Via-Smart Project

Louisville Metro Government is procuring construction and installation services for the Via-Smart Project (IFB260244), a federal SMART grant-funded demonstration initiative designed to enhance safety and reliability at four identified viaducts throughout Jefferson County, Kentucky that experience over-height vehicle strikes and roadway flooding. The project requires installation of detection devices, signage, traffic control equipment, electrical components, communication cables, controller cabinets, cameras, conduit systems, LIDAR detectors for over-height vehicles, infrared detectors, flood detection sensors, and web relay controllers at viaduct locations including 3rd Street & Eastern Parkway, 3rd Street & Winkler Avenue, 4th Street & Industry Drive, and 15th Street & Oak Street. The deliverables will transmit real-time information to the traveling public and government agencies regarding roadway flooding conditions, approaching over-height vehicles, and confirmed strikes, with varied solutions implemented across different sites as part of this pilot project. Qualified contractors must be prequalified with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet at bid opening, with subcontractors requiring prequalification prior to work acceptance, and must perform no less than thirty percent of the total contract value themselves. Bidders must submit sealed bids through the Bonfire portal by May 19, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. EDT, with a question period extending from May 5, 2026, through June 12, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. EDT. The evaluation criteria specifies that award will be made to the lowest price responsive and responsible bid, and all submissions must include a bid bond of at least five percent of the base bid amount, along with required documentation including vendor information, W-9 forms, certification forms, and a completed IFB260244 Bid Table in Excel format.

The solicitation includes multiple preference designations and restrictions applicable to bidding entities. Contractors may claim minimum wage preference (5% reduction if paying employees at least $10.10 per hour), local vendor preference (5% reduction if established in Louisville MSA for twelve consecutive months), and Kentucky statutory preferences including qualified bidder status and reciprocal preference for Kentucky residents. Bidders and subcontractors must certify compliance with Kentucky statutes covering corporation and utility taxes, sales and use taxes, income taxes, wages and hours, occupational safety and health, unemployment compensation, and workers compensation, as well as non-collusion certification and examination of the project site and specifications. The contract is subject to federal Buy America requirements for steel, iron, and manufactured products, Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements, and compliance with the Build America, Buy America Act and environmental regulations including the Clean Air Act and Federal Water Pollution Control Act. The successful bidder must execute the contract within ten days of notice of acceptance, commence work within three days of receiving the Notice to Proceed, and furnish performance and payment bonds each equal to one hundred percent of the contract price. Payment terms are net 30 days based on actual in-place quantities invoiced at 30-day intervals, with all work warranted for one year from substantial completion. No specific budget range or award value has been disclosed in the solicitation documents.