Restoration of AME Church, PH2

The City of Cape May, located in Cape May County, New Jersey, is soliciting bids for the Restoration of AME Church Phase 2 project, a comprehensive historic preservation initiative. The procurement seeks a contractor to reconstruct the bell tower, entrance stairs, ADA ramp, and complete interior work including bathrooms, electrical, mechanical, and finish components for a key contributing structure in the Cape May Historic District. Bidders must adhere to U.S. Department of Interior standards for historic properties, specifically the 2017 guidelines for preserving, rehabilitating, and reconstructing historic buildings. Contractors are required to be registered with either the U.S. Department of Interior as a historical restoration contractor or hold a New Jersey DPMC C024 classification, with flexibility for obtaining registration within 3 months of award. The bid due date was extended to April 23, 2024, at 1:00 PM, with a project completion deadline of December 15, 2024. Evaluation criteria include lowest responsible bidder status, with bidders required to submit a 10% bid guarantee, business registrations, non-collusion affidavits, and proof of equal employment opportunity compliance.

The procurement does not explicitly specify set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises. Bidders must provide comprehensive insurance coverage and comply with prevailing wage requirements. The project involves approximately 2,296 square feet of renovation space with a total building occupancy of 77 persons, classified as an A3 assembly group. While specific budget details are not explicitly outlined, bidders must submit a bid guarantee not exceeding $20,000. The project encompasses detailed architectural modifications, including structural steel work, wood framing, concrete requirements, and precise measurements for foundational and structural elements. Contractors will need to demonstrate expertise in historical restoration, with technical capabilities to handle complex preservation work involving intricate architectural reconstructions, electrical systems upgrades, and ADA accessibility improvements. The restoration will utilize specific materials such as Western Red Cedar Certi-Sawn taper sawn handsplit shakes for roofing and will require meticulous attention to maintaining the historic character of the Allen AME Church building.