# Municipal and school pools, bid the way public work is bid

> Public pool work is won on a responsive, responsible bid: the right license, the required bonds, every form complete, and a contractor that can carry the Department of Health and accessibility requirements through to opening.

## What procurement and facilities staff need from a pool contractor

- Registered where you buy: Vendor registration on the portals your agency uses, so the contractor receives solicitations and addenda.
- A bid bond when asked: A bid bond in the form and amount the solicitation requires. A missing bid bond can make a bid non-responsive.
- Payment and performance bonds: Bonds under s. 255.05, F.S., from a surety authorized in Florida, recorded before work begins.
- A complete, responsive bid: Every required form, attendance at mandatory pre-bid meetings and site visits, and questions asked through the procurement officer.
- Accessibility for public programs: Accessible entries under section 242 of the 2010 ADA Standards for new and altered pools at government facilities.
- Code and health department compliance: The Department of Health operating permit path, drain anti-entrapment and the Florida Building Code public pool chapter.

## What a public pool bid has to cover

- Solicitation: Invitation to bid, request for proposals or quote, with all addenda acknowledged
- Pre-bid meeting and site visit: Attended where mandatory
- Bid bond: In the form and amount the solicitation requires
- Payment and performance bond: [Under s. 255.05, F.S., recorded in the county public records](https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/255.05)
- Health department: [Operating permit application before the building permit, and the opening inspection](https://www.playwellpools.com/commercial/florida-public-pool-permits/)
- Drain safety: [Compliant drain covers and any required secondary system](https://www.playwellpools.com/commercial/vgb-drain-safety/)
- Accessible entry: [Pool lift or sloped entry counts under section 242](https://www.playwellpools.com/commercial/ada-pool-access/)
- Contractor license: [Certified Pool/Spa Contractor CPC1457140](https://www.playwellpools.com/about/licenses-and-insurance/) (Current, Active, expires 08/31/2028)

## Rules, paperwork and next steps

- [Florida public pool permits](https://www.playwellpools.com/commercial/florida-public-pool-permits/): DH4159 operating permit path and the resurfacing notice.
- [ADA pool access](https://www.playwellpools.com/commercial/ada-pool-access/): Accessible entries for public accommodations and government pools.
- [VGB drain safety](https://www.playwellpools.com/commercial/vgb-drain-safety/): Federal drain-cover rules and Florida s. 514.0315.
- [Prequalification](https://www.playwellpools.com/commercial/prequalification/): Licenses, insurance, bonding and references in one place.
- [Project record](https://www.playwellpools.com/pool-construction-projects/): Playwell projects by sector, scope and year.
- [Verify our licenses](https://www.playwellpools.com/about/licenses-and-insurance/): Each license, its class and a DBPR lookup.

## Common questions

### When is a payment and performance bond required on public pool work in Florida?

Under s. 255.05, F.S., a contractor on a formal contract to build or repair a public building or public work must post a payment and performance bond from a surety authorized to do business in Florida. State contracts of $100,000 or less are exempt, and a county, city or other public body may exempt contracts of $200,000 or less. The bond is recorded in the public records of the county where the work is, and a certified copy goes to the public entity before work begins. It secures performance of the work and prompt payment to subcontractors and suppliers. General information, not legal advice.

### Is Playwell bonded?

Playwell's bonding details are being added to the prequalification page. Until a surety letter is posted there, confirm bonding with Playwell directly before relying on it for a specific solicitation.

### What do public pools need for ADA accessible entry?

State and local governments are covered by Title II of the ADA. Under section 242.2 of the 2010 ADA Standards, a swimming pool needs at least two accessible means of entry, at least one of them a pool lift or sloped entry; a pool with less than 300 linear feet of wall needs one, and it must be a lift or a sloped entry. Wading pools need a sloped entry and spas need one accessible entry. New and altered pools have had to comply since March 15, 2012. For existing pools, Title II requires program accessibility. General information, not legal advice.

### Does the Department of Health need to see the plans before the building permit?

Yes. Florida law requires the operating permit application to be submitted to the Department of Health before the building permit application for a public pool (s. 514.03, F.S.). Separately, the permit process guide from the Department of Health has the building department issue the certificate of construction completion only after the operating permit.

### How do we send Playwell a solicitation?

Use the request-a-bid form: add the solicitation number in the notes, the bid due date, whether a bond is required, and a link to the bid package. Or call (407) 403-2794.

## Start a project

- [Request a bid](https://www.playwellpools.com/commercial/request-a-bid/)
- [Prequalification packet](https://www.playwellpools.com/commercial/prequalification/)
- [Project brief (residential or commercial)](https://www.playwellpools.com/project-brief/)
- Call (407) 403-2794 or email cindy@playwellpools.com.

## Company facts

- Playwell Pools Inc. (also known as Don & Cindy's Playwell Pools Inc.). Family-owned, 40+ years, since 1985.
- Office: 2200 Forsyth Rd, Suite A1, Orlando, FL 32807.
- Phone: (407) 403-2794 (alternate (407) 860-4748). Email: cindy@playwellpools.com.
- Service area: Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake and Volusia counties, Florida.
- Certified Pool/Spa Contractor: CPC1457140, Current, Active, expires 08/31/2028, licensed since 12/12/2005, licensee Donald Robert Glenn (verified on Florida DBPR 2026-10-21).
- Certified General Contractor: CGC1511541, Current, Active, expires 08/31/2028, licensed since 07/05/2006, licensee Donald Robert Glenn (verified on Florida DBPR 2026-10-21).
- Verify any license by number at the Florida DBPR licensee search: https://www.myfloridalicense.com/wl11.asp?mode=0&SID=
- Pricing: No published prices. Every project is quoted after a site review.
- Officially partnered with A Clean Pool USA. Playwell designs and builds your pool. After handoff, A Clean Pool USA provides routine pool cleaning and water care.

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