11-2026-29 ITB Lower Wharf Improvement Project - 1085 Harbor Road.pdf

2026-29 Lower Wharf Improvement Project – 1085 Harbor Road

TOWN OF FAIRFIELD

INVITATION TO BID

The Town of Fairfield (Town) on behalf of its Engineering Department (ENG) is seeking competitive bids from qualified Contractors to provide all labor, material, equipment, and all else necessary for the repair and replacement of stone retaining walls and complete replacement of the lower wharf fishing piers at 1085 Harbor Road, Southport Historic District, Fairfield, CT.

1. PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Lower Wharf property at the entrance to Southport Harbor in the Southport Historic District, is a landmark passed by sailors leaving the harbor for ports near and far for more than 250 years. It was acquired by the Town in 1999. The Town has received funding from the State Urban Act Grant to repair the significant damages to the Lower Wharf's piers cause by powerful storms in December 2022. The proposal includes repair and replacement of stone retaining walls and complete replacement of the fishing pier.

2. PROJECT COST ESTIMATE AND FUNDING SOURCE

The cost estimate for this project is $750,000. The Town will be utilizing a State Urban Act grant to fund portions of this project.

3. PROJECT SCHEDULE

The awarded Contractor shall have site access upon notice to proceed which is anticipated to be in late January/early February. The project shall be substantially completed within 120 days from commencement of work. Contractors shall submit proposed project schedule as part of their bid proposal.

Bid Posted: Monday, December 15th

Site Visit: Friday, December 19th at 9:00am

RFI Deadline: Tuesday, December 23rd by 4:30pm

Bid Due Date: Friday, January 2nd at 11:00am. Bids shall be unsealed in the 1st Floor Conference Room at 725 Old

Post Road, Fairfield, CT

4. PRE-BID MEETING

A site meeting will commence at 1085 Harbor Road, Fairfield, CT 06824 at 9:00am Friday 19th December 2025 for all prospective bidders who are interested in participating in this solicitation.

Prospective bidders are strongly encouraged to inspect relevant facilities prior to submitting a bid.

No special arrangements or private tours shall be accommodated outside of the scheduled meeting.

While the meeting is non-mandatory, prospective bidders will be required to sign-in at commencement of the meeting. The sign-in sheet will be posted as a Public Notice through the Town’s e-Procurement Portal.

5. SELECTING THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR

Lowest Responsible and Qualified Bidder: As used in this section, “lowest responsible and qualified bidder” means the bidder whose bid is the lowest of those bidders possessing the skill, ability and integrity necessary to faithfully perform the work. Should the grantee reject the lowest bidder as not responsible and/or not qualified, the grantee shall immediately notify DECD of the reasons for the rejection and request DECD concurrence. The Commissioner of DECD shall at his/her discretion either approve or deny the grantee’s rejection. The grantee agrees to hold DECD harmless from any and all claims by rejected bidders.

6. BID BOND

The BID BOND furnished, as bid security, must be duly executed by the bidder as principal. It must be in the amount equal to five percent (5%) of the total estimated bid, as guarantee that, in case the contract is awarded to the bidder, the bidder will, within ten days thereafter, execute such contract and furnish a Performance Bond and Payment Bond.

Small businesses may elect to obtain an irrevocable letter of credit or cashier’s check in lieu of the Bid Bond. Such surety must also be in an amount equal to at least five percent (5%) of the total estimated bid.

All bid bonds shall be written by a surety company or companies licensed in the State of Connecticut, and shall have at least an A-VII policy holders rating, as reported by A.M. Best Rating Services, or otherwise deemed acceptable by the Town.

The Town always reserves the right to reject surety companies, if an approved surety bond cannot be provided, the bidder shall be deemed non-responsive.

A complete list of certified surety companies can be accessed on the U.S. Government Department of Treasury website:

https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/fsreports/ref/suretyBnd/c570_a-z.htm

NOTE: Failure to provide a Bid Bond or equivalent security is not cause for a waiver defect. Any bid not accompanied by such security will be excluded from consideration.

7. PERFORMANCE AND LABOR AND MATERIAL BOND

The successful bidder, within seven (7) business days after notification of award, will be required to furnish Performance and Labor and Material Bond provided by a company authorized to issue such bonds in the State of Connecticut, or Certified Check or properly executed Irrevocable Letter of Credit equal to a hundred per cent (100%) of the award.

In the event that the Contractor where required to provide evidence of insurance and a performance bond does not do so before beginning work, the Town of Fairfield reserves the right to withhold payment from such supplier until the evidence of insurance and performance bond has been received by the Town.

All payment and performance bonds shall be written by a surety company or companies licensed to issue bonds in the State of Connecticut, and shall have at least an A-VIII policy holders rating, as reported by A.M. Best Rating Services, or otherwise deemed acceptable by the Town. The Town always reserves the right to reject surety companies, if approved surety bonds cannot be provided the contract shall be terminated.

A complete list of certified surety companies can be accessed on the U.S. Government Department of Treasury website:

https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/fsreports/ref/suretyBnd/c570_a-z.htm

8. DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES (DAS) PRE-QUALIFICATION

Municipal contracts for the construction or renovation of a public works project, where the estimated value is $1,000,000 or greater, will need to comply with C.G.S. Sec. 4b-91. In accordance with Connecticut General Statutes Section, the Contractor shall hold a current “DAS Contractor Prequalification Certificate” (Minimum Contractor Classifications - one of the following – “Carpentry/Millwork”, “Concrete”, “Masonry”, or “Sitework”), (not a predetermination letter) from the Department of Administrative Services of the State of Connecticut according to C.G.S.§4b-91. Bidders are advised that both the DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES PREQUALIFICATION CERTIFICATE and UPDATE (BID) STATEMENT must accompany the bid proposal for bids of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) or more (C.G.S. 4b-91), or must be in-place at the time of contract signing. Failure to supply these documents with the bid will result in rejection of the bid. Further information may be obtained from the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) Contractor Prequalification Program: DAS Pre-Qualification. Contractors shall submit general qualifications of sub-contractors for the Town of Fairfield’s review and approval.

9. COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS & OPPORTUNITIES (CHRO)

The contractor who is selected to perform this State project must comply with CONN. GEN. STAT. §§ 4a-60, 4a-60g, and 46a-68b through 46a-68f.

State law requires a minimum spending allocation goal of twenty-five (25%) percent of the state-funded portion of the contract for award to subcontractors holding current certification from the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (“DAS”) under the provisions of CONN. GEN. STAT. § 4a-60g. (25% of the total state-funded value with DAS-certified Small Businesses and 6.25% of the total state-funded value with DAS-certified Minority-, Women-, and/or Disabled-owned Businesses.) The contractor must demonstrate good faith effort to meet the spending allocation goals.

For municipal public works contracts and quasi-public agency projects, the contractor must file a written or electronic non-discrimination certification with the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. Forms can be found at:

http://www.ct.gov/opm/cwp/view.asp?a=2982&q=390928&opmNav_GID=1806

10. PREVAILING WAGE REQUIREMENTS

This is a prevailing wage rates project and is subject to all CTDOL requirements. Certified Payroll will be required for all work completed. Please refer to the Prevailing Wage Requirements packet provided in the e-Procurement Portal.

11. DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (DECD) - ADDITIONAL

INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

A. Contractors shall review the sample Certificate of Insurance (COI) and Insurance Requirements provided in the portal for this project. In addition, the State of Connecticut shall be listed as additionally insured under the following coverages:

1. Commercial General Liability - $1M per occurrence

2. General Aggregate - $2M

3. Umbrella Liability - $5M per occurrence

B. The “Hold Harmless” Indemnification endorsement of the insurance shall include the interest of the municipality and the State of Connecticut. The Contractor and Subcontractors and other interests shall be so named.

C. Please also refer to the COI Template and Insurance Requirements document provided in the e-Procurement Portal.

12. LIQUIDATED DAMAGES

A. For Major Construction/Renovation Projects, the DECD Grantee shall provide an anticipated construction duration period (# of days) within the project manual that will be used in the bid package.

B. As a prerequisite to executing a construction contract with the “Lowest Responsible and Qualified Bidder”, the Contractor shall agree on the substantial completion date in accordance with the plans, project manual, and other contract documents, taking into consideration average weather conditions, availability of labor delivery of materials and equipment.

C. If the Contractor neglects, fails or refuses to achieve substantial completion of work by the substantial completion date in the executed construction contract, and such delay is not otherwise excused under this contract, then the Contractor shall agree to pay the Owner a liquidated damage for breach of contract for each and every calendar day that the Contractor shall be in default of the project work.

D. Damages due to Contractor’s delay are difficult to determine and accurately specify so the Owner shall determine the most accurate amount of liquated damages for the project subject to DECD concurrence prior to bidding.

13. ENCLOSURES

The following documents are available for view within the Town’s e-Procurement Portal:

Bid Proposal Form

Drawings – prepared by RACE Coastal Engineering

Prevailing Wage Rates (to be provided in a forthcoming Addendum document)

Department of Economic and Community Development Project Sign Template

Certificate of Insurance Template and Insurance Requirements

Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) Contract Compliance Regulations Notification to

Bidders.

An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Minority/Women’s Business Enterprises are encouraged to apply. This contract is subject to state set-aside and contract compliance requirements.