Robert e. Johnson (REJ) balcony handrail refurbishment

The State Preservation Board (SPB) of Texas has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) 809-26-0002 for the Robert E. Johnson (REJ) Balcony Handrail Refurbishment project located at 1501 Congress Avenue in Austin, Texas. The procurement involves comprehensive refurbishment of the existing balcony railing system, including disassembly of current railings, salvage and reuse of stainless-steel components, removal of existing steel tube posts, and installation of new stainless-steel brackets and steel tube posts. Key project objectives include raising the top rail elevation from 42 to 46 inches, eliminating perimeter gaps, and ensuring compliance with current OSHA and ADA standards. Contractors must have a minimum of five years of experience in general construction and remodeling services. The evaluation criteria will allocate 15 points for project schedule, 25 points for firm and team experience, 30 points for cost proposal, and 30 points for relevant project experience and references. Optional site visits are available from December 15-17, 2025, with site visit requests due by December 10, 2025, and an optional pre-solicitation webinar scheduled for December 16, 2025. The proposal submission deadline is January 27, 2026, at 2:00 PM, with an anticipated project duration of six months.

The solicitation includes a Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) subcontracting requirement with a 26 percent goal for all other services contracts. All respondents, including HUB-certified and non-HUB contractors, must complete and submit a HUB Subcontracting Plan (HSP) with their proposal, with a courtesy review deadline of January 8, 2026. Contractors must notify at least three Texas-certified HUBs of subcontracting opportunities and provide them seven working days to respond prior to bid submission. Insurance requirements include workers' compensation coverage of $500,000 per accident, commercial general liability insurance of $1,000,000 aggregate, and automobile liability insurance with a $500,000 combined single limit. Contractors are subject to criminal background checks and must ensure subcontractors meet the same qualifications as the primary contractor. The estimated project budget is $100,000, with pricing to be firm and fixed for 120 days from the bid opening date. Proposals must include a lump-sum bid covering all materials, labor, equipment, and services necessary for project completion, with separate pricing details for materials and labor.