Water tower repairs

The City of Sun Prairie Building Maintenance Department is seeking bids for Columbus Street Water Tower Repairs, a restoration project for a historic water tower located at the intersection of Church Street and Cliff Street in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. The project involves comprehensive exterior and interior restoration of a 60-foot limestone tower with a steel tank, bringing its total height to 92 feet. The procurement is a Request for Bids (RFB) #25-BM05, with a mandatory walkthrough for prime contractors scheduled for March 18 or 19, 2025, and bids due on April 11, 2025, at 2:00 PM. The scope includes three potential work areas: a base bid for exterior restoration, an alternate bid for interior restoration, and a supplemental exterior project. Key deliverables involve spot-cleaning existing stone, repairing stone surfaces, applying consolidation products, repointing failed mortar, replacing windowsills and steel cross beams, and final cleaning using historic preservation practices. Bidders must demonstrate qualifications including maintaining a permanent business, having adequate equipment, suitable financial status, technical experience, and a satisfactory performance record. Evaluation will focus on the lowest responsible and responsive bidder, with the contract to be completed by December 31, 2025.

The contract does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Bidders are required to provide a 10% bid bond or certified check, and the successful contractor must submit performance and payment bonds equal to 100% of the bid amount. Insurance requirements include workers' compensation, commercial general liability, and automobile liability coverage with specific limits. The project will require compliance with federal and state OSHA requirements and potentially Davis-Bacon and Wisconsin Prevailing Wage Laws. While no specific budget range is provided in the documentation, the contract includes provisions for liquidated damages of $500 per day for project delays. The City reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to negotiate contract terms. The water tower is a locally designated landmark listed on both the National and State Registers of Historic Places, which may influence the preservation and restoration approach. Potential contractors should be prepared for a project that requires meticulous attention to historic preservation standards and detailed site management.