IFB Exhaust Evacuation System Replacement in Fresno County

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for the removal and replacement of an Exhaust Evacuation System (EES) at Caltrans District 32 Equipment Shop 6 located in Fresno County, California. The procurement requires the contractor to furnish all labor, materials, tools, equipment, travel, supplies, parts, fees, permits, and incidentals necessary to remove and legally dispose of the existing EES and install a new system. The new EES must include five manual hose reels with silicone-nomex hoses rated to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, one 5.5 horsepower fan motor with 490-3,535 CFM capacity, one control box, approximately 300 feet of metal ducting, and associated hardware. Contractors must possess either a valid California Contractors State Licensing Board C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning Contractor license or a B General Building Contractor license with a qualified C-20 subcontractor, and must maintain current Department of Industrial Relations registration. The mandatory site inspection is scheduled for March 4, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., with written questions due by 1:00 p.m. on March 5, 2026. Bids are due by 2:00 p.m. on March 12, 2026, with bid opening at 2:30 p.m. the same day. The agreement is estimated to commence April 1, 2026, and expire March 31, 2027, with work to be completed within 60 business days during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Insurance requirements include commercial general liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, automobile liability of $1,000,000 combined single limit, and workers' compensation coverage with employer's liability limits of $1,000,000.

This procurement includes several set-aside designations and requirements. A five percent Small Business preference is available for certified small businesses, micro businesses, or small businesses for the purpose of public works, with a minimum 25 percent subcontracting commitment to certified small businesses required for non-certified small business bidders to claim the preference. A mandatory three percent Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation requirement applies, with an incentive program offering up to five percent additional consideration for bids exceeding the three percent threshold. State General Prevailing Wage Rates apply to this public works contract, with prevailing wage language remaining in effect if the bid exceeds $15,000. A Payment Bond of 100 percent of the total contract amount is required if the bid exceeds $25,000. The total bid proposal shall not exceed $461,000.00, establishing the maximum award value for this contract opportunity.