FY 2018, PKAA, Echo Canyon Project

The Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety issued an Invitation for Bid for the FY 2018 Echo Canyon Project, a mine closure and environmental remediation initiative located near Twin Lakes in Lake County, Colorado. The project involves the safeguarding and closure of six adits and two shafts using multiple closure methods including corrugated steel pipes (CSP), grating, polyurethane foam, and hand backfilling, with bat gates incorporated into several closures to protect wildlife. Key deliverables include installation of a 36-inch CSP with bat gate at Feature 203, a grated adit closure with bat gate at Feature 205, a 48-inch CSP with bat gate and dual six-inch drain pipes at Feature 207, a 36-inch CSP with bat gate and drain pipe at Feature 208, polyurethane foam closure at Feature 214, a grated shaft closure at Feature 215, and a grated adit closure with bat gate at Feature 224, with Feature 217 consisting of hand backfill classified as non-guaranteed work. The project construction schedule runs from August 28, 2017, through September 29, 2017, with a completion timeline of thirty-three calendar days following the Notice to Proceed and including ten days of mobilization. A mandatory pre-bid meeting and site showing was held on June 27, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. in Twin Lakes, Colorado, with sealed bids due by July 11, 2017, at 4:00 p.m. and bid opening scheduled for July 12, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. Bidders were required to submit a bid schedule, a bid bond equal to at least five percent of the total bid price, and a list of equipment; if the bid exceeded $50,000, a performance and payment bond equal to 100 percent of the original contract price was mandatory. Contractors must possess commercial general liability insurance with $1,000,000 per occurrence limits, automobile liability insurance with $1,000,000 combined single limits, and worker's compensation insurance as required by state law, with the State of Colorado named as an additional insured on all liability policies. Award will be made to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder meeting all requirements and criteria, with evaluation consideration given to the lowest grand total price, equipment capabilities, and ability to meet performance time requirements, with liquidated damages assessed at $400 per day for delays beyond the completion deadline.

The bid documents do not explicitly reference set-asides for disadvantaged business enterprises or small business contractors, though such designations may apply under applicable state and local requirements. Four contractors attended the pre-bid meeting on June 27, 2017: Ken Houston Excavating & Welding (Cotopaxi, CO), Berry Trucking & Excavating (Littleton, CO), Dave's Enterprises, Inc. (Montezuma, CO), and McCollum Excavating (Nederland, CO), indicating active interest in the procurement. The project is funded by federal grant money through the U.S. Department of Interior, Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement under Title IV of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (Public Law 95-87, CFDA 15.252) and Lake County Orphaned Sites Mitigation (OSM) resources. Retainage will be withheld at ten percent for bids between $50,000 and $149,999.99, and five percent for bids of $150,000 or greater, until project completion and advertisement. No specific budget range or award value is disclosed in the procurement documents; however, the retainage structure and bonding requirements suggest anticipated contract values potentially exceeding $50,000.