Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office FEMA Safe Room Hurricane plus Tornado

Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office is requesting bids for construction of a FEMA-funded hurricane and tornado safe room facility under an IFB, with sealed bids due September 24, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Central Time and a mandatory pre-bid conference on September 1, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. Central Time. A Louisiana residency requirement — not less than 80 percent of project employees must be Louisiana residents, with an additional request for 80 percent to be Calcasieu Parish residents — filters eligibility.

The scope is a new approximately 22,000 square foot concrete dome structure rated for hurricane and tornado resistance up to 250 mph, including a Sheriff's Department substation, restrooms, kitchen, offices, sleeping quarters, and assembly areas for storm shelter. The building includes complete fire suppression systems, climate control, access control, and security camera systems. Associated work covers canopies, sidewalks, parking areas, exterior signage, flag poles, bollards, an emergency generator, and fencing and gates.

Bidders must hold a Louisiana state license for Building Construction under Louisiana Revised Statutes 37:2150-2163. Bid security equal to five percent of the base bid and all alternates is required, and the successful bidder must furnish a Performance and Payment Bond equal to 100 percent of the contract amount. The project is FEMA-funded through the 2021 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which exempts the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office from Louisiana's 45-day post-bid award hold period, allowing the office to hold bids for greater than 45 calendar days.

Contractors must comply with state residency certification and electrical subcontractor certification requirements, and provide monthly compliance documentation. Contract documents are available from VSG Architects, APALLC (1502 South Huntington Street, Sulphur, Louisiana) and electronically through bidnetdirect.com/louisiana/calcasieuparishsheriffsoffice at no cost.