OR FLAP DOT 126(1), Blue Pool Safety and Access Enhancement Project

The Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration is seeking a contractor for the OR FLAP DOT 126(1) Blue Pool Safety and Access Enhancement Project, a comprehensive infrastructure improvement initiative located in Oregon's Willamette National Forest. The project involves constructing a new paved parking area with approximately 100 vehicle capacity, improving Forest Service Road 2600-735, and enhancing approximately 1,900 feet of OR-126 with a new left turn lane. Key contract requirements include site grading, excavation, roadway aggregate installation, asphalt paving, erosion control measures, and constructing additional site amenities such as vault toilets, kiosks, and signage. The solicitation (No. 69056725B000002) requires contractors to demonstrate technical capability to manage complex roadway and trailhead infrastructure development, with a focus on environmental preservation and safety enhancement. Bids were due by November 21, 2024, with the contract anticipated to be awarded shortly thereafter.

The contract is designated as a Total Small Business set-aside, specifically targeting highway, street, and bridge construction firms within NAICS category 237310. Three contractors submitted bids: Marcum & Son LLC ($2,198,652.50), Cascade Civil CORP ($2,680,086.00), and North Santiam Paving Company ($3,566,955.00), with Marcum & Son LLC submitting the lowest bid against an Engineer's Estimate of $2,716,000. The project involves approximately 3,100 cubic yards of roadway excavation, 2,500 tons of asphalt concrete pavement, and 4,100 cubic yards of roadway aggregate, with work to be performed in Linn County, Oregon. The project is a collaborative effort between the Federal Highway Administration, United States Forest Service, and Oregon Department of Transportation, with construction expected to enhance safety and access at the McKenzie River National Recreation Trailhead. Contractors must also coordinate with the U.S. Forest Service, as there is an adjacent trail construction project running through September 2025.