Forest Hill Nature Center - New Building

Ingham County, Michigan, procuring on behalf of 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 11297 North Rich Road, Alma, Michigan. This is a comprehensive construction procurement encompassing architectural design services, structural construction, mechanical/plumbing/HVAC systems, electrical systems, civil/site infrastructure, and fire alarm systems for a new one-story facility estimated at 12,000 to 14,200 square feet with conventional wood-framed construction, wood trusses, metal roofing, composite siding, and propane-based mechanical systems including heat pumps, cooling tower, in-floor heating, snow melt system, septic system, and backup generator. Bidders may submit proposals for Phase 1 only (new nature center construction and demolition of two existing structures), Phase 2 only (additional classrooms and hallway space), or a combined Phase 1 & Phase 2 contract, with three alternates available including asphalt shingles, a geothermal system design-build option, and a new well installation. The mandatory pre-bid meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 10:00 AM EDT at the Forest Hills Nature Center site, and sealed proposals are due Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 2:00 PM EDT to the Gratiot-Isabella RESD, 1131 E. Center Street, Ithaca, Michigan 48847. Bidders must submit proposals in triplicate with bid security equal to five percent of the basic proposal amount as a certified check or bid bond, acknowledge receipt of all addenda on the proposal form, and list all proposed subcontractors for excavation, building structures, concrete, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and fire alarm trades. Written clarification requests must be submitted at least seven business days prior to the bid opening date, and any contract award exceeding $50,000 will require 100 percent performance and payment bonds per Michigan Public Act 1963, No. 213.

The procurement documents do not identify specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises or restrictions limiting participation to particular types of organizations; however, all contractors and subcontractors must be properly licensed as required by Michigan law, and the Owner reserves the right to reject any or all bids and approve all subcontractors. Bidders must comply with the Michigan Building Code 2021, Michigan Mechanical Code, Michigan Plumbing Code, Michigan Electrical Code, and Michigan Energy Code based on ASHRAE 90.1 2019 standards, and all work must adhere to ADA accessibility guidelines and local, state, and federal regulations. The project architect is Roger L. Donaldson, AIA P.L.C., with supporting engineers including Matrix Consulting Engineers (mechanical) and KEBS, Inc. (civil); bidders must coordinate with these design professionals and reference all design documentation in their proposals. No specific budget or award value is disclosed in the solicitation documents; however, the scope details indicate a substantial construction project with multiple systems and trades requiring integrated coordination and phased delivery. Contractors must assume full site control and coordination responsibility with all coordination costs included in the base bid, provide daily debris removal and dust minimization, allow 24-hour site access, and complete construction within a stipulated number of calendar days specified in the bid proposal, with a 5 percent markup permitted for both force account work and subcontracted change orders.