#223123 Salem Downtown Signal Improvements

The City of Salem, located in Marion County, Oregon, is procuring a Downtown Signal Improvements project (Bid No. 223123) through a competitive bidding process. The project involves comprehensive traffic signal modifications at 29 intersections throughout downtown Salem, including removing and replacing traffic signal heads, installing aluminum traffic signs, and implementing thermal detection and pan-tilt-zoom traffic monitoring cameras. Bidders were required to be registered with the Oregon Construction Contractors Board or State Landscape Contractors Board, with proposals due by 2:30 pm on February 28, 2023. The bid process included two addenda and was conducted via a public Zoom opening, with no pre-bid conference scheduled. The successful contractor will be required to complete all work within 335 days of the Notice to Proceed, with potential liquidated damages of up to $1,000 per day for project delays. Evaluation criteria focused on selecting the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, with compliance requirements including prevailing wage standards and non-discrimination provisions.

Nine bidders submitted proposals for this contract, with bid amounts ranging from $618,500 to $729,100, and an additional alternate bid for pedestrian signal head replacement ranging from $91,640 to $110,600. The engineer's estimate for the project was between $600,000 and $800,000, with the contract ultimately recommended for award to Northstar Electrical Contractors, Inc. of Sherwood, Oregon, at a total contract value of $708,640. The project is being funded by the City of Salem, with the contract scheduled for award on March 28, 2023. While no specific set-aside designations were explicitly mentioned, the procurement process appeared to be open to qualified electrical and infrastructure contractors capable of meeting the technical specifications and local regulatory requirements. The project represents a significant investment in urban infrastructure improvements, focusing on modernizing downtown Salem's traffic signal and monitoring systems.