IFB Fire Alarm Control Panel Upgrades in Alameda County

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Division of Procurement and Contracts is issuing an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for Fire Alarm Control Panel Upgrades in Alameda County, specifically at the San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge Maintenance Complex located at 200 Burma Road, Oakland, California. The project involves upgrading the existing Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP) digital alarm communication system from Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) copper landlines to a cellular-based system by installing a NAPCO StarLink Cellular unit with a dual input module to the existing Siemens FLS system. Deliverables include labor, equipment, materials, permits, and supplies necessary for the complete installation, programming of the cellular communicator, system testing, and provision of engineered design submittals to the Oakland Fire Department, along with obtaining necessary permits and Authority Having Jurisdiction approval. Qualified bidders must be authorized programmers on Desigo systems with technicians certified to work on Siemens Desigo systems, hold a valid C-10 Electrical Contractor license from the California Contractors State License Board, maintain current Department of Industrial Relations registration, and meet all minimum qualifications to avoid bid rejection. Key deadlines include a written question submittal deadline of January 29, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time, a final bid submission deadline of February 5, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., with bid opening scheduled for February 5, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. via teleconference and an estimated award date of February 12, 2026. The contract is estimated to commence on March 5, 2026 and expire on December 4, 2026, with work performed during normal business hours Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding state holidays. The total bid proposal must not exceed $461,000.00, with bidders required to submit a lump sum price for all work and services.

This procurement includes several set-aside designations and restrictions on eligible respondents. Small Business (SB), Microbusiness (MB), and Small Business for Public Works (SB-PW) preferences apply with a five percent (5%) preference available to certified contractors, with a maximum preference amount not to exceed $50,000. A Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) incentive of five percent (5%) is available for bids with verified 100% DVBE participation. No subcontracting is permitted under this agreement, restricting participation to prime contractors only. Prevailing wage requirements apply as this is a public works contract with a bid amount exceeding $15,000, requiring bidders to comply with prevailing wage requirements and provide certified payroll records. Insurance requirements include Commercial General Liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate), Automobile Liability ($1,000,000 combined single limit), Workers' Compensation, and Builder's Risk/Installation Floater coverage. A Payment Bond equal to 100 percent of the contract amount is required if the bid exceeds $25,000. The contract involves integration with the existing Siemens Desigo FLS system at the facility, and the award will be made to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder meeting all specifications, with a maximum budget not to exceed $461,000.00.