RFB-45-25 DOC Water Tower Painting/Repairs

The Commonwealth of Kentucky Department of Corrections is issuing Request for Bids (RFB) No. RFB-45-25 for water tower painting and repair services at the Kentucky State Penitentiary located in Eddyville, Kentucky. The procurement seeks qualified contractors to perform comprehensive rehabilitation of a 300,000-gallon elevated water storage tank, including blast cleaning of both interior and exterior surfaces in accordance with SSPC SP 10 standards, installation of an SSPC Guide 6 Class III full containment system due to existing lead-based coating, and repainting per specifications. Additional deliverables encompass various tank repairs, security fencing installation, sidewalk construction, utility pole relocation, and installation of temporary ground storage and emergency pumps to support facility safety and security operations. The project must commence in early to mid-September 2024 with substantial completion required within 120 calendar days from contract execution, and final completion thereafter. Bidders were required to conduct a mandatory site visit on August 19, 2024, at 10:00 AM Central Time at 266 Water Street, Eddyville, Kentucky, with attendance contingent upon submission of NCIC background check forms by August 12, 2024. Sealed bids were due by August 30, 2024, at 1:30 PM Eastern Time through the Commonwealth's eProcurement system exclusively, with a public bid reading conducted via conference call at 2:30 PM Eastern Time on the same date. Bidders must register in the Vendor Self Service system at least 24-48 hours prior to submission and submit the Official Bid Document and any required bid bond as a single combined PDF attachment. Plans and specifications are available at no cost through the State of Kentucky Plan Room at https://www.stateofkyplanroom.com, with procurement inquiries directed to Purchasing Agent Susan Ward at 502-226-0335.

The solicitation does not explicitly identify set-aside designations or restrictions limiting responses to specific enterprise categories such as disadvantaged, minority-owned, or women-owned businesses. However, the procurement imposes substantial security and compliance requirements on all contractors, including mandatory background checks and PREA training completion for all contractors, employees, and subcontractors prior to facility entry, as well as strict adherence to institutional security protocols prohibiting cell phones, weapons, illegal drugs, alcohol, tobacco, glass containers, and personal electronic devices within the secure yard area. Mid-South Tank Consultants is designated as the project inspector. All contractors must submit shop drawings within 15 days of contract award and ensure all materials are on-site before construction commences, with work hours limited to 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM unless approved otherwise by the Warden. Contractors are responsible for providing temporary facilities including portable toilet facilities, temporary security fencing with razor wire, and new temporary utilities or coordination with the owner for existing utility connections. Liquidated damages are assessed at $750 per calendar day for delays beyond substantial completion and $450 per calendar day for delays beyond final completion, with a bid bond or certified check required at not less than five percent of the lump sum base bid price. No specific contract award value or budget range has been publicly disclosed in the available solicitation documents.