Accessibility Improvements, Lake of Three Fires, Taylor County

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is issuing a competitive quotation bid for minor public improvements at Lake of Three Fires State Park in Taylor County. This procurement seeks qualified contractors to construct ADA-compliant Portland cement concrete (PCC) sidewalks and parking infrastructure at the park located at 2303 Lake Rd, Bedford, IA 50833. The scope of work encompasses eleven line items including excavation, backfill, topsoil work, 202 square yards of reinforced PCC sidewalk (5 inches thick), 36 square yards of reinforced PCC parking stalls (6 inches thick), construction survey, ADA striping and van parking signage, mobilization, mulching, seeding and fertilizing, and sediment control devices. Key objectives include achieving ADA compliance with maximum 5% running slope and 2% cross slope for sidewalks, installing one 11-foot ADA van accessible parking stall with proper signage, and completing all work by October 30, 2026. Bidders must submit electronic proposals by 3:00 PM on May 28, 2026, and are strongly encouraged to conduct site visits and inspect actual conditions prior to bidding to verify all dimensions and conditions. Required qualifications include maintaining an Iowa Contractor Registration Number, obtaining a NPDES Stormwater Discharge Permit (DNR General Permit No. 2) prior to commencing work, providing a performance bond equal to 100% of contract price for contracts exceeding $25,000, and maintaining public liability insurance with minimum coverage of $250,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence. All work must comply with Iowa Department of Transportation Standard Specifications for Highway and Bridge Construction (Series 2023), equal employment opportunity provisions, occupational health and safety regulations, and applicable ADA standards and local codes, with liquidated damages assessed at $1,000 per calendar day for work extending beyond the completion date.

The procurement documents do not specify any set-aside designations or restrictions limiting bidder eligibility to disadvantaged enterprises or particular organization types. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the available documentation. Contractors are responsible for identifying and avoiding damage to existing utilities, protecting trees and desirable vegetation, and providing their own waste disposal areas for excess excavated material and broken concrete, indicating integration with existing park infrastructure. Work cannot commence until September 14, 2026, allowing adequate time for contractor mobilization and preparation. The specific contract award value or budget range is not disclosed in the available bid package documentation; however, bidders are required to provide unit prices for each of the eleven line items with final payment calculated based on actual quantities incorporated into the work. Proposals remain valid for 45 days from the submission deadline, and the Department reserves the unconditional right not to award the contract and may terminate it for cause, lack of funds, or changes in law with 30 days' written notice. For bid package documentation and inquiries, interested parties should contact Zach Gunsolley, P.E., Southwest Iowa District Engineer, at 515-250-3713 or zach.gunsolley@dnr.iowa.gov.