MLK Jr. ELEMENTARY HVAC AND PLUMBING UPGRADES

Douglas County, Georgia (through the Dougherty County Board of Education) issued a sealed bid invitation for HVAC and plumbing upgrades at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, with bids due June 23, 2022. A mandatory pre-bid meeting on June 2, 2022 at the Facilities Services Department was required for bidder eligibility. The awardee must be a Georgia-licensed prime contractor and comply with background checks, drug-free workplace policies, E-Verify authorization under the Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act, and equal opportunity employment requirements.

The scope encompasses replacement of all heating, air conditioning, and plumbing systems across the facility, including 37 wall-hung heat pumps, 2 rooftop heat pump units, 4 packaged terminal heat pumps, 4 fan coil units, 4 ductless heat pumps, 2 outside air handling units, 8 ceiling heaters, 38 exhaust fans, and kitchen makeup air equipment. Work is organized in six construction phases to maintain school operations. The contractor must recover all R-22 refrigerant during demolition, return recovery cylinders to the owner, transfer one cylinder of R-410a refrigerant to the owner, and install bipolar ionization units with Building Automation System integration and fault monitoring. Equipment must fit through existing 4-foot by 3-foot mezzanine doors in confined spaces. The contractor is responsible for protecting existing finishes and infrastructure and removing all protective coverings and construction debris upon completion. Basis-of-design equipment includes Carrier HVAC units and AAON outside air units.

Bids exceeding $100,000 required a 5% surety bid bond. The successful contractor must furnish Performance and Payment Bonds equal to 100% of contract value and commence work within ten days of receiving Notice to Proceed, with final completion by April 7, 2023. Award was based on lowest responsive and responsible bid, financial stability, and demonstrated ability to complete on schedule. Bidders were required to submit executed bid forms, contractor qualifications, non-collusion certifications, affidavits, equal opportunity assurances, Georgia business licenses, subcontractor lists, and references for two similar projects completed within the prior two years. Four addenda were issued modifying specifications and clarifying requirements. No bids were received; all six contractors listed (Albany Air, Lang Mechanical, LRA Constructors, Newell Construction, SafeAire, and Waters Mechanical) submitted no proposals at the June 23, 2022 opening.