IFB #26-0048 Sophia Street and Lewis Street Drainage Project

The City of Fredericksburg, Virginia is conducting an Invitation for Bids (IFB #26-0048) for the Sophia Street and Lewis Street Drainage Project, a storm drainage infrastructure improvement initiative located at the intersection of Lewis Street and Sophia Street. The project scope encompasses the removal of failed and undersized storm sewer infrastructure and its replacement with upgraded drainage facilities to improve system capacity, reliability, and long-term performance. Specific deliverables include the removal of an existing 8-inch storm sewer pipe, two existing 12-inch storm sewer pipes, one existing drop inlet, and one existing manhole, with replacement of these structures by new 24-inch and 30-inch storm sewer pipes, respectively, along with new drainage structures. Additional work includes pavement milling, road reconstruction, full-depth patching, asphalt concrete resurfacing, curb and gutter replacement, sidewalk restoration, erosion and sediment control measures, and traffic control implementation. Qualified bidders must hold a valid Virginia contractor license with Class A certification, be registered to do business in Fredericksburg, and submit a lump-sum price bid with supporting documentation including statements of experience, corporate status forms, vendor data sheets, and E-Verify compliance information. An optional pre-bid conference was held on May 19, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. via Microsoft Teams, with written clarification requests due by May 25, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. EST. Sealed bids were due on June 10, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. EST at the City Manager's Office, with public opening and reading scheduled for 2:05 p.m. the same day. The contract term runs from July 1, 2026 through December 1, 2026, with a required completion time of 120 calendar days after the Notice to Proceed.

No specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises or minority-owned businesses are mentioned in the procurement documents. All bidders must submit a bid bond or certified check equal to five percent of the total base bid, and the successful bidder must provide performance and labor/material payment bonds in the amount of 100 percent of the bid price within ten days of award notification. Subcontractors representing 25 percent or more of contract value must be identified at bid submission. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the solicitation materials. The City reserves the right to negotiate with the apparent low bidder if the bid exceeds available funds through reductions in scope, changes in quality, value engineering, or schedule modifications. Progress payments are made monthly at 95 percent of certified amounts, with five percent retainage held until project completion, and liquidated damages are assessed for failure to meet milestone and completion dates. The specific award value or budget range is not disclosed in the available documentation; however, the requirement for Class A contractor licensing and the project scope suggest a substantial contract value.