Forest Hill Nature Center - New Building

The Gratiot-Isabella Regional Educational Service District (RESD) is soliciting sealed bids for the design and construction of a new Forest Hills Nature Center building located at 1297 N Rich Road, Alma, Michigan, in Seville Township, Gratiot County. This procurement encompasses the complete design and construction of approximately 12,000 to 14,200 square feet of single-story educational nature center facility featuring wood-framed construction with wood trusses, metal roofing, and composite siding, along with comprehensive mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and civil infrastructure systems. The scope of work includes mechanical systems utilizing propane fuel, heat pumps, cooling towers, and in-floor heating with snow melt capability; plumbing systems with on-site septic and drainage infrastructure; electrical systems including lighting, power distribution, backup generator, and fire alarm systems; demolition of two existing structures; site grading and improvements on a 90-acre parcel; and landscaping. Deliverables include complete architectural design documents, schematic designs, design development plans, construction documents, site plans, utility layouts, and all detailed specifications necessary for construction. Required qualifications include professional architectural and engineering licensure, demonstrated experience with similar nature center or public facility projects, qualified design teams, and the capacity to coordinate with local authorities and environmental considerations. Evaluation criteria focus on firm qualifications, design approach, project management methodology, cost proposals, and technical merit. The mandatory pre-bid meeting is scheduled for May 6, 2026, at 10:00 AM EDT at the project site, with sealed proposals due on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 2:00 PM EDT at the Gratiot-Isabella RESD office located at 1131 E. Center Street, Ithaca, Michigan 48847. The project is anticipated to begin in August 2026 and require 12 to 18 months for completion depending on product delivery schedules.

The procurement does not include prevailing wage requirements and is not subject to Buy America provisions, with no identified set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises or minority-owned businesses specified in the solicitation documents. The project architect is identified as Roger L. Donaldson, AIA P.L.C., and the engineers are Matrix Consulting Engineers, Inc. (mechanical and plumbing) and KEBS, Inc. (civil engineer), requiring selected contractors to integrate with their existing designs and specifications. The proposal requires a five percent (5%) proposal guarantee in the form of a certified check or bid bond from an approved surety company valid for ninety days, with successful bidders required to furnish performance and labor/material payment bonds each in the amount of one hundred percent (100%) of the contract value pursuant to Michigan Public Act 1963, No. 213. Two base alternates are included for bidding: Alternate #1 for asphalt shingles in place of standing seam metal roofing, and Alternate #2 for a design-build geothermal system to replace the propane and cooling tower system, with Addendum No. 1 adding Alternate #3 for well installation and associated water system components. The contract will be executed on AIA Document A101-2017 with monthly progress payments at ninety percent (90%) of work completed, with ten percent (10%) retainage, and final payment upon substantial completion. The exact total project budget or award value is not explicitly stated in the solicitation documents; however, the scope and complexity of the project, including all mechanical, electrical, plumbing, civil, and site work, indicates a substantial capital project funded by the Gratiot-Isabella RESD.