DFCM Construction - VBS Consultant Services - Special Inspections and Testing Services - DNR/DWR - Loa Fish Hatcher - 24204520

The State of Utah Division of Facilities Construction and Management (DFCM) is soliciting proposals through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process for Special Inspections and Testing Services for the final phase of the comprehensive Loa Fish Hatchery replacement project operated by the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife Resources in Fremont, Utah. The scope of work encompasses on-site and off-site infrastructure, a disinfection shed, hatchery building, office and shop building, feed storage and fleet garage building, feed system, raceway building, concrete raceways, dewatering building, storage tank, paving, septic systems, and fencing, with construction anticipated to begin December 5, 2025, and conclude December 3, 2027. All special inspectors, contractors, and material testing laboratories must be pre-qualified and listed on the DFCM Approved Special Inspection Firms, Material Testing Labs, & Special Inspectors list prior to contract award. Proposals are evaluated on a value-based selection approach with point-weighted criteria including Statement of Qualifications (30 points), Management Plan (25 points), Team's Distance to Project Site (25 points), and Past Performance References (20 points); bidders must submit a signed DFCM Termination or Debarment Certification Form and provide a minimum of five similar projects completed within the past five years. Proposals are limited to 8 pages total (excluding required forms), must be submitted in PDF format through the U3P portal by Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 12:00 PM, with a questions deadline of Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 3:00 PM and addendum deadline of Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 3:00 PM; the Selection Committee will meet virtually on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 10:00 AM, with contractor award announcement on Friday, March 6, 2026, at 5:00 PM. No mandatory bidders meeting will be held, and the project team includes Architect Sunrise Engineering, LLC, and Contractor Phaze Concrete, Inc.

There are no stated set-aside designations or restrictions limiting the types of organizations that can respond to this solicitation; however, all respondents must demonstrate compliance with state debarment and termination certification requirements and maintain qualified health insurance coverage as specified in the DFCM Health Insurance Statement of Compliance Form if the contract value meets the established threshold of $2,000,000 or more for prime contractors and design professionals, or $1,000,000 or more for subcontractors. The estimated inspections budget for Special Inspection and Testing Services is $280,000.00, and the project involves significant risk factors including the remote site location, biosecurity requirements, high-profile scrutiny from DFCM and DWR, and strict professional conduct expectations with zero tolerance for repeat complaints. Successful contractors must comply with Utah building codes, OSHA standards, and applicable industry standards including ASTM, AASHTO, and AWWA specifications, and maintain detailed documentation of all testing results throughout the project phases. The geotechnical investigation report and approved specifications provide the technical foundation for the work, with comprehensive testing and quality control requirements throughout all construction phases including soil compaction, concrete testing, asphalt mix design verification, piping deflection testing, and equipment performance validation.