Former Seneca Middle School - Exterior Masonry Repointing and Painting.pdf

REQUEST FOR BIDS

RFB-2026-03-COS

PROJECT NAME: Former Seneca Middle School – Exterior Masonry Repointing and Painting

DESCRIPTION:

Seeking competitive sealed bids from qualified contractors to clean, repoint, prime, and paint the exterior brick masonry of two structures located on the former middle school property, including sealant replacement and related work.

DATE ISSUED: August 24, 2026

CONTACT:

Ryan Thomas, Assistant City Administrator │ 864.888.0881 │ rthomas@seneca.sc.us

MANDATORY PRE-BID

MEETING:

Thursday, September 3, 2026 at 10:00 AM EST

Location: Tim Howard Gym, 810 W South 4th St, Seneca, SC 29678

Attendance at the pre-bid meeting is MANDATORY. Bids will not be accepted from any bidder that did not attend. Bidders are responsible for inspecting both structures and determining their own estimated repointing quantities during or following this meeting.

BID SUBMISSION:

(Public Bid Opening)

Monday, September 28, 2026 at 11:00 AM EST

Hand Delivery: 221 E. North 1st St, Seneca, SC 29678

Mail: PO Box 4773, Seneca, SC 29679

Reference: Former Seneca Middle School – Exterior Masonry Repointing and Painting

Attention: Office of the City Administrator, ATTN: Ryan Thomas

Bids must be submitted in a sealed package with the project name and opening date printed on the exterior. Late bids will not be accepted.

AWARD &

AMENDMENTS:

Award and Amendment information will be available at the physical address listed above, at www.seneca.sc.us, or by contacting Ryan Thomas at

864.888.0881 or rthomas@seneca.sc.us.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF

AMENDMENTS

Bidder acknowledges receipt of amendments by indicating amendment number and issue date.

Amendment Number

Amendment Issue Date

Amendment Number

Amendment Issue Date

Drug Free Workplace Certification: By submitting a Bid, the Bidder certifies that, if awarded a contract, the Bidder will comply with all applicable provisions of The Drug-Free Workplace Act, Title 44, Chapter 107 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, as amended.

You must submit a signed copy of pages 1–3 with your Bid. By submitting a bid, You agree to be bound by the terms of this Solicitation. You agree to hold Your Bid open for a minimum of thirty (30) calendar days after the Opening Date. You agree that your bid can be made public under the Freedom of Information Act. The City of Seneca reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive any informalities or irregularities.

NAME OF BIDDER

(Full legal name of business submitting the bid)

BIDDER'S TYPE OF ENTITY: (Check one)

□ Sole Proprietorship □ Partnership

□ Corporation (tax-exempt)

□ Corporate entity (not tax-exempt)

□ Government entity (federal, state, or local)

□ Other ______________________

PRINTED NAME (Printed name of person signing below)

TITLE (Business title of person signing)

STATE OF INCORPORATION (If Bidder is a corporation)

SC CONTRACTOR LICENSE NO. & CLASSIFICATION

TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NO.

CITY OF SENECA BUSINESS LICENSE NO. (if any)

HOME OFFICE ADDRESS (Principal place of business)

PAYMENT ADDRESS (Address to which payments will be sent)

EMAIL:

PHONE:

Instructions regarding Bidder’s name: Any award issued will be issued to, and the contract will be formed with, the entity identified as the Bidder above. A bid may be submitted by only one legal entity. The entity named as the Bidder must be a single and distinct legal entity. Do not use the name of a branch office or a division of a larger entity if the branch or division is not a separate legal entity.

By signing below, the Bidder certifies that: (1) it attended the mandatory pre-bid meeting and inspected both structures; (2) it is qualified and holds all licenses, permits, and regulatory authority required to perform the work described in the bid documents, including a valid South Carolina contractor’s license of the appropriate classification and limitation; and (3) upon request, proof of licenses, permits, and regulatory authority will be provided to the City prior to contract award.

AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE (Person signing must be authorized to submit a binding bid and enter a contract on behalf of the Bidder named above.)

DATE:

BID SCHEDULE

The Bidder agrees to perform all work described in this Request for Bids for the prices set forth below.

Quantities for Items 3 and 4 are estimates prepared by the Bidder based on its own inspection of the structures at the mandatory pre-bid meeting; the City has not established these quantities. Payment for Items 3 and 4 will be based on actual quantities of work performed, verified and accepted by the City, at the unit prices bid. Unit prices shall be full compensation for all labor, materials, equipment, access, and incidentals.

NO. DESCRIPTION

EST. QTY.

(BY BIDDER)

UNIT UNIT PRICE

EXTENDED

AMOUNT

Surface preparation, cleaning, sealant replacement, priming, and painting of masonry and metal coping – Remaining Former School Building (Work Area A)

— LS —

Surface preparation, cleaning, sealant replacement, priming, and painting of masonry and metal coping – Brick Utility Building (Work Area B)

— LS —

Repointing of deteriorated mortar joints – Remaining Former School Building (Work Area A). Bidder to enter its own estimated quantity based on pre-bid inspection.

LF

Repointing of deteriorated mortar joints – Brick Utility Building (Work Area B). Bidder to enter its own estimated quantity based on pre-bid inspection.

LF

TOTAL BASE BID (Items 1–4): $

Award, if made, will be to the lowest Responsible and Responsive Bidder based on the TOTAL BASE BID (Items 1–4), in accordance with Sec. 2-230 of the City of Seneca Code of Ordinances. In comparing bids, the City will consider the reasonableness of Bidder-estimated quantities in relation to observed conditions, and reserves the right to reject any bid containing unbalanced pricing or quantities the City determines to be unreasonable.

Include pages 1–3 (signed) and the completed Bid Schedule with your bid.

SCOPE OF WORK

The City of Seneca, SC (“City”) is soliciting sealed bids from qualified contractors (“Bidder” or “Contractor”) to rehabilitate and paint the exterior brick masonry of two structures on the former middle school property located at 810 W South 4th Street, Seneca, SC. Both structures are unpainted, bare brick. Both structures are included in a single contract; however, they are distinct work areas, and the Contractor shall not assume that masonry, mortar, deterioration, or preparation requirements are identical between the two.

Work Area A – Remaining Former School Building

The portion of the former middle school building remaining after demolition of approximately 70% of the original structure.

• EXCLUSION: The quad of classrooms at the demolition interface, including the newly exposed façade in that area, is entirely excluded from this project. That section will remain unpainted and will be addressed under a separate future procurement. The limits of the excluded area will be identified at the mandatory pre-bid meeting.

Work Area B – Brick Utility Building

A separate, freestanding brick utility building of approximately 1,400 square feet that will remain on the property.

See Exhibit A for photos of both Work Areas.

The Work Generally Includes (Both Work Areas)

• Inspection of the existing exterior brick masonry;

• Repointing deteriorated, missing, cracked, or otherwise deficient mortar joints;

• Cleaning and preparation of all masonry surfaces to receive coatings;

• Removal and replacement of sealant/caulk joints at windows, doors, and penetrations;

• Priming the exterior masonry with a primer appropriate for bare brick;

• Painting the exterior brick masonry with the specified finish system;

• Preparation, priming, and painting of all metal coping on both structures;

• Protection of windows, doors, roofing, pavement, landscaping, fixtures, signage, mechanical/electrical equipment, utility components, and other adjacent surfaces from damage, paint, and overspray;

• All lifts, scaffolding, fall protection, equipment, labor, materials, pedestrian protection, cleanup, and incidentals necessary to complete the work; and

• Final cleanup, inspection, touch-up, and acceptance.

Items Excluded from Painting

The following are excluded from painting and shall be fully protected by the Contractor: roofing (except metal coping, which shall be painted); windows and glass; doors (unless specifically directed in writing by the City); signage; mechanical and electrical equipment; and site improvements including pavement, concrete, and landscaping. The excluded classroom quad described under Work Area A is excluded from all work under this contract.

Measurement and Verification

The Contractor is solely responsible for field-measuring all wall areas, joint quantities, and site conditions. Bidder-entered quantities on the Bid Schedule are for bid comparison and payment purposes; actual repointing quantities will be jointly verified by the Contractor and City staff before that work is covered by coatings. Repointing performed without prior City verification will not be measured for payment.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

1. Cleaning and Surface Preparation

Clean all masonry to remove dirt, biological growth, efflorescence, loose material, and other contaminants using the gentlest effective method. Low-pressure water washing (maximum 600 psi with a fan tip held at an appropriate distance) with a masonry-safe detergent or biological wash is expected.

Sandblasting, high-pressure washing, and other abrasive methods are prohibited without prior written approval of the City. Surfaces must be clean, sound, and dry (per coating manufacturer requirements) before priming.

2. Repointing

Rake out deteriorated, cracked, missing, or unsound mortar joints to sound mortar, to a minimum depth of 2 to 2.5 times the joint width (approximately 3/4 inch typical). Repointing mortar must be softer than the brick and compatible with the existing mortar (the Contractor shall verify suitability in the field).

New joints shall match the profile and tooling of adjacent existing joints.

3. Curing Before Coating

New mortar shall cure a minimum of twenty-eight (28) calendar days, or longer if required by the coating manufacturer, before primer is applied over repointed or rebuilt areas. The Contractor shall sequence the work accordingly within the contract time.

4. Sealants

Remove existing sealant/caulk at joints around windows, doors, and penetrations and replace with a high-quality exterior-grade, paintable polyurethane or hybrid sealant compatible with masonry and the specified coating system, installed per manufacturer instructions with backer rod where appropriate.

5. Coating System

The coating system shall be a breathable (vapor-permeable) masonry system suitable for bare exterior brick, consisting of:

• Primer: One (1) coat of a PPG Perma-Crete masonry primer suited to the surface texture, applied at the manufacturer’s recommended spread rate: PPG Perma-Crete Concrete Block & Masonry Surfacer/Filler (block filler) at porous, open-textured, or irregular masonry where a filled, uniform surface is desired; and/or PPG Perma-Crete Pigmented Bonding Coat (bonding primer) at dense, smooth, or chalky brick surfaces; or approved equal. The Contractor shall confirm primer selection with the manufacturer’s representative based on field conditions at each structure.

• Finish: Two (2) coats of PPG Acri-Shield Max Exterior Latex, satin sheen, or approved equal premium 100% acrylic exterior finish recommended by its manufacturer for properly prepared and primed exterior brick masonry.

Primer and finish coats shall be from the same manufacturer as a compatible system and applied at the manufacturer’s recommended spread rates. Elastomeric coatings are not permitted. Requests for approved equals must be submitted in writing before the question deadline.

6. Metal Coping

Clean all metal coping to remove dirt, chalk, loose rust, and any loose or failing material, and scuff-sand smooth or glossy surfaces to promote adhesion. Prime with one (1) coat of a rust-inhibitive primer appropriate for the coping’s actual metal substrate. A water-based direct-to-metal (DTM) acrylic primer (e.g., Sherwin-Williams Pro Industrial Pro-Cryl Universal Primer, or approved equal) is acceptable on all metal types. Alkyd (oil-based) metal primers and enamels may be used on bare ferrous steel only and shall not be applied to galvanized steel or aluminum coping. Apply two (2) finish coats of an exterior acrylic finish compatible with the primer and recommended by the manufacturer for exterior metal.

Coping colors will be selected by the City together with the building colors.

7. Color Selection

The City will select final colors after award from the manufacturer’s full standard color range. The two structures may be assigned the same or different colors at the City’s discretion. Color selection shall not be grounds for any change in contract price.

8. Weather and Application Limitations

Repointing, sealant, and coating work shall be performed only within the temperature, moisture, wind, and surface-condition limits published by the respective material manufacturers. No coating shall be applied to damp surfaces, when rain is expected before the coating can cure, or when air or surface temperatures are outside manufacturer limits. Days lost to weather shall be documented and may be considered in schedule extensions, but shall not increase the contract price.

BID SUBMITTALS, QUALIFICATIONS, AND AWARD

Required Bid Submittals

Each bid must include:

1. Signed pages 1–3 of this Request for Bids, including all certifications and amendment acknowledgments;

2. The completed Bid Schedule, with all unit prices, Bidder-estimated quantities, extended amounts, and the Total Base Bid;

3. A list of not less than three (3) references for similar masonry repointing and/or exterior masonry painting projects, including project description, year completed, owner/agency name, contact person, and phone number and/or email;

4. A copy of the Bidder’s South Carolina contractor license of the appropriate classification and limitation for this work; and

5. W-9 form.

Minimum Qualifications

To be considered responsible and responsive, the Bidder must: (1) have attended the mandatory pre-bid meeting; (2) hold a valid South Carolina contractor license of the appropriate classification and monetary limitation; (3) demonstrate successful completion of at least three projects similar in scope;

and (4) satisfy the responsibility factors set forth in Sec. 2-230(6) of the City of Seneca Code of Ordinances.

Basis of Award

Award, if made, will be by written notice to the lowest Responsible and Responsive Bidder based on the Total Base Bid, in accordance with Sec. 2-230 of the City of Seneca Code of Ordinances. The City reserves the right to reject any and all bids, with or without cause; to waive informalities or irregularities; to negotiate with the low bidder as permitted by ordinance; and to resolicit bids on modified terms.

Local Preference

This procurement is subject to the local preference provisions of Sec. 2-236 of the City of Seneca Code of Ordinances. A qualifying local bidder whose bid is within 5% of the lowest non-local bid may be offered the opportunity to match the lowest bid, subject to the conditions of that Section.

Right to Protest

Any actual or prospective bidder aggrieved in connection with this solicitation or award may protest in accordance with Sec. 2-242 of the City of Seneca Code of Ordinances. Protests must be filed in writing with the City Administrator within the timeframes established by that Section; failure to timely file constitutes a waiver of all protest rights.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT

Contract Time / Liquidated Damages

The Contractor shall commence work within thirty (30) days of receiving the Notice of Award and shall achieve final completion of all work within ninety (90) days of commencement. Work on the two structures shall proceed concurrently. Time is of the essence. If the work is not complete within the contract time, as adjusted by approved change orders, the Contractor shall be assessed liquidated damages of $225.00 per calendar day, which shall be deducted from the final contract price. In case of failure on the part of the Contractor to complete the work as contractually specified, the Contractor shall be liable to the City for all damages sustained, and the City may pursue all remedies at law and in equity, including recovery of costs of enforcement and reasonable attorney’s fees.

Bonds

Bid security (bid bond) is not required for this solicitation. The awarded Contractor shall furnish a performance bond and a labor and material payment bond, each in the full amount of the contract, issued by a surety company acceptable to the City, prior to contract execution. These bonds are required regardless of the contract value, pursuant to Sec. 2-238 of the City of Seneca Code of Ordinances, including the City’s authority under Sec. 2-238(3) to require security in addition to the bonds otherwise required by that Section.

Insurance

The awarded Contractor shall furnish, within five (5) working days of request and prior to contract execution and any work, an original certificate of insurance naming the City of Seneca as additional insured under comprehensive general liability coverage, with limits not less than:

• Commercial General Liability – Bodily Injury: $1,000,000 each person; $1,000,000 each accident;

• Commercial General Liability – Property Damage: $1,000,000 each accident; $1,000,000 aggregate;

• Automobile/Fleet Liability – Bodily Injury: $1,000,000 each person; $1,000,000 each accident;

Property Damage: $1,000,000 each accident; and

• Workers’ Compensation and Employer’s Liability at statutory limits ($100,000 employer’s liability), covering all employees of the Contractor and all City-approved subcontractors.

Warranty

The Contractor shall warrant all priming and painting work against defects in materials and workmanship, including peeling, blistering, and loss of adhesion, for one (1) year from final acceptance, and shall warrant all repointing and masonry repair work for two (2) years from final acceptance. The Contractor shall repair or replace defective work at no cost to the City. Manufacturer warranties on coatings and sealants shall be assigned or passed through to the City.

Payments and Retainage

The Contractor shall submit a schedule of values for approval prior to the first payment application. The City will make monthly progress payments based on the percentage of satisfactory work completed, less ten percent (10%) retainage. Retainage will be released upon final completion, final cleanup, and written acceptance of all work by the City. Payment for unit-price items will be based on verified actual quantities.

Change Orders / Changes in Contract Price

Changes to the work must be approved by the City in writing prior to additional work being started. The contract price may be changed only by a written Change Order executed by the Contractor and approved by the City, setting forth the change in scope and price. Adjustments to repointing quantities will be made at the unit prices bid.

Contract Administration and Inspection

City staff will administer the contract and perform all inspections. The Contractor shall provide reasonable notice and access for inspection of raked joints prior to repointing, of repointed areas prior to priming, and of primed surfaces prior to finish coats.

Site Conditions, Safety, and Protection

The Contractor is responsible for all means and methods, including scaffolding, lifts, rigging, and fall protection, in full compliance with OSHA requirements. The Contractor shall protect all adjacent improvements, equipment, utilities, and surfaces from damage, paint, and overspray, and shall promptly repair or compensate the City for any damage caused by its operations. The Contractor shall maintain the site in a clean, safe condition, perform daily cleanup, and legally dispose of all debris and waste off-site. No other City sitework is planned during this project.

Permits, Fees, Licenses, and Taxes

The Contractor and any subcontractor shall promptly pay all federal, state, and local taxes assessed in connection with the work. The selected Contractor and all subcontractors will each be required to obtain a City of Seneca business license.

Collusive Bidding

More than one bid from an individual, firm, partnership, corporation, or association under the same or different names will not be considered. Reasonable grounds for believing that a Bidder is interested in more than one bid for the same work will cause the rejection of all bids in which such Bidder is interested. Any or all bids will be rejected if there is reason to believe collusion exists among Bidders;

participants in such collusion will not be considered in future bids.

QUESTIONS & INQUIRIES

Questions and inquiries regarding this solicitation shall be submitted in writing to the City no later than 2:00 PM EST on Monday, September 14, 2026.

Ryan Thomas, Assistant City Administrator – rthomas@seneca.sc.us

The City of Seneca’s Bid & Proposal Opportunities webpage (https://seneca.sc.us/finance-home/bids-and-proposals) shall be the official site for information related to this Request for Bids. Answers to questions and any other changes or clarifications will be communicated via addendum. It is the Bidder’s responsibility to check the City’s website for updates. The Bidder must acknowledge all amendments on the Bid Form submitted with its bid.

SUBMITTAL

One hard copy of the bid is due in the Office of the City Administrator no later than Monday, September 28, 2026 at 11:00 AM EST. Bids must be submitted in a sealed envelope marked “Former Seneca Middle School – Exterior Masonry Repointing and Painting.”

Late Submittals

Under no circumstances shall bids be accepted after the specified deadline. The City will not be responsible for late deliveries or delayed mail. It is the Bidder’s sole responsibility to ensure that submittals are complete and delivered prior to the stated deadline. Oral offers or offers by facsimile or email are not acceptable.

Public Opening of Bids

A public opening will be held 5 minutes following the submittal deadline at the following location:

Seneca City Hall, Council Chambers

221 E. North 1st Street

Seneca, South Carolina 29678

No packages will be accepted at the Public Opening. Packages must be submitted prior to the deadline to be considered. The names of the firms submitting bids and the amounts bid will be read aloud and recorded.

This Request for Bids does not commit the City of Seneca to executing an agreement, to paying any costs incurred in the preparation of a bid, or to contracting for services.

Exhibit A