South Street Sidewalk Construction from US 41/Cleveland Avenue to SR 739/Fowler Street Rebid (FDOT 438101-2-58-01)

The City of Fort Myers is issuing Invitation to Bid (ITB 26-001) for the construction of a 6-inch thick, 5-foot wide, 3,000-linear-foot concrete sidewalk on the north side of South Street extending from US 41/Cleveland Avenue to SR 739/Fowler Street in Lee County, Florida, under FDOT Financial Project ID 438101-2-58-01. This is a rebid of a previously unsuccessful procurement solicitation. The project scope includes maintenance of traffic, clearing and grubbing of approximately 0.65 acres, removal of 574 square yards of existing concrete, installation of 1,092 square yards of new sidewalk with detectable warnings, 152 linear feet of pipe handrail installation, 575 square yards of permanent driveway construction, performance turf installation of approximately 1,898 square yards, modification of 17 existing mailboxes, and implementation of erosion and sediment control measures including inlet protection systems and sediment barriers. Construction activities are limited to Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM with no work permitted on weekends or hurricane evacuation notices. Successful contractors must demonstrate mandatory minimum qualifications including three consecutive years in business, proper Florida licensing, and no prior defaults with the City. The virtual bid opening is scheduled for March 16, 2026, at 2:00 PM, with a non-mandatory pre-submittal meeting on February 18, 2026, at 10:00 AM and a question submission deadline of February 25, 2026, at 4:00 PM. All submissions must be made electronically through the OpenGov portal. The contract must be executed and all required bonds and insurance certificates provided within fifteen calendar days of receiving the Notice of Award, with work to be substantially completed within 180 calendar days and finally completed within 210 calendar days from the Notice to Proceed. City Council approval is proposed for April 6, 2026.

This is a federally funded project through the Safe Routes to School program with partial funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance program and the Florida Department of Transportation Local Agency Program, requiring mandatory compliance with federal provisions including Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements, Buy America and Build America domestic preference requirements, E-Verify employment verification, and Clean Air Act and Federal Water Pollution Control Act compliance. Contractors must provide a 5 percent bid bond or certified cashier's check of the total bid price and may sublet portions of work provided they perform at least 40 percent of the total contract amount with their own organization. The project is subject to Minority Business Enterprise participation requirements and disadvantaged business enterprise participation goals applicable to federal funding, with contractors required to document affirmative steps taken to utilize disadvantaged business enterprises. All work must comply with prevailing wage rates established in the Wage Rates document (FL20260255), and contractors are responsible for obtaining all necessary permits, licenses, and compliance certifications, including enrollment in the E-Verify employment eligibility verification program and background screening under Florida Statute Chapter 435. Contractors must maintain comprehensive general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence, automobile liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 combined single limit, and workers compensation insurance in accordance with statutory requirements. Liquidated damages are assessed at a daily rate ranging from $904 per day for contracts under $299,999 to higher amounts based on contract value. The exact contract amount is to be determined and will be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder; payment will be made monthly at 95 percent of completed work value with 5 percent retained until final acceptance.