Park avenue relocation, phase 2 advanced clearing & grubbing

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) is seeking a contractor for the Park Avenue Relocation, Phase 2 Advanced Clearing & Grubbing project (Contract No. T202604601), a federally-funded infrastructure preparation initiative in Sussex County. The project involves comprehensive site preparation, including advanced clearing and grubbing operations along Park Avenue, Shingle Point Road, Wood Branch Road, and Lewes-Georgetown Highway. Specific deliverables include tree trimming, right-of-way restoration, staging area preparation, erosion control measures, and environmental compliance activities across approximately 4.84 acres of disturbed area. Key work items encompass clearing and grubbing (lump sum), stone placement, borrow material management, topsoil placement, permanent grass seeding, erosion control implementations, and maintenance of traffic. Bidders must be registered with DelDOT and can submit proposals electronically through BidX or in paper form, with bids due on January 27, 2026, before 2:00 p.m. local time. The estimated notice to proceed date is February 2, 2026, with a required project completion timeline of 39 calendar days.

The contract currently has a 0% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal due to decertification of previous DBE vendors, with recertification processes ongoing. Contractors must implement mandatory drug testing programs, register with the Delaware Department of Labor, and comply with equal employment opportunity requirements and safety standards. The project is funded through the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (Federal Aid No. ESTP-S321(3)) and is subject to Davis-Bacon wage requirements and Build America Buy America material sourcing provisions. Prevailing wage rates range from $16.42 per hour for common laborers to $103.26 per hour for specialized roles, with specific restrictions on tree clearing between April 1 and July 31 to protect migratory bird nesting and endangered species habitats. Bidders are required to provide a surety bond or security deposit of at least 10% of their bid amount, and must obtain necessary environmental permits, including U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nationwide Permit #14 and DNREC wetlands approvals. While a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the comprehensive scope and federal funding suggest a significant infrastructure investment.