Douglass Center Gymnasium Renovations

Sumter County, Florida is seeking sealed bids for the Douglass Center Gymnasium Renovations (Bid Number 2026-01), a comprehensive renovation project of the existing 15,325 square-foot facility located at 969 Douglas Street SW. The procurement encompasses selective demolition, new architectural finishes, classroom improvements, accessibility enhancements to meet Florida Building Code 2023 standards, and replacement or modernization of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems, including installation of new HVAC units, updated lighting and power distribution, emergency lighting, and fire alarm devices. The project scope includes structural classroom upgrades, new roof framing, and site improvements such as a new fenced mechanical yard. Bidders must submit sealed proposals through the Euna Procurement platform or at the Clerk of Court Cashier Window, with bids due by 4:00 p.m. on November 10th, 2025, and bid opening scheduled for 4:05 p.m. that same day at the Suwannee County Administration Conference Room, 224 Pine Ave SW, Live Oak, Florida. A mandatory pre-bid meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 28th, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Douglass Gymnasium. The contract duration is 300 days from the Notice to Proceed, with substantial construction required to commence within 30 calendar days, and liquidated damages set at $2,500 per day for non-compliance. Evaluation criteria include submission of a 5% bid guarantee (Bid Bond or certified cashier's check), proof of insurance of at least one million dollars, completion of all required compliance forms including anti-collusion statements, conflict of interest disclosures, and debarment certifications, submission of three references for similar commercial projects completed within the last five years, and acknowledgment of the project's time allocation requirements.

The procurement documents do not explicitly identify any set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprise participation, though bidders must comply with standard federal and state requirements including E-Verify employment eligibility verification. Successful contractors will be required to furnish a Public Construction Bond for 100% of the Contract Price and must comply with EJCDC C-700 Standard General Conditions of the Construction Contract as established by the National Society of Professional Engineers, American Council of Engineering Companies, and American Society of Civil Engineers. The project will be designed and overseen by BFB&S Architects, Kever McKee Engineering, Tomahawk Engineering & Consulting, and Dewberry. No existing incumbent vendors or specific infrastructure integration requirements are identified in the solicitation documents. The county reserves the right to reject any and all bids and negotiate with subsequent bidders if an agreement cannot be reached with the lowest responsible bidder. Specific budget information and award values are not disclosed in the available solicitation documents, though the comprehensive scope involving HVAC system replacements, electrical upgrades, fire protection improvements, structural modifications, and extensive architectural updates suggests a substantial capital improvement investment.