Caboose Protective Cover Structure

Nelson County, Virginia is soliciting sealed bids for the construction of an open-air protective cover structure over the historic Piney River Caboose at 3124 Patrick Henry Highway, Piney River, with an optional pre-bid conference and site visit on November 2, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. and bids due November 10, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. The listing's jurisdiction field reads New Kent County (FIPS 51127), while the Invitation for Sealed Bids and project address identify Nelson County as the issuer. Bidders must hold a Virginia contractor license under Title 54.1, Chapter 11 of the Code of Virginia and submit a Nelson County Business License. No set-aside or preference program is identified.

The project covers furnishing and constructing a 50-foot by 26-foot pavilion-style roof structure supported by eight HSS 6x6 columns, with pre-engineered wood roof trusses at 24 inches on center and a concrete pier and footing foundation. The design must meet the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (2021), ACI 318-19, and AISC specifications, with a 30 PSF roof snow load and 115 MPH basic wind speed. Concrete must reach 3,000 PSI with a maximum 5-inch slump. Shop drawings for wood trusses, joists, and reinforcing steel require county review before fabrication. The contractor may not attach any part of the structure to the caboose, drill, cut, weld, or modify it, or use it for structural support. Bidders must provide evidence of similar project experience through a Bidder's Qualification Statement, and no subcontracting is permitted without written county consent.

The award will be made on a lump-sum base bid to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, with a scheduled award on November 13, 2026. Bids require a certified check, cash, or acceptable bid bond equal to 5 percent of the base bid. The awardee must furnish performance and labor/material payment bonds equal to 100 percent of the awarded amount. Construction must be complete by December 31, 2026. Questions are due in writing by November 3, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.