcomes. Her approach supports a level playing field for all qualified bidders, with socioeconomic preferences not factored into award decisions, aligning with the agency’s mandate to maximize infrastructure integrity over socioeconomic targeting. Her primary procurement focus is on NAICS 237110 — Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction — encompassing pipeline replacement, stormwater retention systems, sanitary sewer upgrades, and related civil works. She possesses deep expertise in trenchless rehabilitation methods, gravity flow systems, and stormwater management infrastructure, ensuring that all procurements meet the technical demands of aging urban utility networks.