Playground Inspections and Repairs- On-Call

The City of New Haven, on behalf of New Haven Public Schools, is conducting an Invitation for Bid (IFB) procurement for on-call playground inspection and repair services at approximately 42 school locations districtwide. The procuring agency is the New Haven Public Schools Department of Facilities, with proposals due electronically through the City's eProcurement Portal by March 5, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., with a question and clarification deadline of February 24, 2026. Qualified contractors must perform certified annual inspections of playground equipment and surfaces, conduct monthly general inspections, and provide necessary repairs and maintenance to ensure compliance with ASTM F1487 and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) guidelines. All personnel must hold current Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) certification from the Connecticut Department of Public Health, minimum OSHA 10 certification, and demonstrated knowledge of ASTM standards and CPSC guidelines. Pricing shall be submitted on a unit cost basis for both inspection labor (annually per school) and maintenance and repair labor (hourly rates for standard hours and weekend/holiday hours), with the contractor responsible for furnishing all necessary services, supervision, technical personnel, labor, materials, machinery, and equipment in an efficient and workmanlike manner. Award will be made to the lowest responsible bidder meeting all qualification requirements, and the City reserves the right to reject all bids and award one or more contracts based on availability of funds and contractor qualifications.

The City of New Haven Living Wage Ordinance applies, requiring a minimum of $21.95 per hour with benefits or $22.95 per hour without benefits, effective July 1, 2026, and bid security of 5 percent of the total bid amount is required for proposals exceeding $100,000. Local preference provisions apply for City-based businesses, and standard requirements include equal employment opportunity compliance, non-collusion affidavits, ban-the-box agreements, and certificates of non-arrearage. Contractors selected for award must submit all required documentation within seven calendar days of receiving the Notice of Intent to Award and shall not commence work until receiving an executed agreement and official Notice to Proceed. The contractor must maintain a Certificate of Insurance for the contract duration, comply with Connecticut state law and City ordinances, and guarantee all work and materials for one year after final acceptance. Compliance with the Commission on Equal Opportunities standards is mandatory, and contractors may be subject to penalties ranging from $750 to $4,000 for violations related to payroll reporting, attendance records, and diversity participation goals, with weekly penalties of $2,000 or 1 percent of the contract amount for ongoing violations. The contract value is not specified in the solicitation (listed as "NO VALUE" with estimated quantities subject to actual usage), though ARPA funding appears available for eligible work, and the City retains broad termination rights including termination for cause with five business days' notice or for convenience with twenty-one days' notice.