MPA 574 Prime/General Contractor Prequal for K-12 Public School Construction

The State of Rhode Island's Department of Education's School Building Authority (SBA) has issued a Master Price Agreement (MPA) Open Enrollment solicitation (OET24004134) to prequalify prime/general contractors for K-12 public school construction projects. The procurement seeks contractors capable of performing construction, reconstruction, demolition, maintenance, or repair services for school facilities estimated to cost over $13.9 million in fiscal year 2024 and receiving state funding. Contractors must submit comprehensive technical proposals demonstrating their qualifications, including bonding capacity commitment letters, insurance documentation, and licensing credentials. The open enrollment period runs from April 19, 2024, to June 30, 2025, with a vendor question and answer period spanning the same timeframe. Proposals will be evaluated by a technical committee based on the merits of the contractors' qualifications, expertise, and ability to deliver complex school construction services. Selected vendors will be placed on a qualified vendor list from which state agencies, municipalities, and other governmental entities can solicit project-specific quotes. Contractors who have already submitted proposals to a related solicitation (OET24003781) are explicitly prohibited from reapplying.

The solicitation strongly emphasizes Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Women Business Enterprise (WBE) participation, requiring vendors to submit an MBE Participation Acknowledgment Form and develop utilization plans for specific project awards. When agencies issue project-specific scopes of work, at least one of three quotes must come from an MBE/WBE/Veteran-owned Business Enterprise (VBE) certified vendor. The contract includes a 1% administrative fee withheld from vendor payments, which will be deposited into a restricted receipt account for implementing and maintaining the state's eProcurement system. While no guaranteed minimum purchase amount is specified, the MPA will be available for use by state agencies, quasi-governmental organizations, Rhode Island municipalities, and legislative and judicial branches. Vendors must maintain valid Rhode Island contractor registration, comply with prevailing wage requirements, and provide comprehensive insurance coverage, including $1 million in liability coverage, $100,000 in workers' compensation, and $1 million in automobile liability insurance. The state reserves the right to make single or multiple awards and to cancel the solicitation at its discretion.