702-27-03, Freight Elevator Addition at Virginia Industries for the Blind - Charlottesville

The Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired is requesting sealed bids for construction of a freight elevator addition at Virginia Industries for the Blind in Charlottesville, with bids due July 9, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. through eVA and a public bid opening via teleconference on July 10. The Commonwealth's goal is that over 50% of purchases be made from Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (DSBSD) certified small businesses; bidders must submit a Small Business Subcontractor Plan identifying proposed participation, with failure to achieve stated participation levels potentially constituting breach of contract.

The scope encompasses construction of a new hydraulic freight elevator addition (1,902 square feet across multiple floors) at 1102 Monticello Road, including all necessary trades — structural steel, concrete, masonry, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire suppression, and roofing — while the facility remains occupied and operational. Upon the new elevator's operational status, the existing freight elevator will be removed and the concrete floor infilled. The project is classified as a Chapter 8 Addition and Chapter 6 Alteration under Virginia Existing Building Code 2021 Edition. Delegated design items for fire suppression, fire alarm, bolted and welded connections, and hangers require designs by Virginia-licensed design professionals with sealed shop drawings. An asbestos inspection found no ACM; a lead inspection report is included in specifications.

Substantial Completion must occur within 150 consecutive calendar days from Notice to Proceed, with Final Completion within 30 days thereafter. Bids are lump sum for the Total Base Bid Amount with optional Additive Bid Items at the Owner's discretion. A 5% Bid Bond is required for bids exceeding $500,000, along with Standard Performance and Labor and Material Payment Bonds. Prevailing wage rates established by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry apply, ranging from $12.77 per hour for laborers to $51.39 per hour for elevator mechanics, plus fringe benefits. Contractors must be licensed as Class A or Class B Virginia Contractors depending on contract value and registered as eVA vendors. The optional pre-bid conference is June 17, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. EST at the project site.