GSC J-432-BID Campuswide HVAC and Electrical Systems Renewal

Gordon State College, located in Barnesville, Georgia and operated through the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, is procuring general contracting services for a Design-Bid-Build campuswide HVAC and electrical systems renewal project (GSC J-432) through a sealed competitive bidding process. The scope encompasses comprehensive demolition and replacement of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and electrical infrastructure across three major campus buildings: the Instructional Complex, Russell Hall, and the Student Center. Key deliverables include new variable air volume (VAV) units, air handling units (AHUs), cooling towers, three new condensing hot water boilers for system redundancy, chiller systems, and complete electrical system upgrades including new control panels, lighting fixtures with LED technology, wiring infrastructure, and building automation systems utilizing direct digital control (DDC) technology. The project requires integration with existing Johnson Controls systems and compliance with the 2023 National Electrical Code and Georgia State Minimum Standard codes. Qualified bidders must possess a Georgia General Contractor license, demonstrate financial responsibility with a current ratio of 1.0 or higher, maintain a Workers' Compensation Experience Modification Rate (EMR) not exceeding an average of 1.2 over three years, provide evidence of successful completion of prior public works projects, and ensure all surety and insurance companies are listed in the U.S. Department of Treasury's Circular 570 with an A.M. Best Financial Strength Rating of "A-" or better and Financial Size Category of Class V or larger. Bids must include a bid bond equal to not less than five percent of the bid amount, with performance and payment bonds each equal to 100 percent of the contract sum required prior to contract execution. A mandatory pre-bid conference was held on July 3, 2025, at 10:00 A.M., a second mandatory site visit occurred on July 22, 2025, from 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M., written questions were due by July 10, 2025, with formal responses posted by July 14, 2025, and sealed bids were due on August 14, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. Eastern Time in the Bid Room in Building #5 (Facilities), with public bid opening and announcement following immediately thereafter. The contract requires completion of preconstruction activities upon the effective date and physical work completion within 270 consecutive calendar days from issuance of a Proceed Order, with work to occur primarily during normal business hours (6:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday-Friday) while maintaining occupied building operations.

The procurement contains no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises or restrictions limiting bidder eligibility beyond standard contractor licensing and bonding requirements under Georgia law and Board of Regents regulations. Incumbent contractor information indicates that John F. Pennebaker Co., Inc. was selected as the low bidder and awarded the contract in the amount of $2,850,498.00, representing the base bid less deductive alternates 1 through 8, establishing the contract value for this project. The existing infrastructure requiring integration includes the current Johnson Controls building automation system, which will be replaced with one of four approved control vendors (Distech by Hoffman Building Technologies, Delta by CCI, KMC by ESS, or CMS controls), all integrating into a Niagara N4 front-end system, and existing electrical panels that are to remain and be reused for new work with no new panel installations anticipated. The bid includes six electrical lighting alternates (E1-E6) and two mechanical alternates (M1-M2), all structured as deductive options to be taken in numerical sequence if needed to remain within budget, allowing flexibility in project scope based on final funding availability. Contractors must comply with the Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act, the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, and certify non-debarment status, with the Owner reserving the right to reject all bids, waive technicalities, and negotiate with the lowest responsive and responsible bidder if all bids exceed the established budget.