Conner Complex Exterior Site Lighting Improvements FDACS Project No. 1159

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is soliciting sealed bids through an Invitation to Bid (ITB DOA 25 26 74) for parking lot and site lighting improvements at the Conner Laboratory Complex Administration Building located at 3125 Conner Boulevard in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. The project scope encompasses the complete demolition of existing lighting infrastructure and installation of a new electrical distribution system featuring LED lighting fixtures, 25-foot steel poles, underground conduit systems, pull boxes, branch circuits, and associated raceways in compliance with the 2020 National Electrical Code and 2023 Florida Building Code (8th Edition). Deliverables include furnishing all labor, materials, equipment, and incidentals necessary for system installation, obtaining all building permits and utility connection permits, code inspections, and providing a one-year written warranty covering all parts and labor effective from substantial completion. Bidders must possess an active Electrical Contractor's license pursuant to Florida Statute Chapter 489 and are responsible for all permitting fees and associated impact charges. The contract is structured as a fixed-price agreement with a total project duration of 120 calendar days (90 days to substantial completion and 30 days for project closeout) and includes liquidated damages of $250 per calendar day for failure to meet completion deadlines. Key timeline milestones include a non-mandatory pre-bid conference and site visit on March 17, 2026 at 2:00 PM, written questions due by March 23, 2026 with responses posted by March 26, 2026, sealed bid submission deadline of March 31, 2026 at 5:00 PM to the FDACS Mayo Building, and public bid opening on April 1, 2026 at 10:00 AM via teleconference. Award will be made to the responsive and responsible bidder submitting the lowest total price, with the anticipated award posting date to be determined and posted on the Vendor Information Portal.

The procurement documents do not identify specific set-aside designations or restrictions limiting bidder eligibility to particular categories of organizations, disadvantaged enterprises, or minority-owned businesses. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are listed in the solicitation materials. Bidders must register in the MyFloridaMarketplace system and submit a Substitute W-9 Form to the Department of Financial Services as required administrative procedures. The contractor shall provide comprehensive insurance coverage including general liability, auto liability, builder's risk, and owner's protective liability with the State of Florida named as an additional insured, and must comply with criminal background check requirements and E-Verify authorization. If the bid price reaches $100,000 or greater, a five percent bid bond guarantee and a performance bond equal to 100 percent of the quoted price are required, with surety companies meeting Florida Department of Financial Services standards and Best's Key Rating Guide requirements. The project budget or estimated cost range is not explicitly stated in the solicitation documents, and five percent retainage will be held on all payments until final completion and acceptance of occupancy by the Owner.