Taxiway A Holding Bay

The City of Lakeland, Florida, issued Invitation for Bid (ITB #2026-ITB-028) on March 24, 2026, for construction of a holding bay along Taxiway A at Lakeland Linder International Airport in Polk County. The procurement seeks qualified contractors to design and construct a designated paved holding bay area adjacent to Taxiway A where aircraft can temporarily position for pre-departure safety checks without obstructing taxiway traffic. The scope of work includes site preparation and earthwork, stabilized subgrade construction, lime rock base course installation, asphalt pavement placement (base and surface courses), installation of new drainage infrastructure with inlets and structures, FAA-compliant pavement markings, LED edge lighting and airfield signage installation, grading and sodding of impacted infield areas, pavement rehabilitation at the intersection of Taxiway A and Runway 5-23, and underground duct banks and electrical conduit installation. The holding bay consists of two bays designed to accommodate up to two simultaneous aircraft operations with taxilane-to-taxilane centerline separation of 190 feet in accordance with FAA Advisory Circular 150/5300-13B and Taxiway Design Group V criteria. Key objectives include enhancing operational efficiency, improving airfield safety, and ensuring continuous flow of aircraft departing Runway 10/28. Qualified bidders must provide a minimum of three references for projects of equal size, scope, magnitude, and complexity completed within the past three years, demonstrate adequate safety programs and experience modification rates, and possess Commercial General Liability insurance with limits of $2,000,000 per occurrence, Business Automobile Liability of $2,000,000, Workers' Compensation at statutory limits, Excess Liability of $10,000,000, Builder's Risk coverage at replacement cost, and Contractors Pollution Liability of $1,000,000. A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting is scheduled for April 7, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. at Lakeland Linder International Airport; the deadline for written questions is April 14, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.; and sealed bids must be submitted electronically via the OpenGov e-Procurement Portal by April 24, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., with public opening and reading of bids on the same date and time. Bidders must submit pricing as a lump sum total and provide either a certified check or bid bond equal to not less than five percent of the bid price, valid for sixty days after bid closing, along with a Public Construction Bond in accordance with Florida Statute Section 255.05 within ten days of award.

The project is federally funded through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and includes a disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) participation goal of 6.82%, with the City of Lakeland actively encouraging the use of minority and women-owned businesses as subcontractors or in joint venture arrangements. Local vendor preference is available to qualified local businesses meeting specified criteria and providing a valid local business tax receipt. All bidders must comply with federal Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements, Buy American preferences, and civil rights provisions applicable to federally funded airport projects. Contractor selection is subject to compliance with various Florida statutes and City policies including e-verification requirements, drug-free workplace certification, suspension and debarment certification, human trafficking affidavit, and conflict of interest disclosures. The contractor must execute multiple indemnification and hold harmless agreements protecting the City and the Florida Department of Transportation from liabilities arising from the contractor's negligence or wrongful conduct, obtain waiver of subrogation from insurance carriers, and develop and implement a comprehensive Contractor Quality Control Program with qualified personnel and accredited testing facilities. Liquidated damages provisions apply for failure to meet phased completion deadlines, and mobilization costs are limited to 10 percent of total project cost. No specific award value or budget range is disclosed in the bid solicitation documents reviewed.