RECOVERY Major renovations to the U. S. National Arboretum Laboratory and Administration Building in Washington, D. C. to address deferred maintenance of critical mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems and incidental repairs.

PROPOSAL DUE DATE IS MARCH 19, 2010, 2:00 PM, LOCAL TIME.

RECOVERY - The USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) intends to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to address deferred maintenance of critical mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, and incidental repairs. Contractor will also provide leased office trailers and move staff into the trailers and back when construction is completed.  The renovations include asbestos abatement, architectural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, other miscellaneous renovations, and commissioning.

The schedule of items will include a base item and 3 optional items. The base item will encompass work associated with the  renovation/repairs to the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems;  Optional Item #1 is for renovations in the Auditorium; Optional Item #2 is to clean the exterior of the building and caulk as required; and Optional Item #3 is for the roof replacement.

The contract performance time is 420 calendar days after the issuance of the notice to proceed. The Estimated Cost of Construction (ECC) for the project is between $5 million and $10 million. The NAICS code is 236220 with a size standard of $33.5 million.  This procurement is being issued as a 100% Total Small Business Set-Aside.  Bid Bonds are required.  Performance and Payment Bonds will be required by the successful offeror, each equal to the total contract amount.  The solicitation documents will be available for viewing and downloading on FedBizOpps (www.fedbizopps.gov) on or about January 20, 2010.

A single pre-proposal conference and site visit has been tentatively scheduled for February 5, 2010, at 9:00 a.m. at the U.S. National Arboretum, in Washington, D.C.  Final date and registration information will be provided in Section L of the solicitation.

Subcontractors are encouraged to attend the pre-proposal conference and provide copies of their business resumes to potential prime contractors for possible subcontracting opportunities.  Proposals are due on Friday, March 5, 2010, at:   USDA, ARS, FD, Facilities Contracts Branch; 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Mailstop 5124; ATTN:  Darleen Masten; Beltsville, MD 20705-5124.  Due to the heightened security at Government buildings, offerors are encouraged to send their proposals via overnight mail.  If proposals are sent via regular mail, please allow an additional five (5) days for mail scanning.  Couriers will not be allowed to drop proposals off at the security desk; they must take them to the mail room located at the back of the building and, therefore, must do so in enough time to meet the date and time for receipt of proposals.