IFB 32A0693 Exhaust Evacuation System Replacement in Humboldt County

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 32 is soliciting bids through Invitation for Bid (IFB) 32A0693 for the removal and replacement of an Exhaust Evacuation System (EES) at its Equipment Shop 1 facility in Eureka, California, located in Humboldt County. The procurement requires the selected contractor to remove and legally dispose of the existing EES and furnish and install a comprehensive new system valued at a maximum of $461,000.00. The new system includes eight motorized hose reels with dampers, two motorized hose reels without dampers, ten wall or post mount switches, ten silicone nomex hoses (approximately 32 feet, 6 inches in diameter), ten rubber nozzles, four exhaust canes, one 5.5 horsepower fan motor, one inlet adapter, one pressure transducer, one variable frequency device, approximately 400 feet of metal ducting, and all associated installation materials; additionally, the contractor must cap off 23 existing floor vents and place stainless steel plates over them. The contractor must provide all labor, materials, tools, equipment, travel, supplies, parts, fees, permits, and incidentals necessary to complete the project within 60 business days of the Notice to Proceed, with an estimated commencement date of April 15, 2026 and contract expiration of April 14, 2027. Key deadlines include a mandatory site inspection on March 9, 2026 at 12:00 p.m., written questions due by March 10, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., and bid submission by March 19, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., with bid opening scheduled for 2:30 p.m. the same day, and an estimated award date of March 26, 2026. Qualified contractors must hold either a valid C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning Contractor license or a B General Building Contractor license with an appropriate C-20 subcontractor, maintain current Department of Industrial Relations registration, and provide proof of workers' compensation and employer's liability insurance with limits of $1,000,000.

This procurement includes mandatory compliance with California prevailing wage rates for Humboldt County and imposes a mandatory three percent (3%) Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation requirement, while encouraging contractors to meet a 25 percent Small Business (SB) participation goal. Bids must be structured to include separate line items for removal and disposal of the existing system, furnishing and installation of the new system, an hourly rate for unforeseen labor at $32 per hour, and reimbursement for pre-approved parts and materials not to exceed 10 percent of the actual subtotal. If the successful bidder's bid totals $25,000 or more, a Payment Bond for not less than 100 percent of the total contract amount is required prior to work commencement. The bid proposal shall not exceed $461,000.00, establishing the maximum award value for this project. The procurement is subject to all applicable federal, state, county, and local laws and building codes, and Addendum No. 1, issued on March 11, 2026, clarified procedural requirements and confirmed the availability of a prebid attendee sign-in sheet for prospective bidders.