Title
The Board of Water Commissioners for the City of Detroit, Water and Sewerage Department authorizes the Director to approve DWSD Contract 6007642 (WS-753), with Inner City Contracting, LLC, for Water System Improvements, along Michigan Avenue and Fort Street, for a total contract amount not-to-exceed $3,883,738.60 and a term of eight (8) months. This also authorizes the Director to take such other action as may be necessary to accomplish the intent of this vote.
Body
Agenda of January 21, 2026
Item No. 2026-6
Contract No.: 6007642
Contractor: Inner City Contracting, LLC
Address: 18751 Grand River Avenue, Detroit, MI 48223
Contract Amount: $3,883,738.60
Tentative Contract Term: 4/1/26 - 11/11/26 (8 months)
TO: The Honorable
Board of Water Commissioners
City of Detroit, Michigan
FROM: Gary Brown, Director
Water and Sewerage Department
RE: Proposed DWSD Contract No. 6007642
Water System Improvements in Michigan Avenue and Fort Street
Inner City Contracting, LLC
MOTION
Upon recommendation of Marqaicha Welch, Procurement Manager, the Board of Water Commissioners for the City of Detroit, Water and Sewerage Department authorizes the Director to approve DWSD Contract 6007642 (WS-753), with Inner City Contracting, LLC, for Water System Improvements, along Michigan Avenue and Fort Street, for a total contract amount not-to-exceed $3,883,738.60 and a term of eight (8) months. This also authorizes the Director to take such other action as may be necessary to accomplish the intent of this vote.
BACKGROUND / JUSTIFICATION
The project is intended to address aging water infrastructure, improve system reliability, and reduce the likelihood of future water main breaks and service disruptions. All work will be performed in accordance with DWSD standards and specifications to ensure system integrity, public safety, and long-term operational performance.
This project supports DWSD’s ongoing capital improvement program aimed at maintaining and upgrading the City’s water distribution system while coordinating with existing utilities, traffic control requirements, and restoration obligations within the project area.
The tentative contract term is April 1, 2026, through November 11, 2026, representing an anticipated eight (8) month construction duration, subject to weather conditions, coordination with other agencies, and field constraints.
The project will be funded using Capital Improvement Program (CIP) funds.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The Project includes the following Work:
Replacement of existing water mains of eight and twelve-inch diameter at specific locations along Michigan Avenue and Fort Street west of Downtown Detroit. DWSD and the contractor will work cooperatively with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to replace water mains in areas of pavement replacement and rehabilitation scheduled for the year 2026. The work consists of replacing approximately 4,982 linear feet of existing water main of various sizes, including Gate Valves, Fire Hydrants, and approximately thirty (30) water existing services, and all appurtenances required to complete the work. The Contractor shall exercise and operate line valves up to and including sixteen inches in size under DWSD direct supervision.
The work also consists of Lead Service Line Replacement, both in the ROW and from curb box to the property water meter and will include the coordination between the Contractor and the DWSD Lead Service Line Team. Bidder to coordinate with Lead Service Line Team for interaction and communication with residents, delivery of notices, pitchers and filters to residents, and all other requirements as found in the specifications for Lead Service Line Replacement.
PROCUREMENT METHOD
This procurement was competitively solicited through a Request for Bids (RFB) per Requisition 540862,
which was fully approved on 10/23/2025. The RFB was advertised on the Michigan Inter-Governmental
Trade Network (MITN) BidNet website for 28 calendar days (10/23/25 - 11/20/25). MITN published this
opportunity to 647 companies and 157 firms downloaded the bid package. In addition to posting on MITN,
Procurement sent email notices to approximately 144 firms. Additional vendor outreach was performed by DWSD staff in an attempt to connect with firms that have not done business with DWSD in the past to expand the DWSD vendor pool. Six bids were received:
|
Bidder |
Total Bid Price |
Equal. Applied |
Equal. Credit |
Equal. Bid Total |
|
Inner City Contracting, LLC |
$3,883,738.60 |
N/A |
N/A |
$3,883,738.60 |
|
L. D'Agostini and Sons, Inc. |
$4,472,984.00 |
N/A |
N/A |
$4,472,984.00 |
|
LGC Global |
$4,970,063.00 |
DHB |
$49,700.63 |
$4,920,362.37 |
|
Major Contracting Group |
$4,986,000.00 |
DHB |
$49,860.00 |
$4,936,140.00 |
|
DMC Consultants, Inc. |
$5,998,434.26 |
DHB |
$179,953.03 |
$5,818,481.23 |
|
Anglin Civil, LLC |
$6,952,674.46 |
N/A |
N/A |
$6,952,674.46 |
The Engineer’s Estimate for this work is $4,700,000.00.
The evaluation of the bids was based on the lowest bid price. As the apparent equalized low bidder, Inner City Contracting, LLC, was evaluated and determined to be responsive. The bid tab and responsiveness evaluation, and Inner City Contracting, LLC was forwarded to the Engineering Division. Therefore, it is recommended Inner City Contracting, LLC be awarded the contract resulting from RFB 540862 in the amount of $3,883,738.60.
Inner City Contracting, LLC’s clearances expire on 1/10/26. A formal contract document will be sent to the vendor for signature; it is anticipated to be signed prior to the board meeting.
SUMMARY
A. Contract No.: 6007642
B. Contractor: Inner City Contracting, LLC
C. Tentative Contract Term: 4/1/26 - 11/11/26 (8 months)
D. Contract Amount: $3,883,738.60
E. Anticipated FY Breakdown: FY 26 - 27: $3,883,738.60
F. Funding Source: CIP Bond Funds
G. GL String: 5740-20334-487801-617900-900450-30129-0000-000000 - 100% Water
This proposed contract was presented to the BOWC Finance Committee on January 13, 2026. Per DWSD procurement protocol, Mayoral Review will also be obtained.