Blackwater Falls Lodge Exterior Stairs Construction

The West Virginia Purchasing Division, acting on behalf of the Division of Natural Resources, is seeking a contractor for the Blackwater Falls Lodge Exterior Stairs Construction project located in Tucker County. The procurement is a construction services contract to replace and repair exterior stairs at Blackwater Falls State Park, with a comprehensive project spanning 365 calendar days. The solicitation includes a base bid for north stairs replacement and an additive alternate for south stairs repair, requiring detailed construction services that involve precast concrete stairs, stone masonry veneer, railings, and associated architectural elements. Bidders must meet specific qualifications, including maintaining $1,000,000 in commercial general liability insurance and $500,000 in automobile liability insurance, with builders risk insurance equal to 100% of the contract amount. The mandatory pre-bid meeting is scheduled for May 20, 2025, at 11 am at the Blackwater Falls State Park Lodge, and attendance is required for bid eligibility. Bid submissions are due by June 5, 2025, at 1:30 PM ET, with the contract to be awarded to the lowest qualified responsible bidder meeting all specifications. Liquidated damages are set at $250 per day beyond the contract completion date, with substantial completion required by 320 days and final completion by 365 days.

The solicitation includes local labor market hiring requirements mandating that at least 75% of employees be hired from the local labor market. Contractors must submit a drug-free workplace affidavit and possess a valid contractor's license. While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are explicitly mentioned, the procurement appears open to qualified construction contractors capable of meeting the technical and insurance requirements. The project drawings, prepared by Paradigm Architecture, indicate a comprehensive approach to stair replacement, including detailed specifications for structural modifications, handrails, guardrails, and painting requirements. Although a specific budget range is not disclosed in the documents, the project involves significant structural work, including new CMU support walls with stone veneer, concrete slab footings, and extensive architectural modifications. Periodic progress payments will be made, with the agency retaining 10% from each payment, suggesting a potentially substantial contract value commensurate with the complexity of the exterior stairs reconstruction project.