MATERIAL TESTING SERVICES & SPECIAL INSPECTOR BOWERS ELEMENTARY RENOVATIONS State Project #077-0239 RNV

The Town of Manchester, Connecticut is seeking a Material Testing Services and Special Inspection Coordinator for the comprehensive renovation of Bowers Elementary School, located at 141 Princeton St, under State Project #077-0239 RNV. The procurement involves material testing services and special inspection for a $26,500,000 project that includes renovating the existing 53,400 square foot school structure with an 11,000 square foot addition, targeting a net zero design. The successful contractor must provide detailed unit pricing for various inspection and testing services, including field and laboratory soils services, concrete testing, masonry inspection, structural steel and welding inspection, and cold-formed steel framing inspection. Bidders must be NVLAP accredited, have OSHA 10 training for inspectors, and the Special Inspector Coordinator must be a Professional Engineer licensed in Connecticut with experience in structural design, inspection, and materials testing. The solicitation was released on June 23, 2022, with questions due by June 30, 2022 at 12:00 pm, and final responses required by July 7, 2022 at 2:00 pm, with electronic submissions through the Town's e-Procurement Portal.

The contract is subject to the Town of Manchester's Living Wage Ordinance, which requires covered employers with contracts exceeding $25,000 to pay eligible full-time employees a living wage of $14.49/hour with comprehensive health care benefits or $19.39/hour without such benefits. Potential exemptions exist for charitable foundations, nonprofits, bidders with fewer than 25 eligible employees, or contracts valued under $25,000. Contractors must certify compliance and are subject to potential enforcement actions including fines or contract suspension for non-compliance. The project emphasizes equal opportunity employment, with contractors expected to make best efforts to hire Manchester residents for new positions. Insurance requirements are comprehensive, including workers' compensation, commercial general liability, automobile liability, and excess coverage. A security background check process is mandatory, with contractors required to submit employee information and pay associated fees directly to GoodHire. The project is funded through state educational infrastructure grants and is scheduled for completion by August 2023, with construction beginning in July 2022 under a Construction Manager delivery method.