Civic Auditorium - Handrail Project

The City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Department is soliciting bids for the Civic Auditorium - Handrail Project (Project No. c302422), a procurement focused on improving physical safety and patron experience at the Civic Auditorium. The project involves installing 88 stair-mounted steel handrails on twelve existing concrete staircases and two wall-mounted handrails on two wall-adjacent staircases. Bidders must possess a valid California Contractor's Class "B" - General Building Contractor license and comply with prevailing wage requirements from the Department of Industrial Relations. A mandatory pre-bid conference is scheduled for September 9, 2025, at 10:00 AM, with sealed bids due on October 1, 2025, at 2:00 PM Pacific Standard Time. The construction is tentatively scheduled for January 2026, with a projected completion timeline of 45 working days, though the schedule may be adjusted based on Civic Auditorium events. Evaluation will focus on the lowest responsible and responsive bidder, with the city reserving the right to reject any or all bids. Contractors must submit comprehensive documentation, including a bid bond of 10% of the bid amount, California Air Resources Board compliance certificates, and detailed project references.

The project is funded through the City of Santa Cruz Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and is subject to federal funding conditions, including Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968. There are specific participation goals for minority and women-owned businesses, with targets of 14.9% minority and 6.9% women participation. While Section 3 businesses are desirable, non-Section 3 businesses are not prohibited from responding to the Invitation to Bid. The project emphasizes federal labor standards requirements and encourages participation from businesses that provide economic opportunities to low- and very low-income persons, particularly those residing in the project area. The technical specifications indicate the work will be performed under a single prime contract, with the contractor responsible for coordinating with the City of Santa Cruz and maintaining ongoing auditorium operations during construction. While a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the comprehensive technical specifications and detailed architectural plans suggest a substantial infrastructure improvement project focused on accessibility and safety enhancements for the Civic Auditorium.