MDOT AWOS Concrete and Electrical Work

The Michigan Department of Transportation is issuing Request for Proposal No. 260000001627 for AWOS (Automated Weather Observation System) foundations and cabling installation work at six airport locations throughout Michigan, including West Branch Community Airport (Ogemaw County), Antrim County Airport (Bellaire), Mount Pleasant Municipal Airport (Isabella County), St. Clair County International Airport (Port Huron), Mason Jewett Field (Mason), and Hastings City Airport (Barry County). The scope of work encompasses furnishing all labor, materials, equipment, and testing necessary to install foundations in a Vaisala Bi-Pad configuration, underground conduits and cabling (ranging from approximately 200 to 1,200 linear feet per location), grounding systems, and lightning/surge protection in compliance with FAA standards including AC 150/5345-7F, AC 150/5370-2, and AC 150/5220-16E, as well as TSEWG TP-21 guidance. Deliverables include completed foundation installations, underground cable installations with proper splicing where required (including FAA L-824 cable splices using compression connectors, XLPE-compatible tapes, and 3M ScotchCast or equivalent protectors), as-built documentation, splice locators, grounding systems, and site restoration on a lump sum basis for each location. Bidders must be prequalified Michigan Department of Transportation contractors in the Licensed Electrical category with demonstrated experience in AWOS or equivalent aviation weather systems, FAA JO 6560.20C siting compliance, and Vaisala outdoor installations. The proposal deadline is April 10, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, with a bidders' question deadline of April 6, 2026; the anticipated contract commencement date is April 20, 2026, with all work required to be completed by September 15, 2026. Work hours are restricted to Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., unless otherwise approved, and evaluation will be conducted on a pass/fail basis with contract award to the responsive and responsible bidder with the lowest price meeting all mandatory minimum requirements.

All bidders and subcontractors must be registered with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and comply with prevailing wage requirements applicable to the six affected counties (Ogemaw, Antrim, Isabella, St. Clair, Mason, and Barry), with mandatory wage rates ranging from $36.87 per hour for certain laborer classifications to $110.76 per hour for elevator constructors depending on trade and experience level. Performance and lien bonds, each equal to 100 percent of the total contract price, are required for contract execution. The RFP does not identify any specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises or small businesses, nor does it list incumbent vendors or current contractors; however, the scope requires integration with existing Vaisala AWOS IIIP infrastructure and existing airfield lighting circuits, particularly FAA L-824 underground cables that may require locating, protecting, and splicing using electromagnetic locators and ground-penetrating radar. The contract includes liquidated damages assessed at rates ranging from $500 to $4,000 per calendar day depending on contract value if work is not completed by the specified deadline of September 15, 2026. While no specific budget range or award value is disclosed in the RFP documents, bidders must submit pricing in Microsoft Excel format using the provided Schedule B bid sheet with line items for mobilization, materials procurement, directional bore conduit installation (required only at Hastings City Barry County Airport), foundation installation with conduit and counterpoise, underground cable installation with counterpoise, and site restoration for each of the six airport locations. The State reserves the right to conduct on-site facility inspections, request oral presentations, perform reference checks, and enter into negotiations with bidders on price and technical requirements.