NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is seeking sealed proposals for a Single Prime construction contract for the NC Forest Service County Office located in Lenoir County. The project involves furnishing labor, materials, and equipment for constructing a new county office facility, with design services provided by The Walker Group Architecture, Inc. from New Bern, NC. Prospective bidders must possess an unlimited construction license and submit lump sum proposals by October 23, 2025, at 3:00 pm to the NCFS Region 1 headquarters in Kinston, NC. An open, non-mandatory pre-bid meeting is scheduled for October 9th at 11:00 am to discuss project specifics, bidding procedures, and bid forms. Bidders are required to submit a cash deposit or certified check equaling five percent of their proposal amount and will be expected to provide performance and payment bonds covering 100% of the contract price.

The solicitation appears to have a specific focus on minority business participation, as evidenced by the required Identification of Minority Business Participation form. While no specific set-aside designations are explicitly stated, the requirement suggests an emphasis on inclusive procurement practices. Bidders will be prohibited from withdrawing their proposals for 30 days after the scheduled closing time, and the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services reserves the right to reject any or all bids and waive informalities. Payment will be structured based on monthly estimates, with 95% of costs reimbursed during the project and final payment contingent upon completion and acceptance of work. Although a specific budget range is not provided in the documentation, the project represents a significant investment in county infrastructure for the NC Forest Service, with potential opportunities for qualified contractors to demonstrate their construction capabilities.