Bird Flight Cage Pools - Construction Project

Volusia County, Florida, through its Environmental Management Division, is soliciting competitive sealed bids via Invitation for Bid (ITB No. 26-B-54LL, Contract No. C-2072) for the removal of two existing in-ground bird pools and the design, construction, and installation of two new concrete in-ground bird pools at the Marine Science Center Bird Hospital located at 4965 South Peninsula Drive, Ponce Inlet, Florida. The project deliverables include removal of one small and one large rectangular pool, followed by construction of a small rectangular saltwater/chlorinated concrete pool with one surface skimmer box, drain, two floor drains, two return lines, and one fill line, and a large rectangular concrete pool with two surface skimmer boxes and drains, three floor drains, four return lines, and one fill line; both pools must feature durable concrete coating and beach-like entrances with specific slope configurations and shallow bay areas. The design phase must be completed within 30 days, with construction and installation completed within 60 days, for a total project duration of 90 days. Qualified bidders must possess a valid Florida General Contractor's license, demonstrate experience with at least three similar in-ground saltwater concrete pool projects completed for agencies other than Volusia County, provide proof of insurance, and submit a completed W-9 form and Prime/Sub Form identifying all proposed subcontractors. Key deadlines include a non-mandatory pre-bid meeting on March 12, 2026, at 11:00 am at the project site, a question submission deadline of March 26, 2026, at 11:59 pm, and bid submission by April 9, 2026, at 3:00 pm via the County's eProcurement Portal, with bid opening occurring on April 9, 2026, at 3:00 pm via Microsoft Teams. Bids must remain firm for 120 days after bid opening, and a bid bond of not less than 5 percent of the bid amount is required.

Volusia County has adopted a local bid preference policy offering three percent preference to bidders with a permanent location in Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Brevard, or Volusia County for at least six months prior to bid closing, with an additional two percent preference (not to exceed five percent total) if subcontractors qualifying as local businesses constitute 51 percent or greater of subcontracted work. All contractors must comply with E-Verify requirements, register with Volusia County if not already registered, and submit mandatory certifications addressing debarment, local business status, scrutinized company compliance, drug-free workplace status, human trafficking attestation, and trench safety act compliance. Contractors must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage throughout the project, including Workers' Compensation with Florida statutory coverage and waiver of subrogation, Commercial General Liability with limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 general aggregate, Auto Liability with combined single limits of $1,000,000, Installation Floater covering full replacement cost including wind, hail, and named storm coverage, and Professional Liability of $300,000; all insurance policies must be issued by insurers rated A- or better by A.M. Best & Company with Financial category size VIII or greater, and Volusia County must be named as an additional insured with primary and non-contributory coverage. The estimated construction cost for the project is $50,000.00, with the award value to be established upon bid opening and evaluation based on total bid price or a combination of total bid price and alternate bid price. Payment and Performance Bonds may be waived at the County's discretion for contracts of $200,000.00 or less, which applies to this project, and the County retains 5 percent of each monthly payment as retainage until final payment. Liquidated damages are assessed at $100.00 per day for delays beyond the completion date, and work must be coordinated to minimize interference with the Marine Science Center's normal operations, accommodating public facility hours of Sunday 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm, closed Mondays, and Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.