CDBG-DR HS004 New Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) Facility

Escambia County, Florida is soliciting lump-sum bids through Invitation to Bid CDBG-DR HS004 for construction of five structures at the New Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) Facility on Clarinda Lane in Pensacola, with a non-mandatory pre-bid meeting on October 29, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. and bids due November 23, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. The project is funded through HUD Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery and carries a Section 3 contracting preference: the grantee awards bids to contractors utilizing the highest number of qualified Section 3 subcontractors and workers if bids are reasonable and no more than 10 percent higher than the lowest responsive bid. The implementation plan targets 25 percent of total project hours worked by Section 3 workers and 5 percent by Targeted Section 3 workers.

The five structures are an Administration Building, Maintenance Building, Passenger Terminal Transfer Center, Bus Wash, and Fuel Station. Bidders may bid individual lots or the complete complex package. Scope spans architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, security, and technology systems. Substantial completion ranges from 180 to 335 consecutive calendar days from Notice to Proceed by lot, plus 30 days for final completion, excluding weather delays. Successful contractors must hold a current Florida General Contractor (CGC) or Underground Utility and Excavation Contractor (CUC) license, submit bonds, a Quality Control Plan, and insurance, including $2,000,000 combined general liability for general contractors and $1,000,000 for subcontractors. Davis-Bacon wage requirements apply to all work, including subcontractor work. The County plans to use Owner Direct Purchasing for clean fill, stormwater structures, concrete pipe, and PVC pipe items exceeding $15,000. Federal compliance includes suspension and debarment verification, domestic preference, recovered materials procurement, MBE/WBE affirmative steps, E-Verify, Title VI, and Endangered Species Act provisions for Eastern Indigo Snakes and Tricolored Bats. Liquidated damages follow the Florida Department of Transportation schedule, ranging from $1,318 per calendar day for contracts valued at $299,999 and under.

Pricing is a base bid with deductive alternates for phased Maintenance and Administration Building elements, unit prices for pavement and concrete repairs tied to compaction testing, and a $150,000 allowance for an exterior digital signage system. The apparent lowest responsive and responsible bidder must submit a detailed Schedule of Values within three business days of bid opening for Florida Department of Commerce review before award. Questions are due November 6, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. The solicitation was released October 23, 2026, with drawing sets and two project manual volumes attached.