Whipple Bridge Deck Replacement

The Town of Buena Vista is seeking qualified contractors for the Whipple Bridge Deck Replacement Project, a procurement focused on infrastructure rehabilitation in the Buena Vista River Park. The project requires complete removal and replacement of existing timber decking and rub rails on the Whipple Trail Bridge, originally constructed in the early 1990s. Contractors must replace decking with 3x12 Douglas Fir Select Structural materials and 2x6 Douglas Fir #1 rails, with key objectives including extending the bridge's lifespan, maintaining safety, and minimizing public disruption. The Request for Proposals (RFP) was published on August 8, 2025, with proposals due by September 5, 2025, at 5 PM MST. Evaluation criteria include project understanding (25 points), project team experience (20 points), similar project experience (20 points), proposal quality (10 points), and price (25 points). The selection committee will review proposals from September 9-10, 2025, with a notice of intent to award on September 11, 2025. The project timeline anticipates work beginning the week of October 6, 2025, and completion by the week of October 20, 2025.

The procurement includes local preference provisions, with 2 points awarded to Buena Vista companies and 1 point for Chaffee County companies. No specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises were explicitly mentioned in the documentation. Contractors must submit comprehensive proposals including a cover letter, detailed project approach, firm qualifications, and contact information. The project requires infrastructure inspection and careful environmental consideration during bridge deck replacement. While a specific budget range was not disclosed, the procurement suggests a moderate-scale infrastructure project typical of small municipal improvements. The Town of Buena Vista will require the selected contractor to manage all aspects of decking removal, disposal, and replacement while adhering to local regulations and minimizing impacts to the surrounding recreational area.