[Bidding Related] Regarding the open competitive bidding for the contract for water leak detection services in Reiwa 8 (2026) (Section 1)

[Bidding Related] Regarding the open competitive bidding for the contract for water leak detection services in Reiwa 8 (2026) (Section 1)
[Announcement Details] 1. Subject of Competitive Bidding: (1) Contracted Service Name: Water leak detection services in Reiwa 8 (2026) (Section 1). (2) Purpose and Overview: Based on the water leak detection implementation plan, the objective is to discover and repair underground water leaks early to reduce non-revenue water and improve efficiency, as well as to prevent secondary disasters caused by underground water leaks. It also aims to identify areas with frequent water leaks in each region and accumulate data. Furthermore, it will conduct remote monitoring-type water leak detection at 40 locations. (3) Place of Performance: Central area of Kumamoto City. (4) Period of Performance: From the contract date until March 16, Reiwa 9 (2027). 2. Department in Charge: Postal Code 862-8620, 6-2-45 Suizenji, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto City Water and Sewerage Bureau, Maintenance Department, Water Maintenance Division, Tel: 096-381-5610 (Direct). 3. Type of Bidding Procedure: This case will be handled by confirming the qualifications required for participants in conditional open competitive bidding (hereinafter referred to as "competitive bidding qualifications") before bidding, and then determining the successful bidder based on the results of bids submitted by those recognized as having competitive bidding qualifications.
4. Competitive Bidding Qualifications: All of the following conditions must be met.
(1) The applicant must have submitted the "Application for Qualification Examination for Bidders in Kumamoto City Service Contracts, etc." and be listed in the "List of Qualified Bidders" under Article 5 of the "Guidelines on Qualifications for Bidders in Kumamoto City Service Contracts, etc." (Public Notice No. 731 of 2008), or the "List of Qualified Bidders" under Article 7 of the "Guidelines on Qualifications for Bidders in Kumamoto City Water and Sewerage Bureau Service Contracts, etc.," or the "List of Qualified Contractors" stipulated in Article 10 of the "Regulations for Qualification Examination of Contractors for Public Works Competitive Bidding in Kumamoto City."
(2) The applicant must not fall under any of the provisions of Article 167-4, Paragraph 1 of the Local Autonomy Act Enforcement Order.
(3) If an application for commencement of rehabilitation proceedings under Article 17 of the Corporate Reorganization Act (Act No. 154 of 2002) or an application for commencement of rehabilitation proceedings under Article 21 of the Civil Rehabilitation Act (Act No. 225 of 1999) has been filed, a decision to approve the rehabilitation plan or the rehabilitation plan must have been made, respectively.
(4) The applicant must not fall under the provisions of Article 3, Item 1 of the "Regulations on Exclusion of Violent Groups, etc. from Contracts Concluded by Kumamoto City" (Public Notice No. 105 of 2006) and Article 3, Item 1 of the "Regulations on Exclusion of Violent Groups, etc. from Contracts Concluded by Kumamoto City Water and Sewerage Bureau."
(5) The applicant must not be within a period of suspension of designation based on the "Regulations on Suspension of Designation, etc. for Kumamoto City Procurement Contracts and Service Contracts" (Public Notice No. 199 of 2009), the "Regulations on Suspension of Designation, etc. for Kumamoto City Public Works and Service Contracts" (Public Notice No. 108 of 1995), the "Regulations on Suspension of Designation, etc. for Kumamoto City Water and Sewerage Bureau Public Works and Service Contracts" (Decided by Waterworks Bureau Manager on February 1, 1981), or the "Regulations on Suspension of Designation, etc. for Kumamoto City Water and Sewerage Bureau Procurement Contracts and Service Contracts" (hereinafter referred to as "Designation Suspension Regulations").
(6) The applicant must not be in arrears with consumption tax, local consumption tax, or city taxes.
(7) The applicant must be engaged in the business related to the contract subject to this competitive bidding as a profession.
(8) The applicant must not be deemed unsuitable as a contract party by the Manager of the Kumamoto City Water and Sewerage Business (hereinafter referred to as "Manager") due to violations or dishonest conduct in contracts with the city in the past three years.
(9) The applicant must comply with the "Kumamoto City Public Contract Ordinance" (Ordinance No. 54 of 2025), including submitting a pledge of compliance.
(10) The applicant must not be in arrears with Kumamoto City water charges and Kumamoto City sewerage usage fees.
(11) The applicant must have experience in water leak detection services (limited to long-term water leak detection services for distribution pipes and supply pipes managed by water utilities, where one project exceeds 200 km of distribution pipe) performed in Japan since Reiwa 4 (2016), directly contracted from the client.
(12) The applicant must not be currently performing water leak detection services contracted from the Kumamoto City Water and Sewerage Bureau as of the day before the bid opening date.
(13) If a business cooperative (as defined in Article 3 of the Small and Medium Enterprise Cooperatives Act (Act No. 181 of 1949); hereinafter the same) submits an application for confirmation of competitive bidding qualifications for this case, its members cannot submit an application for confirmation of competitive bidding qualifications as individual entities. If participating as a business cooperative, the member responsible for the services must also meet all requirements of (5) and (8) to (10).
5. Application Procedures, etc.: (1) Application Period and Method for Distribution of Application Forms, Specifications, etc.: From Friday, May 8, Reiwa 8 (2026) to Wednesday, May 20, Reiwa 8 (2026). These will be posted on the Kumamoto City website and the Kumamoto City Water and Sewerage Bureau website. Alternatively, they can be distributed at the department in charge (see 2) upon request (excluding city holidays as defined in Article 1 of the Ordinance on Special Provisions for City Holidays and Deadlines (Ordinance No. 32 of 1989)). Distribution by mail or electronic transmission (fax, email, etc.) will not be provided. Distribution at the department in charge will be from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Downloads are available on the Kumamoto City Water and Sewerage Bureau website during its operating hours. Specifications and other design documents will be available for viewing at the department in charge (see 2) until the bidding date.
(2) Submission Method for Application Forms, etc.: Applicants wishing to participate in this bidding must submit the "Application for Confirmation of Competitive Bidding Qualifications," "Qualification Examination Statement for Bidders," and other necessary documents (hereinafter referred to as "Application Documents, etc.") and undergo confirmation of their competitive bidding qualifications by the Manager. The submission method is as follows:
a. Required Documents and Submission Method: Submit in person or by mail. If submitting by mail, use a method that provides proof of delivery, such as registered mail or certified mail. Submissions by mail without proof of delivery will not be accepted.
(a) Application for Confirmation of Competitive Bidding Qualifications (Form No. 1)
(b) Qualification Examination Statement for Bidders (Form No. 2)
(c) Applicant's Experience in Similar Services (Form No. 3) (Experience in similar services must have been completed by the submission date of the application documents).
(d) Copy of Contract Proving Experience in Similar Services (Required). If this alone is insufficient to determine experience in similar services, supplement with other verifiable documents (e.g., drawings, specifications, or certificates from the client).
(e) Consent Form for Water Charge Arrears Investigation (Form No. 4)
b. Submission Deadline: Wednesday, May 20, Reiwa 8 (2026), 5:00 PM. If submitting by mail, it must arrive by Wednesday, May 20, Reiwa 8 (2026). Lost mail or late delivery due to unforeseen accidents will not be considered.
c. Number of Copies: 1 copy.
d. Submission Address: (a) In person: Department in charge (see 2). (b) By mail: To the Manager of Kumamoto City Water and Sewerage Business (Water Maintenance Division, Maintenance Department, Kumamoto City Water and Sewerage Bureau), 6-2-45 Suizenji, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Postal Code 862-8620. Also, clearly indicate the "Contracted Service Name" and "Application for Confirmation of Competitive Bidding Qualifications Enclosed" on the outer envelope.
e. Precautions: (a) Fill out the forms as of the submission date of the application documents. (b) If the documents in a.(d) are not attached, the experience will not be recognized. Furthermore, if the experience cannot be determined from the documents submitted in a.(d), it will not be recognized. (c) When participating as a business cooperative, also fill in the section for "Names of Members Responsible for Services" in the Qualification Examination Statement for Bidders (Form No. 2). If it is difficult to identify the specific members responsible for services, multiple candidate members may be listed. In such cases, if even one member does not meet the requirements stipulated in 4.(13), competitive bidding qualifications will not be recognized.
(3) Confirmation of Competitive Bidding Qualifications: Confirmation of competitive bidding qualifications will be made as of the submission deadline for application documents. The results (including reasons if qualifications are not recognized) will be notified in writing.
6. Explanation of Reasons for Disqualification: (1) A person who has received a notification of disqualification may request an explanation of the reasons for disqualification in writing (free format) from the Manager within 7 days (excluding holidays) from the day after the notification date.
(2) Upon receiving such a request, the Manager shall provide a written response to the requester within 5 days (excluding holidays) from the day after the last day for requesting an explanation.
7. Bidding Briefing Session: No bidding briefing session will be held.
8. Questions Regarding Specifications, etc.: (1) If there are any questions regarding the specifications, etc., submit a written inquiry as follows:
a. Submission Method: Submit in writing (free format) in person, by fax, or by email. However, if submitting by fax or email, confirm receipt by phone.
b. Submission Period: From Friday, May 8, Reiwa 8 (2026) to Thursday, June 4, Reiwa 8 (2026) (excluding holidays), from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
c. Submission Address: Department in charge (see 2). Fax: 096-381-5612. Email: suidouiji@city.kumamoto.lg.jp.
(2) Answers to the written inquiries in (1) will be made available for viewing as follows. They will also be posted on the Kumamoto City website and the Kumamoto City Water and Sewerage Bureau website.
a. Viewing Period: Starting by Tuesday, June 9, Reiwa 8 (2026), until Friday, June 12, Reiwa 8 (2026).
b. Viewing Location: Department in charge (see 2).
9. Measures When There is Only One Bidder: If there is only one bidder, a new announcement will be made to extend the submission deadline for application documents. In this case, the competitive bidding qualifications or performance period for the project may be changed as necessary.
10. Bidding and Opening of Bids, etc.: (1) Bidders confirmed to have competitive bidding qualifications through the notification in 5.(3) shall participate in the bidding according to the following method. Submission in person or by mail is required. Submission by electronic transmission (fax, email, etc.) will not be accepted. If a proxy bidder submits in person, a power of attorney must be submitted separately. Lost mail or late delivery due to unforeseen accidents will not be considered.
(b) Submission Method: Place the bid form in an envelope, seal it, and write the "Contracted Service Name," "Bid Form Enclosed," and "Bidder's Name" on it. Use a double envelope; seal the outer envelope and write the "Contracted Service Name," "Bid Form Enclosed," "Bidder's Name," and "Personal" on it. If re-bidding is anticipated, place the re-bid form and the second re-bid form (only if a third bid is anticipated) in separate inner envelopes, seal them, write the "Contracted Service Name" and "Bidder's Name" clearly, and enclose them with "Re-bid Form Enclosed" (or "Second Re-bid Form Enclosed").
(c) Submission Address: To the Manager of Kumamoto City Water and Sewerage Business (Water Maintenance Division, Maintenance Department, Kumamoto City Water and Sewerage Bureau), 6-2-45 Suizenji, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Postal Code 862-8620.
(2) For the purpose of determining the successful bid, the bid price will be the amount indicated in the bid form plus 10% of that amount (if there is a fraction of less than one yen, it will be rounded down). Therefore, bidders must write the amount equivalent to 100/110 of their estimated contract amount on their bid, regardless of whether they are taxable or tax-exempt businesses for consumption tax and local consumption tax.
(3) The number of bidding rounds will be up to three (the second and subsequent rounds will be conducted consecutively). If a bidder fails to submit a re-bid form, they will be deemed to have withdrawn from the re-bid (the same applies to the third bid).
(4) Once a bid form is submitted, it cannot be exchanged or canceled, regardless of whether it is before or after the opening of bids.
(5) If a single bidder is found to have submitted multiple bids, all bids will be invalidated after opening and confirmation.
(6) In accordance with Article 7 of the "Kumamoto City Public Works Competitive Bidding Rules" (Public Notice No. 107 of 1990), bids submitted with false information in the application documents will be invalidated, and if the successful bidder is found to have submitted an invalid bid, the award decision will be canceled. Furthermore, even if a bidder is confirmed to have competitive bidding qualifications, if they no longer meet the competitive bidding qualifications stipulated in 4 at the time of the award decision, they will be deemed to not have competitive bidding qualifications.
(7) Invalid bid forms will not be returned.
(8) Bid forms will be opened immediately after the bidding at 9:45 AM on Friday, June 12, Reiwa 8 (2026). In this case, if the bidder is not present at the opening of bids, an official not involved in the bidding procedures will be present.
11. Method of Determining the Successful Bidder: (1) The bidder who submits the lowest valid bid within the limit of the estimated price will be the successful bidder.
(2) If there are two or more bidders with the same lowest bid price, the successful bidder will be determined by lottery.
(3) A minimum reserve price will not be set.
12. Contract Method: This project can be concluded through electronic contracting. If electronic contracting is used, the email address used for requesting confirmation of contract conclusion will be the email address registered when applying for the list of qualified bidders mentioned in 4.(1). Other matters shall be in accordance with the "Kumamoto City Water and Sewerage Bureau Electronic Contracting Implementation Guidelines" (effective March 27, Reiwa 8 (2026)).
13. Other Precautions: (1) The language and currency used in the procedures shall be Japanese and Japanese currency only. (2) Bid Bond: Kumamoto City Water and Sewerage Bureau Contract Management Regulations (Reiwa 8 (2026) Bureau Regulations No. 8)...