Construction Inspection & Management Services

The City of Allentown is soliciting proposals under RFP 2026-49 for construction management, inspection, and documentation services on its School Zone Improvement Project and 10th & Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Pedestrian Improvement Project, with proposals due July 6, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. and questions due June 22, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. Two participation filters apply. The City requires Minority Business Enterprise and Women Business Enterprise participation at established minimum levels of 5% MBE and 3% WBE, and it awards a 10-point preference to Identified Business Enterprises, defined as small, small diverse, or veteran-owned businesses properly licensed to do business in Allentown and compliant with city ordinances.

Bids exceeding $40,000 must include the completed MBE/WBE form, and omitting it results in rejection as non-responsive. Bidders must contact MBE and WBE firms at least ten days before the bid opening and submit copies of all quotes received. A shortfall against the MBE/WBE levels requires a documented explanation of solicitation efforts rather than automatic disqualification.

The scope covers construction administration, daily on-site inspection, material certification review, daily inspection reports, progress meeting attendance, and documentation of unforeseen conditions across 26 school zone locations and the intersection of S 10th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. The projects are funded through the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Grant Program and the Carbon Reduction Program. The City requires one full-time Transportation Construction Inspector and one part-time Transportation Construction Manager or Supervisor, all holding required PennDOT certifications. The anticipated construction notice to proceed is March 2027, with a 52- to 66-week duration.

Pricing must be a not-to-exceed proposal with labor-hour breakdowns and billing rates for each staff member, itemized expenses, and costs by task. The contract term is three years from full execution, with options to extend for up to two additional one-year terms. Required insurance includes comprehensive general liability of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate, professional liability of $1 million, and umbrella coverage of $2 million. Liquidated damages are $200 per calendar day. The selected contractor has 90 days from award to execute the contract or forfeit the award.

Evaluation allocates 30 points to cost, 20 to project understanding and approach, 20 to experience and qualifications, 20 to timeline, 10 to references, and 10 to IBE preference. Technical proposals are reviewed July 13, 2026, cost proposals July 20, 2026, and a City Council presentation is scheduled for August 5, 2026. Solicitation documents require PennBid registration, and submissions must include a scanned bid bond.