Christopher Newport University, Replace Forbes Hall Fume Hoods and Pressurization Valves & Control, IFB 242-18755-000, 1268/70586

Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia is issuing an Invitation for Bids (IFB 242-18755-000) for the replacement of integrated science center fume hoods and pressurization valves and controls in Mary Brock Forbes Hall. The scope of work includes the disconnection and removal of existing air valves, installation of new variable and general exhaust valves (VSV, VEV, GXV, HXV, and WXV units), reconnection of hot water supply and return piping to reheat coils, fume hood sash retrofit, and complete balancing and commissioning of all replaced equipment across three floors of the approximately 196,867 square foot building. Bidders must attend a mandatory pre-bid conference and site visit on April 21, 2026 at 9:00 AM in the lobby of Forbes Hall, with sealed bids due at 2:00 PM on May 11, 2026 and public opening scheduled for May 12, 2026. All pre-bid questions must be submitted by noon on April 30, 2026 to Denise Patesel at denise.patesel@cnu.edu. The project timeline requires commencement on May 18, 2026, with Substantial Completion by January 8, 2027 (235 calendar days) and Final Completion by February 8, 2027, with work phased to accommodate the academic calendar by restricting during-school-year work to 5:00 PM to 5:00 AM on weekdays and allowing 24-hour work on weekends. Bidders must be registered vendors in eVA and comply with Virginia contractor licensing requirements, with Class A licensing required if the contract exceeds $120,000, and must demonstrate compliance with Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, Virginia Construction Code 2021, and ASHRAE 90.1-2019 standards.

The contract is awarded on a lump sum basis and requires a bid bond equal to five percent of the bid amount for bids exceeding $500,000, with Performance and Labor and Material Payment Bonds also required for contracts exceeding $500,000. A designated subcontractor, Nycom, Inc., must be selected by the apparent low bidder for fume hood sash retrofit work at a fixed subcontract price of $305,923.00, which must be included in the Total Base Bid Amount. The Commonwealth of Virginia's eVA system governs vendor registration and procurement procedures, and Executive Order 35 (dated July 3, 2019) regarding advanced procurement standards applies to all executive branch agencies. The Contractor must maintain workers' compensation insurance, comprehensive general liability insurance with limits of $2,000,000 per occurrence, and builder's risk insurance covering the full value of the contract price; prevailing wage requirements apply if the contract price exceeds $250,000. The University reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to negotiate the Total Base Bid amount with the apparent low bidder if funds are limited. While specific contract value ranges are not disclosed in the procurement documents, the mandatory inclusion of a $305,923.00 subcontractor cost and the requirement for bonds and insurance on contracts exceeding $500,000 suggests the total contract value is anticipated to exceed $500,000.