Demolition and installation Freezer

Dowagiac Union Schools issued a sealed bid procurement for the demolition and installation of a new freezer facility at Dowagiac Middle School in Calhoun County, Michigan. The project encompasses two separate bid categories: Bid Category No. 1 for Food Service Equipment and Bid Category No. 2 for All Trades work (General, Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical, Technology, Fire Alarm, and Fire Suppression). The scope of work includes complete demolition of the existing kitchen food storage room and installation of a new walk-in Kolpak freezer unit along with associated equipment, including nine mobile shelf units and high-density shelf systems. Sealed bids were due on February 15, 2018, at 2:00 PM at the Office of the Superintendent, 243 S. Front Street, Dowagiac, Michigan, with a pre-bid meeting held on February 7, 2018, at 3:30 PM at Dowagiac Middle School, 57072 Riverside Drive. One prime contract was to be awarded for each bid package, with the General Contractor responsible for management and coordination of all work. Contractors were required to maintain a dust-free enclosure separating the work area from the operational kitchen, commence work within 10 days of written notice to proceed, and complete all work by April 15, 2018. Contract documents and specifications were available for review at Seven Generations A&E LLC in Kalamazoo, the Dowagiac Maintenance Department, MAICAF in South Bend, and the Kalamazoo Builders Exchange.

This procurement is designated as a prevailing wage project subject to Michigan's Public Act 166 of 1965, with mandatory minimum wage rates established by the State of Michigan's Wage and Hour Division for all applicable construction trades and labor classifications. All contractors and subcontractors are required to post prevailing wage schedules conspicuously on the construction site and maintain accurate wage and benefit records for state inspection; violation of prevailing wage requirements may result in contract termination and referral to prosecuting authorities. Bid security equal to five percent of the bid amount was required with each submission, and successful bidders were required to furnish Performance and Payment Bonds for 100 percent of the contract amount prior to contract execution. The school district reserved the right to accept or reject any bid and waive any irregularities in bidding, with all bids held for a period not to exceed 45 days before contract award. No specific incumbent vendors or budget range was identified in the procurement documents; however, the project involved the installation of specialized food service equipment including a Kolpak walk-in freezer unit and Metro mobile shelving systems that were specified as deliverables.