The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC), on behalf of Jacob’s Ladder Trail Scenic Byway, Inc., invites sealed Bids for the Blanche Barlow Acres Recreational Access Project in the town of Lee, Massachusetts. The project includes the demolition and removal of an existing vacant home and the construction of a new driveway and gravel parking area, installation of a retaining wall and guardrail, and the creation of a small picnic area. This project is being administered by the PVPC and funded by a grant from the Federal Highway Administration and Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). The estimated construction cost for this project is approximately $175,000.

Contract documents, including plans and specifications will be available electronically beginning November 16, 2016 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM through the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC), 60 Congress Street, 1st Floor, Springfield, MA 01104, phone: 413-781-6045. Electronic copies may be obtained by contacting Erica Johnson at ejohnson@pvpc.org.

Bids shall be accompanied by a bid deposit in the amount of 5% of the greatest possible bid amount, considering all alternatives and made payable to PVPC.

Bidders must be prequalified with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

Bids are also subject to the provisions and minimum wage rates as required by M.G.L. c.30, §39M as amended, and M.G.L. c.149, §§26 to 27H, inclusive. All applicable Federal minimum wage rates and applicable Federal labor standards shall also apply pursuant to the Davis-Bacon Act. When both State and Federal wage rates are applicable, the higher rate must be paid.

The Awarding Authority requires that all bidders show a good faith effort in providing opportunities to eligible, bona fide minority and women owned and controlled businesses. Bidders must demonstrate compliance with the Federal Minority and Women’s Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE) policy regarding utilization of MBEs and WBEs in order to be deemed a responsible bidder. The desired goal as feasible for MBE/WBE participation is a combined 10.4% of the contact price.

Bids may be changed or withdrawn prior to the bid opening, but not within the sixty (60) days subsequent to the bid opening, by submission of such a change in writing in a sealed envelope, identifying the submitting party and indicating that it contains a correction of the bid for the Blanche Barlow Acres Recreational Access Project.

The lowest qualified responsible bidder shall be awarded the contract subject to availability of funds under the grant program. The PVPC may cancel this Invitation for Bid (IFB), in whole or in part, at any time that such an act is deemed in its best interest, reserves the right to waive any informality in the bidding or to reject any and all bids in total or in part as may be deemed to serve the best interest of PVPC and will not be responsible for any costs incurred by a bidder in preparing and submitting a bid in response to this IFB.

Questions regarding the bid specifications should be directed to Erica Johnson at the PVPC, 413-781-6045 or ejohnson@pvpc.org. There is no pre-bid meeting. The project is located at 1310 Cape Street (State Route 20) in Lee, Massachusetts.

Bids must be received at the office of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission no later than 2:00 PM on Wednesday, December 7, 2016. Bids will be opened and read at that time.