ITB South Slough Entrance Improvement Project

The Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) has issued an Invitation to Bid (ITB) for the South Slough Entrance Improvements Project located in Coos County, Oregon. This procurement seeks a comprehensive infrastructure and site improvement contract for the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve at 61907 Seven Devils Rd, Charleston. The project involves establishing a new staging area, managing utilities, constructing access and turn lanes, expanding parking areas, installing pedestrian paths, adding lighting and security cameras, implementing EV charging stations, and conducting site restoration. Key deliverables include grading new roadways, installing electrical and communications infrastructure, creating stormwater management systems, and performing landscape plantings. The solicitation requires bidders to demonstrate compliance with federal funding conditions, state procurement regulations, and specific project requirements such as archaeological discovery protocols. The voluntary pre-bid conference is scheduled for November 4, 2025, with bid submissions due by November 18, 2025. The project has a targeted start date of December 1, 2025, with substantial completion expected by April 1, 2026, and final completion set for May 31, 2026.

The procurement includes strict Buy America requirements mandating that all iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials be produced in the United States. Bidders must comply with Davis-Bacon wage rates and prevailing wage requirements, and provide bid security of 10% of the total bid amount. The project is funded through a federal grant from the Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), with an estimated project cost range between $900,000 and $1,200,000. Contractors will be subject to liquidated damages of $500 per calendar day for failure to meet the substantial completion date. The technical specifications emphasize compliance with Oregon administrative rules, environmental regulations, and sustainable construction practices. While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are explicitly mentioned, bidders must adhere to comprehensive technical requirements covering site preparation, excavation, electrical systems, landscaping, and seeding, with a strong emphasis on native plant restoration and environmental sensitivity.