Purchasing and Contracts

Depending upon the type of procurement, Valley Water may require bidders to submit proof of required insurance coverage prior to contract award. The specific insurance requirements will be included in the solicitation documents. Questions about insurance requirements should be addressed with the Risk Manager at 408-265-2607 ext. 2213.

Valley Water is committed to minimizing risk to the public, contractors, and Valley Water employees by contracting only with businesses whose safety programs meet Valley Water standards. Vendors who bid on work that involves certain high risk activities will be required to complete and submit a Contractor Safety Qualification Packet. Work activities that trigger this requirement include construction, maintenance, and other activities with associated life safety critical tasks or operations, such as assembly and use of scaffolding, lockout/tagout, confined space entry, working at elevated locations, live electrical work, excavation or trenching, tunneling, hot work, or any other activity that requires specialized training to prevent serious injury or a catastrophic event. The Contractor Safety Qualification Packet will be included in the solicitation documents for each project as required. Questions about safety requirements should be addressed with the district’s Environmental Health and Safety Manager at 408-630-2812.

Prevailing Wage

The State of California Department of Industrial Relations has determined prevailing wages for certain categories of workers. Some Valley Water solicitations may include the requirement to pay prevailing wages. Questions about prevailing wages in the State of California should be addressed to the Division of Labor Statistics and Research, Prevailing Wage Unit, PO Box 420603, San Francisco, CA 94142. (415) 703-4774.

Living Wage

It is the policy of Valley Water that persons doing work on, for or on behalf of Valley Water should be paid at least a living wage and reasonable time off. Visit the Living Wage Policy page for more information:

https://www.valleywater.org/livingwage

Basis of protest

Protests shall be based only on the protestor’s belief that one or more of the following situations occurred:

1. Valley Water failed to follow the procedures and adhere to requirements set forth in the solicitation or any addendum thereto
2. The solicitation contained restrictive specifications
3. There was misconduct or impropriety by water district officials or evaluation committee members
4. There was abuse of process or abuse of discretion by water district officials or evaluation committee members

Filing a protest

Protests must be sent in writing, by certified and registered mail, or personally delivered to:

Santa Clara Valley Water District

Attn: Purchasing and Contracts Manager

RE: Protest of Award (list RFP# and Project Name)

5750 Almaden Expressway

San Jose, CA 95118

A protest alleging restrictive specifications or improprieties in the solicitation documents or process must be received at least three (3) business days prior to the proposal due date and time.

All other protests occurring after award of the contract must be submitted within three (3) business days after Valley Water’s issuance of the Consultants Not Selected email. Protests that are not timely received will be dismissed, and the proposer waives all further rights to have Valley Water consider or reconsider Valley Water’s decision to award the contract.

Content of protest

The written protest must contain the following information:

1. The name, street address, email address, telephone and facsimile number of the firm or individual submitting the protest (protestor)
2. Signature of the protestor or its representative
3. A clear statement of the basis for the bid protest
4. Copies of any relevant documents
5. The form of the relief requested.

Protest resolution

Valley Water will provide a response within ten (10) business days of receiving the protest. Valley Water, after the ten (10) business day appeal waiting period, may elect to withhold a pending contract award until the protest is resolved or proceed with the award and implementation of the contract. Valley Water’s Deputy Administrative Officer will issue the Final Determination to the protestor.

The District's Small Business Enterprise Policy is currently being updated. No consideration nor preference points will be given in solicitations issued by Valley Water.

Valley Water offers a 5% preference on bids for goods and qualifying consultant services to local businesses.  A local business has a principal business office operating legally within Santa Clara County, or a regional, branch or satellite office with at least one full-time employee located in Santa Clara County.