PWCA-26001 Old Main Exterior Repairs

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (SSHE), on behalf of Penn West University located in California, Pennsylvania, is seeking a single prime general contractor to perform comprehensive exterior renovations to Old Main, a historic building on campus. The project scope encompasses masonry cleaning and repair, brick and stone repointing, wood and metal restoration, window replacement (approximately 132 window units across base bid and alternates), roofing work, through-wall flashing installation, drainage system improvements including approximately 100 feet of perimeter storm piping, interior foundation wall parging, copper gutter coating, chimney repointing, and miscellaneous structural repairs across Old Main, South Hall residences, and the President's Residence. The contract includes a base bid with five additive alternates: South Hall window installation, Library Annex window installation, seal stone surface stripping, brick replacement in noted areas, and fluid-applied coating to gutters, along with unit pricing for additional line items such as basement opening infills and wood replacement. A mandatory pre-bid conference with site visit will be held on April 27, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Lower Level Construction Conference Room, Dixon Hall, California, Pennsylvania 15419. Electronic bids are due by 10:00 a.m. EST on May 21, 2026, through PennBid at https://pennbid.bonfirehub.com/, with all bid documents available at no cost on the platform. Contractors must submit bid forms, contractor qualification statements, and project manager/superintendent resumes; provide evidence of not being debarred or suspended; comply with prevailing wage requirements per Serial Number 26-13412 (dated April 7, 2026); and maintain general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate. Pre-bid questions must be submitted by May 6, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. through PennBid's "Ask a Question" feature, and bids remain valid for a minimum of 60 days.

No specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises or restrictions on organizational type are referenced in the solicitation documents; however, contractors must register to do business in Pennsylvania if incorporated or organized outside the state and must comply with the Commonwealth's Public Works Employment Verification Act (Act 127 of 2012) requiring E-Verify system usage for all contractors and subcontractors. The contract cost is estimated at $2,000,000.00 for the base general construction work, with the final award to be determined by the lowest combination of base bid and alternates within budgeted funds. Upon award, the contractor must provide performance and payment bonds equal to 100 percent of the contract price and maintenance bonds equal to 10 percent of the contract price, with retainage withheld at ten percent until fifty percent of the contract is completed, then reduced to five percent thereafter. Work must commence within seven days of the Notice to Proceed, which is anticipated within 120 days of bid opening, with substantial completion required by December 1, 2026. Liquidated damages are set at $250.00 per calendar day for delays beyond the contract completion date. The design professionals include PWWG Architects of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and BECS (Building Envelope Consultants and Scientists), with Tim Evans serving as the Construction Contracts Manager.