Bids for Photovoltaic System

The Town of Cromwell, Connecticut, through Newfield Construction serving as Construction Manager, is soliciting sealed proposals for Bid Package 4.01: Photovoltaic System installation at Cromwell Middle School (State Project #033-0055-N) and Central Administration Offices (State Project #033-0056-BE), representing Phase 4 of a larger construction initiative. The scope encompasses the design, procurement, installation, and commissioning of a complete photovoltaic system consisting of four distinct arrays totaling approximately 399.75 kW DC capacity, utilizing REC Alpha 72 Series solar modules (450W rated), SolarEdge power optimizers, and four SolarEdge inverters (two SE110KUS units at 110 kW each and two SE80KUS units at 80 kW each), with all components meeting UL1741 standards and carrying 25-year warranties on modules and power optimizers. Bidders must be Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS) prequalified contractors with documented experience on at least three similar projects of equal or greater value within the past five years and maintain a worker's compensation Experience Modification Rate of 1.0 or less. Required qualifications include compliance with Connecticut prevailing wage requirements under Connecticut General Statutes Section 31-53, provision of OSHA 10-hour construction safety training certification for all on-site personnel, Professional Liability Insurance maintained for one year following substantial completion, and submission of certified weekly payrolls. A mandatory pre-bid meeting and site inspection is scheduled for 3:30 PM on March 25, 2026, at the school's main entrance; bidders may submit questions via email to Chris Archer at chrisarcher@newfieldconstruction.com until 2:00 PM on April 1, 2026, with responses provided in an addendum by 2:00 PM on April 8, 2026. Sealed proposals are due by 2:00 PM prevailing time on April 15, 2026, at Newfield Construction, 225 Newfield Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut 06106, with substantial completion required by August 28, 2026; a 10% bid bond or bid security is required at submission, with Performance and Payment Bonds for the full contract amount required prior to mobilization, and the contract will be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, who must execute the contract within ten calendar days of award notification.

The procurement contains no identified set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises or restrictions limiting eligible respondents; all vendors are eligible to submit proposals. No incumbent contractors or current system infrastructure is identified in the available solicitation documents. The project requires integration with existing building systems, including coordination with roofing (TPO system with manufacturer warranty compliance requirements), structural systems, MEP infrastructure managed by DeSimone Consulting Engineers, and IT systems for SolarEdge production reporting and monitoring capabilities. The system design incorporates advanced electrical infrastructure compliant with the 2022 Connecticut State Building Code, 2021 International Building Code, and 2020 NFPA 70 National Electrical Code, with pressure-sensitive molded walkway pads required beneath ballast racks to protect roofing warranty integrity. No estimated contract value or budget range is provided in the solicitation documents. Bidders must account for all overtime costs, Saturday work, and off-hours coordination expenses in their base bids to accommodate the occupied building environment during the 2025-2026 school year; no bid withdrawals are permitted for ninety days after bid opening, and alternate bids remain available for one hundred twenty days unless otherwise noted.