NEFSH Laundry Upgrade Project

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is seeking qualified vendors to perform utility and infrastructure modifications to upgrade the laundry building and equipment at Northeast Florida State Hospital (NEFSH) located in Baker County. The project involves comprehensive demolition and construction work to ensure proper laundry facility installation and operational redundancy. A mandatory in-person pre-bid conference was held on October 29, 2024, with electronic bid submissions due by December 17, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. The contract scope includes base bid work covering gas line installations, electrical systems, new return duct work, and infrastructure modifications, with two alternates: Alternate #1 for AHCA, SFM, Building Code, and security compliance ($70,000), and Alternate #2 for HVAC replacement work. The project must be substantially completed within 400 days after the Notice to Proceed, with final completion required by December 31, 2026. Vendors must demonstrate necessary licensing, certification, and experience requirements, and the contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.

The Department encourages participation from certified minority business enterprises (MBEs) with a target of 21% of the total construction contract value, specifically targeting 4% African American, 6% Hispanic American, and 11% women-owned businesses. Woman-owned, veteran-owned, and minority-owned small businesses are explicitly encouraged to participate. The contract was ultimately awarded to William and Rowe Company, Inc., as noted in the Notice of Intent to Award dated December 17, 2024. The project is funded through state Fixed Capital Outlay (FCO) appropriations, and for projects exceeding $100,000, a bid guarantee of 5% is required. Contractors must provide a 100% Public Construction Bond and maintain comprehensive insurance coverage, including general liability insurance with minimum limits of $200,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence. The project requires careful coordination with the hospital's ongoing operations, with work to be performed after hours or on weekends to minimize disruption, and includes liquidated damages of $1,000 per day for project delays.