Walking iron trail

Dane County, Wisconsin, is soliciting competitive bids for the Walking Iron Trail reconstruction and rehabilitation project (RFB No. 326012, WIS DOT Construction ID 5666-00-79) located at 6715 STH 78, Mazomanie, Wisconsin. The scope of work encompasses reconstruction of two existing timber rail bridges, rehabilitation of five existing timber rail bridges to accommodate multi-modal use, resurfacing and expansion of a gravel parking lot, approximately three miles of aggregate surface multi-modal trail work, and associated construction access work. Specific deliverables include removals, excavation for structures, timber bridge construction, culvert and underdrain pipe installation, backfill structure work, steel and timber rail installation, base aggregate placement, asphaltic overlay, concrete pavement, clearing and grubbing, erosion control, restoration, signing, park kiosk installation, and temporary and permanent traffic control. The project's primary objective is to extend the Walking Iron Trail for public multi-modal recreational use (pedestrian, bike, and snowmobile) to trail bridges crossing the Wisconsin River. Qualified bidders must be pre-qualified on the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Prequalified Contractor's list with current certification and must be certified as a Best Value Contractor prior to the bid due date, with subcontractors required to obtain pre-qualification ten days before commencing work. A mandatory pre-bid conference is scheduled for Monday, April 6, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the trailhead parking lot; questions must be submitted by Friday, April 10, 2026, at 12:00 p.m.; and sealed bids are due electronically by 2:00 p.m. on Monday, April 20, 2026. The project assumes a start date of June 15, 2026, with substantial completion required by June 25, 2027. Work must comply with all federal requirements under the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding, prevailing wage laws under Federal Davis-Bacon wage rates, and all applicable regulations of the Dane County Land, Water, and Resources Division.

The project is federally funded through the Transportation Alternatives Program and is subject to federal equal employment opportunity, nondiscrimination, and Davis-Bacon labor standards provisions. An Emerging Small Business (ESB) participation goal of 10 percent has been established for the contract, and a Discretionary Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal applies to the project; bidders selected must submit ESB Reports to the Office of Equity and Inclusion within 10 business days of the bid due date. All bidders must submit a 5 percent bid guarantee in the form of a certified check, cashier's check, or bid bond and must provide a Performance and Payment Bond equal to 100 percent of the contract price. Contractors are required to maintain comprehensive insurance coverage, including worker's compensation, public liability, property damage, and automobile liability with specified minimum limits, and must submit weekly certified payroll documentation to ensure compliance with federal wage requirements. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the procurement documents; however, bidders must be capable of managing complex civil construction projects involving timber bridge reconstruction, environmental restoration, and multi-modal trail development. While a specific budget or award value is not stated in the procurement documents, the project's scope, federal funding through TAP, required insurance coverage, and performance bond requirements suggest a substantial contract value appropriate for experienced, pre-qualified Wisconsin Department of Transportation contractors.