54-TJK-14-PR33618 custodial operations and maintenance of rest areas

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is soliciting proposals for custodial operations and maintenance services at two rest area facilities located on US 23/74 in Balsam, Haywood County, Division 14. This Request for Proposal (RFP) seeks comprehensive janitorial services including labor, supervision, equipment, and supplies necessary to maintain service buildings, restrooms, utility buildings, vending facilities, grounds, picnic areas, water systems, sewer lines, and stormwater devices at both eastbound and westbound rest areas. The contract requires differentiated staffing levels based on seasonal operations, with full staffing of one attendant per shift per site during 14-hour operational days from May 1 through October 31, and reduced staffing options available during winter months (November 1 through April 30) or budget restrictions. Qualified bidders must submit both lump-sum annual pricing and monthly pricing for reduced staffing scenarios, along with proposals addressing labor, equipment provision, professional uniform rental services, emergency supply management, and comprehensive liability insurance with $5,000,000 per occurrence limits. Mandatory minimum wage rates are $15.34 per hour for rest area attendants and $20.34 per hour for supervisors, effective July 1, 2026. Bid questions must be submitted by 5:00 PM on March 19, 2026, with proposals due by 2:00 PM on April 8, 2026. The contract becomes effective July 1, 2026, runs through June 30, 2027, and may be extended for two additional one-year periods at NCDOT's sole discretion with 90-day notification before expiration.

This procurement is designated as a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) set-aside contract, restricting eligibility to bidders currently certified as SBE contractors by NCDOT's Office of Civil Rights with annual gross income of $1,500,000 or less, exclusive of materials. A North Carolina General Contractor's license is waived for this project, as are performance and payment bonds; however, contractors must provide a performance guarantee equal to five percent of monthly compensation during the first year, which will be refunded upon completion unless the contract is extended. The contract includes detailed compensation reduction schedules for non-compliance with service standards, with deductions ranging from $100 to $500 per incident for violations such as inadequate staffing, missing supplies, safety violations, and failure to maintain required documentation. The maximum annual contract limit is $500,000 per year with a maximum total contract limit of $1,000,000 per year, reflecting the scope and scale of services required at these two rest area facilities.