Aquatic Education Building Renovation

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, specifically the Division of Wildlife - District 3, is seeking a contractor for the Aquatic Education Center renovation project located at 912 Portage Lakes Dr. in Akron, Ohio. The procurement involves four primary scopes of work: installing approximately 1,500 sq-ft of nature stone flooring across two large rooms, two bathrooms, and an entryway; removing brick veneer and performing minor rough framing and drywall installation; painting two interior rooms with Sherwin-Williams satin interior paint; and installing 204 linear feet of 4-inch thermoplastic rubber wall base molding. A mandatory site visit is required prior to bidding, with work to be completed by November 30, 2025, and site access restricted to Monday through Friday, 8 AM - 4:30 PM, excluding holidays. The contract will be awarded through Ohio Buys to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, with the total bid determined by multiplying unit costs by estimated usage. Evaluation criteria emphasize responsiveness, responsibility, and total cost, with potential disqualification for incomplete bid submissions. The proposal is due by August 12, 2025, with the opportunity originally posted on July 15, 2025.

The procurement appears to encourage participation from diverse businesses, with specific provisions for Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) and Executive Diversity, Growth and Equity (EDGE) vendors. Subcontractors are permitted for this project, and contractors must comply with various state requirements, including maintaining a drug-free workplace and affirming no boycotts of jurisdictions with which Ohio maintains open trade. The contract includes specific invoicing requirements, mandating that invoices be printed with "N22" and submitted directly to Financial Shared Services with detailed documentation. Contractors must also complete an Affirmation and Disclosure Form, which requires transparency about service and data location, with potential contract termination if offshore services are utilized without a signed waiver. While a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the comprehensive documentation suggests a structured procurement process with careful vendor vetting. Additional compliance requirements include completing an Ohio Public Employees Retirement System Independent Contractor Form and adhering to the state's standard terms and conditions, which include provisions for confidentiality, public records management, and intellectual property ownership.