Custodial operations and maintenance of rest areas

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), Division 14, is seeking a contractor for custodial operations and maintenance services at the Haywood County Rest Areas located on I-40 at Mile Marker 10 near the North Carolina/Tennessee stateline. The procurement involves comprehensive janitorial and grounds maintenance for an eastbound and westbound rest area pair, including service buildings, utility structures, vending facilities, water systems, and sewage systems. Contractors must provide a detailed operations plan covering personnel, materials, work experience references, insurance documentation, and criminal background checks for employees. The contract requires maintaining full staffing of one attendant per eight-hour shift (three shifts daily, seven days per week) from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, plus a full-time supervisor working a minimum of 40 hours weekly. Mandatory minimum wage rates are set at $15.34 per hour for attendants and $20.34 per hour for supervisors. The bid opening is scheduled for January 28, 2026, at 2:00 PM, with bid questions due by January 13, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Evaluation will be based on the lowest responsible bidder, with the Department reserving the right to reject any or all bids.

The contract will be available beginning April 1, 2026, with an initial one-year term and options for two additional one-year extensions, not to exceed three years total. A performance guarantee of five percent of the first year's monthly compensation will be withheld and refunded upon satisfactory contract completion. No specific Combined MBE/WBE (Minority/Women-owned Business Enterprise) goal is specified for this project. Contractors will be subject to compensation reductions for non-compliance with staffing, safety, supplies, repairs, and other contractual requirements, with potential daily compensation reductions up to 40 percent for service building deficiencies. Annual contract extensions include a two percent price increase of the current price and require proof of insurance 30 days prior to contract expiration. While no pre-bid conference will be held, bidders are encouraged to conduct independent site visits. The contractor must submit both a lump sum annual price and an alternate monthly price to accommodate potential budget restrictions. Although the specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the detailed requirements suggest a comprehensive and rigorous service contract with specific performance expectations.