ITB 2026-002 Downtown Streetscape Improvement Project-Main Street: White Oak Alley to Market Street

The City of Salem, Virginia is issuing Invitation to Bid (ITB) 2026-002 for the Downtown Streetscape Improvement Project on Main Street from White Oak Alley to Market Street, representing a federally-funded construction procurement under FHWA project number STP-5129(010). The project scope encompasses comprehensive streetscape improvements including demolition and removal of existing concrete and paver sidewalks, curbs, and electrical features; construction of new paver sidewalks with appropriate sub-grade and sub-base improvements; concrete curbs and asphalt pavement with striping; new storm drainage infrastructure including piping and inlets; water and fire hydrant adjustments; street lighting and electrical components featuring pole-mounted luminaires and integrated strand lighting; landscaping and irrigation systems with specified overstory trees and shrub plantings; and miscellaneous streetscape furnishings. Bidders must be VDOT pre-qualified contractors and are required to submit sealed bids on a unit price basis for a single prime contract, providing their Vendor ID Number with submissions. Key schedule milestones include a pre-bid conference at 10:00 AM on May 14, 2026, at Salem Electric Department (highly encouraged but not mandatory); written clarifications and questions due by 5:00 PM on May 19, 2026, directed to Benjamin K. Denton, Purchasing Manager; and sealed bids due by 3:00 PM on May 28, 2026, with public opening and reading at 3:05 PM the same day at City Council Chambers. The contract specifies a substantial completion timeline of 150 calendar days and final completion within 175 calendar days from commencement, with liquidated damages of $600 per day for delays, and three mandatory work shutdowns for Olde Salem Days (September 12, 2026), Salem Half Marathon (October 10, 2026), and Salem Christmas Parade (December 4, 2026). A 5 percent bid security requirement and performance and payment bonds equal to the contract price are mandatory, and contractors must comply with federal prevailing wage requirements under Davis-Bacon Act provisions, comprehensive federal labor standards, Equal Employment Opportunity provisions, and Buy America/Build America, Buy America Act (BABA) requirements for all materials.

While the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) contract goal is established at zero percent under interim federal requirements, minority-owned business enterprises (MBE) and women-owned business enterprises (WBE) are actively encouraged to submit bids, and contractors are encouraged to seek DBE participation as subcontractors in accordance with Executive Orders 12138 and 11625. All contractors must comply with Executive Order 11246 addressing employment discrimination prohibition and Executive Order 13658 regarding prevailing wages, with certified weekly payroll submissions and affirmative action obligations required throughout contract performance. The project is subject to 2020 VDOT Road and Bridge Specifications, applicable supplementary conditions, and standard General Conditions (EJCDC C-700), with comprehensive insurance requirements including workers' compensation, commercial general liability, and builder's risk insurance mandated before work commences. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the procurement documents. The specific contract award value or budget range is not disclosed in the available procurement materials, though the project represents a substantial downtown infrastructure investment with federally-funded construction work requiring specialized streetscape, utility, and landscaping expertise.