Bent Creek Superintendent's Residence Repairs

The USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station is soliciting sealed bids for construction services to repair and update the Superintendent's Residence at Bent Creek Experimental Forest in Asheville, North Carolina. The scope of work includes addressing sewer drainage issues by replacing cast iron pipe with PVC, repairing or replacing failed HVAC units (3-ton cooling system with furnace and evaporator coil), replacing damaged exterior doors and windows, remedying mold in the bathroom, repainting interior surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom, and completing miscellaneous plumbing repairs and fixture work. This is an Invitation for Bid (IFB) with contract award to be made on a firm-fixed-price basis to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The contract will be evaluated and awarded based on price alone, with the requirement that all bids include a single lump sum price covering all line items to be considered responsive. Critical deadlines include a mandatory site visit on March 24, 2026 at 10:00 AM ET, a question submission deadline of April 6, 2026, and a bid submission deadline of April 15, 2026 at 10:00 AM ET via email to cynthia.granderson@usda.gov.

This procurement is designated as a Total Small Business Set-Aside under NAICS code 236220 (Commercial and Institutional Building Construction) with a small business size standard of $45 million, meaning only qualified small businesses are eligible to bid. The project is anticipated to cost less than $25,000, though performance and payment bonds equal to 100% of the contract award price are required if the contract exceeds $35,000, and a bid guarantee of 20% of the bid price is mandatory. The contractor must begin performance within 10 calendar days of award notice and complete all work within 120 calendar days, with a delivery deadline of August 3, 2026. Work on the occupied upstairs portion of the residence cannot commence until after August 14, 2026, as the building serves as temporary housing for interns and employees during peak occupancy from May 4 through August 14. The place of performance is the Superintendent's Residence at Bent Creek Experimental Forest located at 1577 Brevard Road, Asheville, North Carolina 28806. Davis-Bacon Act prevailing wage requirements apply for Buncombe County, North Carolina.