Instruction_to_Sidewalk_Bidders_-_2026_08_28.pdf

CITYWIDE SIDEWALK, CURB, ADA RAMP AND APRON

REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT UNIT PRICE BID

CITY OF BRIDGEPORT—CWB014279

INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS

1. Description and Location of Work:

Scope, scale and locations will vary.

2. Time and Place for Receipt of Bids:

Sealed bids shall be received on or before the date and hour specified in the Invitation to Bid. At that time, they will be opened by a Purchasing staff person of the City of Bridgeport’s Department of Purchasing and in the presence of representatives of the Public Facilities Department, and the results posted to OpenGov.

3. Definitions:

The definitions set forth below shall apply to this Invitation to Bid.

(A) Bid is a complete and properly executed proposal to do the work as set forth in the requirements of the Contract Documents, for the sum stipulated therein. All Bids must be submitted in accordance with the Bidding Requirements.

(B) The Base Bid is the sum stated in the Bid for which the Bidder agrees to perform the work described in the Contract Documents as the base to which work may be added to or deleted from for sums indicated in Alternate Bids.

(C) An Alternate Bid (or Alternate) is an amount stated in the Bid for which work is to be added to or deleted from the Base Bid if the corresponding change in the work as described in the Contract Documents is accepted.

(D) A Bidder is a person or entity who submits a Bid and meets the requirements set forth in the Bidding Requirements.

4. Bidding Requirements and Contract Documents:

Contracts for the work being bid will be with the City of Bridgeport. An example of the City of Bridgeport - Contractor Agreement per work order is included in the bidding documents.

(A) Except for titles, sub-titles, headings, running headlines, tables of contents and indices (all of which are printed herein merely for convenience), the following, except for such portions thereof as may be specifically excluded, shall be deemed to be part of the Contract and the Invitation to Bid.

(1) Invitation to Bid

(2) Instructions to Bidders

(3) Construction Services Insurance Rider

(4) General Conditions Construction 07082025

(5) Sidewalk Repair General Services Agmt

(6) Sidewalk Work Order Draft – 4.2.5

(7) City of Bridgeport Sidewalk - Curbs & Driveways Specifications & Standard Details

(8) CT DOT Concrete Sidewalk Ramp(s) Guide Sheets

• 106-Guide Sheet – General Sidewalk Ramps

• 109-Guide Sheet – Basic Ramp

• 112-Guide Sheet – Two Directional Perpendicular & Blend Ramps

• 115-Guide Sheet – Perpendicular Ramps with Street

• 118-Guide Sheet – Parallel & Perpendicular Ramps

• 121-Guide Sheet – Perpendicular Ramps

• 124-Guide Sheet – Single Direction Perpendicular Ramps

• 127-Guide Sheet – Perpendicular Ramps

• 130-Guide Sheet – Restricted Pedestrian Crossing Ramps

• 133-Guide Sheet – Pedestrian Refuse Islands

• 136-Guide Sheet – Railroad Crossing Ramps

• 139-Guide Sheet – Driveways

(9) CT DOT Standard Sheets

• HW-0803_01 – Paved Aprons

• HW-0811_01 – Concrete Curbing

• HW-0813_01 – Granite Transition Curbing

• HW-0813_02 – Stone Curbing

• HW-0815_01 – Bituminous Curbing

• HW-0921_01 – Concrete Sidewalks

• HW-0922_01 – Bituminous Concrete Sidewalk & Driveway

• HW-0924_01 – Concrete Driveway Ramps

(10) The Bid Form

(11) All addenda issued by the City prior to the receipt of bids.

(B) For particulars as to this procurement, prospective Bidders are referred to the

Invitation to Bid document.

(C) Bidders may obtain a set of the Bid Documents from the issuing office designated in the Invitation to Bid and/or Invitation to Bidders. A non-refundable fee as indicated in the Invitation and Invitation to Bid is required for the release of each set of the Bid Documents. Any addenda issued will be distributed without charge to Bidders who have received Bid Documents. Bidders are responsible to verify the completeness of all bidding documents.

(D) Addenda will be issued no later than four calendar days prior to the bid date except an addendum withdrawing the Advertisement or Invitation to Bid or one that includes postponement of the bid date.

(E) Additional copies of the Bid Documents can be made at the Bidder’s expense using the original documents purchased.

(F) Bidding Documents will not be issued directly to Sub-bidders unless specifically offered in the Advertisement or Invitation to Bid.

(G) Bidders shall use complete sets of Bid Documents in preparing Bids. Neither the

City nor the Architect, if any, assumes responsibility for errors or misrepresentations resulting from use of incomplete sets of Bid Documents.

Complete sets may be viewed at the Purchasing Department, 999 Broad Street, Bridgeport, Connecticut, 06604.

(H) This project is exempt from State of Connecticut Sales Tax. A Tax Exemption

Certificate will be issued to all contractors and material suppliers. If a contract is issued to a "non-resident contractor", as that term is used in C.G.S. 12-430(7), it shall provide the City with a certificate from the Commissioner of Revenue Services showing that the conditions of the statute have been met by the contractor.

(I) The submission of a bid or proposal by a contractor for the whole or any part of the work of this project shall constitute an acceptance by such contractor of the terms and conditions of all duly promulgated ordinances and regulations of the City of Bridgeport to the extent the same are applicable; and a contract awarded in response to such bid or proposal shall be deemed to incorporate all such pertinent ordinances and regulations.

5. Point of Contact:

Any questions or correspondence relating to this bid solicitation shall be addressed by email or in writing to the contact person specified in the Advertisement or Invitation to Bid. Questions and answers will be posted on OpenGov.

6. Bidder's Representations:

The Bidder, by providing a Bid Proposal, represents that:

(A) The Bidder has read and understands the Bidding Requirements and Contract Documents to the extent that such documentation relates to the work for which the Bid is submitted and other portions of the project, if any, being bid concurrently or presently under construction.

(B) The bid submitted is in complete compliance with all requirements of the Contract Documents; that the bid is based upon the materials, equipment and systems required, without exception.

(C) An authorized representative of the Bidder has properly signed the bid and verifies by written oath, that the several matters stated and information furnished therein are, in all aspects, true. A materially false statement willfully or fraudulently made in connection with the bid or any of the forms completed and submitted with the bid may result in the termination of any contract between the City and the Bidder. In addition, the Bidder may be barred from participating in future City contracts as well as be subject to possible criminal prosecution.

7. Bidder Responsibilities and Qualifications:

(A) Bidders shall submit with their bid, the following forms, properly executed with all answers and statements complete and signed by an authorized representative of the Bidder:

1. Statement of Bidder’s Qualifications;

2. Non-Collusion Affidavit

3. Notification to Bidders

4. Contract Compliance Data Form

5. Certification of Bidder EEO Form

6. Contractor Wage Certification Form

(B) The City may require any Bidder or prospective Bidder to furnish all books of account, records, vouchers, statements or other information concerning the Bidder's financial status for examination as deemed necessary by the City to ascertain the Bidder's responsibility and capability to perform the contract. If required, a Bidder must also submit a sworn statement providing such information as the City may require concerning present and proposed plant and equipment, the personnel and qualifications of his working organizations, prior experience and performance record. The City reserves the right to disqualify or refuse to award a contract to any individual, partnership, firm or corporation for reasons including but not limited to any of the following:

1. For having defaulted on a previous contract;

2. For having failed, without acceptable justification, to complete a contract within the contract period;

3. For having failed to prosecute the work in accordance with contract requirements;

4. For having performed contract work in an unsatisfactory manner;

5. For having failed to prosecute work continuously, diligently and cooperatively in an orderly sequence;

6. For providing a sworn statement, if required, regarding plant and equipment, personnel, qualifications, experience, capitalization and performance record which, in the City’s judgment, indicates the bidder does not have the required experience in the class of work to be bid on, does not have the proper labor and equipment to prosecute the work within the time allowed, or does not have sufficient capital and liquid assets to finance the work.

8. Examination of Proposed Contract Documents:

Bidders shall at once and are obligated to report to the City errors, omissions, inconsistencies or ambiguities discovered.

(A) Request for Interpretation or Correction – Bidders, upon discovering any patent ambiguity, inconsistency or error, which should have been discovered by a reasonably prudent bidder, must request, in writing, an interpretation or correction from the City. Such interpretation or correction, as well as any additional contract provisions the City may decide to include, will be issued in writing by the City as an addendum to the contract, sent by mail, facsimile or delivered to each Bidder recorded as having received a copy of the Contract Documents. The addendum will also be posted at the place where the contract documents are available for the inspection of prospective bidders. Upon such mailing or delivery and posting, such addendum shall become a part of the Contract Documents, and binding on all bidders, whether or not actual notice of such addendum is shown.

(B) Only City's Interpretation or Correction Binding - Only the written interpretation or correction so given by the City shall be binding, and prospective bidders are warned that no other person, firm or corporation is authorized to give information concerning, or to explain or interpret, the contract documents.

(C) Time Limit on Requests – The City shall not consider any requests for interpretation or correction within one (1) week of the date specified for receipt of bids. No addenda will be issued within three days of the date specified for receipt of bids.

9. Preparation of Bid:

Each bid must be submitted upon the prescribed Bid Form, one (1) hard copy and 1 digital copy (flash drive). All blanks on the Bid Form shall be executed, either typewritten or written legibly in ink, and shall be signed in ink.

The signer shall initial erasures, interlineations, or alterations in ink. Sums shall be expressed in both words and figures; in case of discrepancy, the amount written in words shall govern. All requested Alternates shall be bid; if no change in the Base Bid is required, enter “No Change.” The bid must contain:

(A) The name, residence and place of business of the person or persons making the same;

(B) The names of all persons interested therein, and if no other person is so interested, such fact must be distinctly stated;

(C) A statement to the effect that it is made without any connection with any other person making a bid for the same purpose and that it is in all respects fair and without collusion or fraud;

(D) A statement that no Council member or other officer or employee or person whose salary is payable in whole or part from the City Treasury is directly or indirectly interested therein or in the supplies, materials or equipment and work or labor to which it relates, or in any portion of the profits thereof;

(E) A statement that the bidder is not in arrears to the City or to any agency upon a debt or contract or taxes, and is not a defaulter as surety or otherwise upon any obligation to the City to any agency thereof, except as set forth in the bid.

10. Modification or Withdrawal of Bid:

The prices set forth in the bid cannot be revoked and shall be effective until the award of the contract, unless the bid is withdrawn as provided for herein.

(A) Bids may be modified or withdrawn by written notice received in the office designated in the Advertisement or Invitation to Bid, before the time and date set for the bid opening. Written confirmation over the signature of the Bidder shall be received, and date- and time-stamped by the receiving party on or before the date and time set for receipt of bids

(B) Withdrawn bids may be resubmitted up to the date and time designated for receipt of bids provided they are fully in conformance with this Instruction to Bidders.

(C) If a bid is withdrawn in accordance with this document, the bid security, if any, shall be returned to the bidder.

(D) Except as provided for above, a Bidder may not withdraw its bid before the expiration of one hundred twenty (120) days after the date of the opening of bids;

thereafter, a Bidder may withdraw its bid only in writing and in advance of an actual award. If within sixty (60) days after the execution of the contract, the City fails to fix the date for commencement of work by written notice to the Bidder, the Bidder, at his option, may ask to be relieved of his obligation to perform the work called for by written notice to the City. If such notice is given to the City, and the request to withdraw is granted, the Bidder waives all claims in connection with this solicitation.

Each Bidder so agrees to this stipulation in submitting a Bid.

11. Acknowledgment of Amendments:

The Bidder, in his submission, shall acknowledge the receipt of any amendment to the contract documents. Failure to do so may be cause for rejection of the bid.

12. Bid Evaluation and Award:

In accordance with the City of Bridgeport Ordinances, and the terms and conditions of this Instruction to Bidders, this contract shall be awarded, if at all, to the responsible Bidder whose bid meets the requirements and evaluation criteria set forth in the Advertisement and the Invitation to Bid and who submits the bid most favorable and in the best interest of the City. However, the City shall have the discretion to reject any or all bids.

The City reserves the right to award the bid

It is the intent of the City to choose up ONE (1) lowest, responsive, responsible bidder to enter into a two (2) year contract (with possible one (1) year extension) with the fixed unit prices for repairs to be conducted per work order. Repair work orders will likely be issued with a specific number and locations of repairs.

to a single bidder who meets the specifications for all items and offers the best combination of lowest cost, best availability, and broadest product range;

and may add, subtract or delete any item or quantity as deemed in the best interest of City.

The City of Bridgeport is soliciting bids for sidewalk construction and repair services.

Contracts will be awarded to ONE (1) contractor based on lowest unit pricing established by the lowest responsive and responsible bidder under this Invitation to Bid. Selected contractor will enter into work order agreement with the City at the awarded unit prices for an initial term of two (2) years, with a possible one (1) year extension at the City’s sole discretion. The City reserves the right to assign work based on geographic areas, contractor availability, a rotational system, or for any other reason determined to be in the City’s best interest.

13. Late Bids, Late Withdrawals and Late Modifications:

All bids are due at the location designated in the Advertisement and Invitation to Bid by the specified date and time. Bids must be complete and comply with all requirements set forth in the Bid Documents.

(A) Any bid received at the place designated in the solicitation after the time and date set for receipt of bids is late and shall not be considered.

(B) Bids received at any other location than that designated shall not be considered.

(C) Any request for withdrawal or modification received at the place designated in the solicitation after the time and date set for receipt of bids is late and shall not be considered.

(D) The exception to this provision is that a late modification of a successful bid that makes the bid terms more favorable to the City shall be considered at any time it is received.

14. Mistake in Bids:

(A) Mistakes Discovered Before Bid Opening - A Bidder may correct mistakes discovered before the time and date set for bid opening by withdrawing or correcting the bid as provided in Section 11, above.

(B) Mistakes Discovered Before Award

1. Where a unilateral error or mistake is discovered in a bid, such bid may be withdrawn upon written approval of the City, if the following conditions are met:

a) The mistake is known or made known to the City prior to the awarding of the contract or within three days after the opening of the bid, whichever period is shorter; and

b) The price bid was based upon an error of such magnitude that enforcement would be unconscionable; and

c) The bid was submitted in good faith and the bidder submits credible evidence that the mistake was a clerical error as opposed to a judgment error; and

d) The error in the bid is actually due to an unintentional and substantial arithmetic error or an unintentional omission of a substantial quantity of work, labor, material or services made directly in the compilation of the bid, which unintentional arithmetic error or unintentional omission can be clearly shown by objective evidence drawn from inspection of the original work paper, documents, or materials used in the preparation of the bid sought to be withdrawn; and

e) It is possible to place the City in the same position as existed prior to the bid.

2. Unless otherwise required by law, the sole remedy for a bid mistake in accordance with this Section shall be withdrawal of the bid, and the return of the bid bond or other security, if any, to the Bidder. Thereafter, the City may, in its discretion, award the contract to the next lowest Bidder or re-bid the contract. Any amendment to or reformation of a bid or a contract to rectify such an error or mistake therein is strictly prohibited.

3. If the mistake and the intended correct bid are clearly evident on the face of the bid document, the bid shall be corrected to the intended correct bid and may not be withdrawn.

Examples of mistakes that may be corrected are typographical errors, errors in extending unit prices, transposition errors and arithmetical errors.

15. Tie Bids:

(A) When two or more low responsive bids from responsible bidders are identical in price and meet all the requirements and criteria set forth in the Advertisement and Invitation to Bid, the City will break the tie in the following manner and order of priority:

1. Award to a responsible, certified City of Bridgeport Minority or Woman

Business Enterprise (MBE) Bidder; (NOT APPLICABLE)

2. Award to a certified State of Connecticut Small, Minority or Woman-owned Business Enterprise (SBE/MBE/WBE); (NOT APPLICABLE)

3. Bidder Award to a responsible City-based Bidder;

4. Award to a State of Connecticut Bidder.

(B) If two or more bidders still remain equally eligible after application of paragraph

(A) above, the City shall award by drawing from a lot limited to those bidders. The bidders involved shall be invited to attend the drawing. A witness shall be present to verify the drawing and shall certify the results on the bid tabulation sheet.

16. Rejection of Bids:

(A) Rejection of Individual Bids - The City may reject a bid if:

1. The bidder fails to furnish any of the information required; or if

2. The bidder is determined to be not responsible; or if

3. The bid is determined to be non-responsive; or if

4. The bid, in the opinion of the City, contains unbalanced bid prices and is thus non-responsive.

(B) Rejection of All Bids - The City may reject all bids and may elect to re-solicit bids if in its sole opinion it shall deem it in the best interest of the City to do so.

(C) Rejection of All Bids and Summary Bid Process With All Responsible Bidders - In the event all bids submitted by responsive, responsible and qualified bidders exceed the City’s budget for such purchase, the City, upon written approval by the Purchasing Department, may determine that it is appropriate to reject all bids after bid opening and before award and to complete the acquisition by Summary Bid Process open only to such responsible, qualified bidders that originally submitted a bid.

Such Summary Bid Process may include a post-bid conference, shall permit resubmission of such original bids or the submission of new bids in not less than three days from the mailing of notice to the original bidders, and may provide for the deletion or modification of one or more alternates or change in the specifications provided in the original bid package.

17. Equal Employment Opportunity:

This Advertisement and Invitation to Bid is subject to applicable provisions of Federal, State and Local Laws and executive orders requiring equal employment opportunity.

18. Bid, Performance and Payment Security: Unless otherwise stated in the Invitation to

Bid,

(A) Bid Bond – (NOT APPLICABLE) 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 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 estimated bed.

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

(B) Acceptable Types of Security - Acceptable types of security for bids, performance, and payment shall be limited to the following:

1. A one-time bond in a form satisfactory to the City;

2. A bank certified check or money order;

(C) Whenever the successful Bidder deposits obligations of the City of Bridgeport as performance and payment security, the City may sell and use the proceeds thereof for any purpose for which the principal or surety on such bond would be liable under the terms of the contract. If money is deposited with the City, the successful Bidder shall not be entitled to receive interest on such money from the City.

(D) Form of Bonds - Security provided in the form of bonds must be prepared on the form of bonds authorized by the City of Bridgeport. Forms for bid, performance, and payment bonds are listed in the Bidding Documents. Such bonds must have as surety thereunder such surety company or companies as are approved by the City of Bridgeport and authorized to do business in the State of Connecticut. Premiums for any required bonds must be included in the base bid.

(E) Power of Attorney - Attorneys in fact who sign bid, performance, or payment bonds must file with each bond a certified copy of their power of attorney to sign said bonds.

19. Failure to Execute Contract:

In the event of failure of the successful Bidder(s) to execute the contract and furnish the required security within five (5) days (if no bond is required) and ten (10) days (if bond is required) after notice of the award of the contract, such bidder may be deemed non-responsive. The deposit of the successful Bidder or so much thereof as shall be applicable to the amount of the award made shall be retained by the City, and the successful Bidder shall be liable for and hereby agrees to pay on demand the difference between the price bid and the price for which such contract shall be subsequently awarded, including the cost of any required re-bidding and less the amount of such deposit. No plea of mistake in such accepted bid shall be available to the Bidder for the recovery of the deposit or as a defense to any action based upon such accepted bid. Further, should the Bidder's failure to comply with this Section cause any funding agency, body or group (Federal, State, City, Public, Private, etc.) to terminate, cancel or reduce the funding on this project, the Bidder in such event shall be liable also to the City for the amount of actual funding withdrawn by such agency on this project, less the amount of the forfeited deposit.

20. Labor Law Requirements:

(A) General - The successful bidder will be required to comply strictly with all

Federal, State and local labor laws and regulations.

(B) Minimum Wages - This contract is subject to the State of Connecticut Labor Law Section 31-53, which requires that all laborers and mechanics on the site be paid no less than the wage rates contained in the determination by the U.S. Secretary of Labor and the Connecticut Department of Labor attached as part of the Contract Documents. The Contractor is reminded that all wage provisions of this contract will be enforced strictly and failure to comply will be considered when evaluating performance. Noncompliance may result in the contractor being fined and debarred by the City from future contracts. Complaints filed with the Comptroller may result in decisions that may debar a contractor from bidding contracts with any state governmental entity and other political subdivisions.

(C) Records – The Contractor will be required to submit accurate payroll reports and other required documents and verify attendance and job classifications being utilized in compliance with the law, contract provisions and specified procedures.

21. Contractor Insurance Requirements:

Bidders are advised that the insurance requirements contained herein will be regarded as a material term of this contract. During performance and up to the date of final acceptance, the Contractor must effect and maintain, with companies authorized to do business in the State of Connecticut, the types and amounts of insurance specified in the Contract Documents.

22. Unit Price Contracts:

(A) Comparison of Bids - Bids on Unit Price Contracts will be compared on the basis of a total estimated price, arrived at by taking the sum of the estimated quantities of such items, in accordance with the Engineer's Estimate of Quantities set forth in the Bid Form, multiplied by the corresponding unit prices, and including any lump sum bids on individual items.

(B) Variations from Engineer's Estimate - Bidders are warned that the Engineer's

Estimate of Quantities on the various items of work and materials is approximate only, given solely to be used as a uniform basis for the comparison of bids, and is not be considered part of this contract. The quantities actually required to complete the contract work may be less or more than so estimated, and if so, no action for damages or for loss of profits shall accrue to the contractor by reason thereof.

(C) Overruns - If during the progress of the work, due to errors, site conditions, changes in design or any other reason, it appears that the actual quantity of any unit item necessary to complete the work will exceed the estimated quantity by 25 percent, the Contractor shall immediately notify the Project Manager of such anticipated overruns.

1. The contractor shall not be compensated for work performed in excess of one hundred twenty-five (125) percent of the estimate quantities in the bid schedule without written authorization from the Project Manager.

2. The contractor will be paid at the unit price bid for quantities up to one hundred twenty-five (125) percent of the estimated quantities listed in the bid schedule.

If quantities on any item exceed one hundred twenty-five (125) percent of the estimate, the Owner reserves the right and the Contractor agrees to re-negotiate the unit price bid to a new unit price for such quantities. If the City requires additional units of the item and the City and Contractor cannot agree on a new price then the City shall order the Contractor to perform the additional work. The Contractor agrees to perform the additional work on a time and material basis for the actual and reasonable cost as determined under the Contract, but in no event at a cost exceeding the bid price.

23. License and Permits:

The successful Bidder will be required to obtain all necessary licenses and permits necessary to perform the work. The cost of obtaining such licenses and permits shall be the responsibility of the Contractor.

24. Multiple Prime Contractors:

If more than one prime contractor will be involved on this project, all contractors are required to examine the Advertisement and Invitation to Bid packages for all other parts of the project.