Utilities procurement in North Carolina

North Carolina government utilities procurement is dominated by two categories: municipal water and wastewater services (Charlotte Water, Greensboro Water Resources, Raleigh Water, Fayetteville Public Works Commission) and university/state agency utility infrastructure work. The Raleigh-Wake water system serves 600K+ residents and runs $200M+ in annual capital and services procurement. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities issues multi-year prime contracts for water treatment chemicals, meter reading services, backflow prevention testing, and hydrant maintenance — each averaging $1M–$10M per contract.

Utility construction (water main replacement, lift station rehabilitation, wastewater treatment plant expansion) is regulated under NC Public Contract Law which requires separate primes over $500K for general, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical work — similar to NY's Wicks Law. Federal funding through the EPA Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds carries Buy America and Davis-Bacon requirements that layer on top of NC state rules. Vendors need NC Contractor's License (Utility Contractor classification) plus applicable EPA and NC DEQ certifications for regulated work.

Electric-utility procurement in NC is atypical because Duke Energy is investor-owned rather than public — but public power authorities in New Bern, Cornelius, Concord, and 30+ other municipal power systems do issue RFPs for meter equipment, substation work, and pole maintenance. ElectriCities of NC coordinates joint procurement across many of these municipal systems, which lets small municipalities piggyback on larger contracts.

Set-aside note: NC HUB participation goals (typically 10-15%) apply to state-funded utility work. On federally-funded SRF projects, EPA DBE participation goals (usually 6-10%) apply instead — DBE certification is separate from HUB and issued through the NC DOT DBE program.

Common questions — Utilities in North Carolina

What contractor license do I need for North Carolina utility work?

NC requires a Utility Contractor classification license (issued by the NC Licensing Board for General Contractors) for water, sewer, gas distribution, and pipeline work over $30K. Sub-classifications exist for Water/Sewer, Gas Distribution, and Pipe Fusion. Electric-utility work requires a separate NC Electrical Contractor license. Environmental engineering work triggers additional NC PE licensure requirements.

Are federally-funded NC water/sewer projects subject to different rules?

Yes. Projects funded through EPA State Revolving Funds (Clean Water SRF, Drinking Water SRF) or FEMA hazard-mitigation grants must comply with Buy America Build America (BABA) domestic-content requirements, Davis-Bacon prevailing wages, and federal DBE subcontracting goals typically 6-10%. These rules layer on top of NC state HUB goals — vendors need to document compliance with both frameworks.

How does ElectriCities of NC affect utility procurement?

ElectriCities is a joint-action agency serving 32 municipal electric systems in NC (plus systems in SC and VA). It coordinates joint procurement of pole hardware, transformers, meters, and specialty services across member cities. Winning an ElectriCities contract can produce multi-year revenue across all member systems without individual city-by-city RFPs. Vendors register directly with ElectriCities in Raleigh.

Open Utilities bids in North Carolina

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Doc1956121913

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management (NCEM) is soliciting proposals to acquire services of a qualified Vendor(s) to provide Emergency Bulk Water Services th...

Other

298-FY26-BID-NFDamTSHeleneRepairs-Fusegate

North Fork Dam Repair

Other

298-FY26-WRD-BID-TankInspections

Tank Inspections

IFB

377-IFB 2026-082

Union County, North Carolina, through Union County Water, is seeking bids from qualified vendors to furnish and deliver Magnesium Hydroxide Slurry at a concentration of 60% ± 2% for five (5) Water Rec...

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460-26-011

Sealed Bids will be received by the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (hereinafter referred to as OWASA), to provide water pipe materials as specified in this Request for Bids (hereinafter referred to ...

Other

320-320-090326FD

The purpose of this Request for Quotation (RFQ) is to obtain pricing from qualified vendors for the purchase of replacement pump parts and components for the City of Rocky Mount Wastewater Treatment P...

Other

274-WS-2023-52

Biltmore Area Water Main Replacement and Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation: Installation of approximately 9,785 LF of 6-inch DIP water main;  Installation of approximately 1,655 LF of 8-inch DIP water ma...

Other

320-320-050326FD

The purpose of this Request for Quotation (RFQ) is to obtain pricing from qualified vendors for the purchase of electrical wire to support the operational needs of the City’s Energy Department. The wi...

Other

354-UT26-16

Cary is requesting sealed bids for the furnishing of materials labor, and equipment for the construction of Campbell Road Water Main Connector. Town of Cary project No WT1325. Bids are due Tuesday Mar...

Other

367-OC5473

Orange County Solar Installation at Cedar Grove Community Center, located at 5800 NC 86 North, Cedar Grove, NC. The project includes the design, purchase, and installation of photovoltaic systems, inc...

Other

345-03-05-2026

Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) requests Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) from consulting engineering firms for the design and contract administration services for a project to replace ex...

Other

367-OC5478

Orange County Solar Installation at the Southern Human Services Center, located at 2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27516. The project includes the design, purchase, and installation of photovolt...

Other

314-FB 2026-002

The City of Goldsboro Public Utilities Department Water Treatment Plant, located at 1201 Jordan Blvd, Goldsboro, NC 27530. b. The project consists of repairing window and door lintels, concrete encase...

Other

440-26-0227

The Town of Holly Springs is seeking a Statement of Qualifications from Engineering firms licensed in North Carolina for preliminary design and routing; final design and permitting; and construction a...

Other

274-5230-604-2026-THP

To plan and execute the annual THP maintenance shutdown for the Cambi B6‑4 Thermal Hydrolysis Process (THP) at the Neuse River Resource Recovery Facility (NRRRF). The selected firm will provide OEM‑qu...

Other

274-RW-WTP-FY26-2-LOX-FMH

EM Johnson WTP Liquid Oxygen and Equipment Lease: The City of Raleigh wishes to contract for the purchase of Liquid Oxygen (LOX) as stated in the specifications below for a period of Five (5) years. L...

Other

SCO-DOT=Whittier Office Complex - Water+Sewer Upgrade (4-2026)

Whittier Office Complex - Water and Sewer Upgrades

Other

345-27-C0130

Cape Fear Public Utility Authority is accepting bids for the Northside WWTP Blower Replacement project. Scope of work includes replacing four existing blowers with four high speed turbo blowers with a...

Other

354-RFB-27-01

The Town of Cary is seeking bids from qualified suppliers for the purchase of Caustic Soda for the Cary/Apex Water Treatment Facility. Questions are due July 22, 2026 by 5:00 PM. Final bids are due Au...

Other

69-LK260702

The University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG) Facilities Operations Utilities department is seeking a Vendor to provide a comprehensive water treatment program for all Cooling Towers on campus. C...

Other

460-275-01-C

Sealed Bids will be received by the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (hereinafter referred to as OWASA), to provide water pipe materials as specified in this Request for Bids (hereinafter referred to ...

Other

274-5220-2026-FMH

The City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department, Dempsey E. Benton Water Treatment Plant plans to replace Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) media in 4 sets of filters. GAC filters 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B...

Other

345-26-C0513-5

Cape Fear Public Utility Authority is accepting bids for the Sweeney WTP 4MG Clearwell Rehabilitation project. Scope of work includes replacement of the expansion joint caulking inside the confined sp...

Other

345-26-C1204

Cape Fear Public Utility Authority is accepting bids for the Find-It Fix-It Water Valve Replacement project. Scope of work includes replacement of broken valves identified or as a result of the water ...

Other

274-EMJ-OZGEN

E.M. Johnson Water Treatment Plant Ozone Upgrades: The Project consists generally of the following major items: • Replacement of one existing Ozone Generator and Power Supply Unit (PSU) • Modification...

Other

281-FB26251

This project is at the Forsyth County DSS Power Plant. It includes the replacement of six 2MBH with two 3MBH boilers, the replacement of the cooling tower serving the Carrier chiller, and the replacem...

Other

345-26-C0513-3

Cape Fear Public Utility Authority is accepting bids for the Sweeney WTP 4MG Clearwell Rehabilitation project. Scope of work includes replacement of the expansion joint caulking inside the confined sp...

Other

Doc2208513876

IFB 34-26045 - Purified Bottled Water for Residents

Other

281-FB26230

The Scope of Work to be performed under these Contract Documents is generally described as follows: • Installation of approximately 60 LF of 4-inch waterline, 650 LF of 6-inch waterline. and 5,640 LF ...

Other

SCO-25-30311-01A

Lake Norman State Park – Wastewater Improvements

Frequently Asked Questions

How many utilities procurement bids are available in North Carolina?

There are currently 53 open utilities procurement opportunities in North Carolina. These include RFPs, RFQs, ITBs, and other solicitation types from government agencies, universities, hospitals, and other public organizations.

Which North Carolina agencies post the most utilities bids?

The top agencies posting utilities bids in North Carolina include North Carolina Electronic Vendor Portal, Federal Government (SAM.gov). Each of these issues multiple solicitations per month and is tracked continuously by ProcureTap.

How do I bid on utilities contracts in North Carolina?

Browse the utilities opportunities listed above, click on a bid title to view the full solicitation on the issuing organization's website, then follow their submission instructions. Most government agencies and institutions require vendor registration before submitting a response.

How often are new utilities bids posted?

New utilities procurement opportunities are posted daily by government agencies, universities, hospitals, and other organizations across North Carolina. Our system checks for new bids every 6 hours to ensure you see the latest opportunities.