Robinson Classroom Building Boiler Replacement

Gaston College, located in Gaston County, North Carolina, is soliciting sealed lump sum bids for the Robinson Classroom Building Boiler Replacement project (SCO #25-29532-01A), funded through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. The procurement involves the replacement of heating and hot water systems in the 17,571-square-foot Robinson Classroom Building at 250 Library Lane, Dallas, North Carolina, classified as a Level 1 Alteration affecting 2,562 square feet of the building. The scope of work includes demolition of existing combustion air intake and flue vent systems, replacement of the existing gas-fired boiler with two new Lochinvar FCB1500 condensing boilers (1,500 MBH input each), installation of new hydronic piping and controls, addition of UV lighting systems upstream of cooling coils with MERV-13 filter upgrades, and associated mechanical and electrical work. The single prime contractor must hold appropriate general contractor licensing under North Carolina law and is responsible for coordinating all mechanical, electrical, and HVAC work, including verification of existing conditions, coordination of demolition with all trades, and maintenance of continuity of existing systems. Key requirements include submission of detailed shop drawings within 60 days of contract award, preparation of a certified Critical Path Method construction schedule, achievement of specified hydronic flow rates, compliance with North Carolina Building Code and Mechanical Code, comprehensive testing and balancing certification, and delivery of detailed operations and maintenance manuals upon project closeout. Sealed bids are due by 2:00 p.m. on February 3, 2026, at the Robinson Classroom Building, Room 128, with a mandatory pre-bid conference scheduled for January 22, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the same location. The contract requires completion within 182 consecutive calendar days from the Notice to Proceed, with all work to be finished by December 31, 2026, and liquidated damages assessed at $500.00 per day for work not completed within the contract time.

The bid documents establish a 5 percent bid security requirement along with 100 percent performance and payment bonds, and standard insurance coverage including worker's compensation with $100,000 employer's liability minimum, comprehensive general liability of $500,000 per occurrence, and builder's risk insurance. Prospective bidders must comply with minority business participation documentation requirements and E-Verification compliance provisions. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the procurement documents, and no existing infrastructure or technology requiring integration is specified beyond the coordination of work with existing mechanical and electrical systems at the facility. The project documents do not specify a budget range or award value; however, contractors should anticipate costs associated with procurement of specialized equipment including two primary heating hot water pumps (Armstrong Series Design Envelope model rated at 53 GPM), an air separator (Bell & Gossett CRSN-2F), an expansion tank (Bell & Gossett B130 with 13.4-gallon volume), three UV lighting systems (UV Resources RLM XTREME models), and electrical connections adding 6.42 kVA at the switchboard and 4.62 kVA at the panel, along with all associated labor, materials, and overhead for the project duration.