INVITATION TO BID
 
Sealed proposals will be received by the Orleans Levee District / Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority – East, Engineering Department, 6920 Franklin Avenue, Administration Building, New Orleans, Louisiana 70122 or send electronically to Central Bidding from http://www.centralauctionhouse.com until 2:00 p.m., ­Thursday, May 6th, 2021 opened and publicly read aloud for:
OLD PROJECT NO. O3000066
SLFPA – EAST
Franklin Ave Facility – Fire Protection System Improvements
 
Bids received after the above specified time will not be considered.
 
The work of this contract includes the installation of a new package fire pump system, backflow prevention system, and valve box. The package fire pump system will be delivered and tied into the existing fire loop to provide pressure to the existing sprinkler system at the SLFPA-EAST Franklin Avenue Facility. Existing fire pump system components and the water storage tank will be demolished. The work also includes electrical improvements, fire alarm improvements, and fire system mechanical improvements inside the facility.
 
Electronic copies of the Bid Documents for this project are available without charge and without deposit online at Central Bidding from www.centralauctionhouse.com. 
 
Drawings, specifications and contract documents may be examined and obtained at the office of Digital Engineering & Imaging, Inc. 527  West Esplanade Ave. Suite 200, Kenner, Louisiana 70065, Phone (504) 468-6129 upon deposit of $150.00 for each set of documents.   Deposit on the first set is fully refundable to all bonafide prime Bidders upon return of the documents, in good condition, no later than ten (10) days after receipt of bids.   Fifty percent of the deposit of all other sets of documents will be refunded upon return of documents, in good condition, no later than ten (10) days after receipt of bids, as stated above.
 
Bidders are invited to attend a Mandatory Pre-Bid Conference at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 22nd, 2021, in the Meeting Hall located in Franklin Avenue Administration/Engineering Building at 6920 Franklin Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70122.  Bids shall be accepted only from those bidders who attend the Pre-Bid Conference in its entirety.  Names and copies of photo identification cards will be taken during the Pre-Bid Conference to coordinate security access for the Jobsite Visit
 
A Mandatory jobsite visit will be conducted by Orleans Levee District on Thursday, April 22nd, 2021 immediately following the Pre-Bid Conference beginning at the Orleans Levee District / Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority – East at 6920 Franklin Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70122.  Participation in the jobsite visit is mandatory.  The visit will facilitate access to project features that may not otherwise be accessible to prospective bidders. 
 
Contact Rusty Kennedy at 504-286-3175 if directions are needed to the Mandatory Pre-Bid Conference or the Jobsite Visit. 
 
The Owner reserves the right to reject any and all bids for just cause.  In accordance with LA. R. S. 38:2212 (A) (1) (b), the provisions and requirements of this Section, those stated in the advertisement for bids, and those required on the bid form shall not be considered as informalities and shall not be waived by any public entity.
 
Bids may be submitted electronically or on paper.  Paper bids shall be delivered to Orleans Levee District at the address listed above in accordance with the Instructions to Bidders.  Electronic bids and electronic bid bonds must be submitted through Central Bidding from  www.centralauctionhouse.com.  Additional information regarding electronic bidding is included in the Instruction to Bidders. 
 
All bids must be accompanied by bid security equal to five (5%) of the sum of the base bid and all alternates, and must be in the form of a certified check, cashier’s check or Bid Bond Form written by a surety company licensed to do business in Louisiana, signed by the surety’s agency or attorney-in-fact. Surety must be listed on the current U. S. Department of the Treasury Financial Management Service list of approved bonding companies as approved for an amount equal to or greater than the amount for which it obligates itself in the Bond, or must be a Louisiana domiciled insurance company with at least an A – rating in the latest printing of the A.M. Best’s Key Rating Guide. If surety is qualified by virtue of its Best’s listing, the amount of the Bond may not exceed ten (10%) percent of policyholders’ surplus as shown in the latest A.M. Best’s Key Rating Guide. The Bid Bond shall be in favor of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority - East and shall be accompanied by appropriate power of attorney. No Bid Bond indicating an obligation of less than five (5%) by any method is acceptable.
 
Bids shall be accepted from Contractor’s who are licensed under LA. R. S. 37:2150-2163 for the classification of Building Construction [Major Classification]. Bidder is required to comply with provisions and requirements of LA. R.S.38:2212. Bids may be withdrawn by the bidder due to errors if done within 48 hours of bid opening by affidavit in accordance with LA. R. S. 38:2214.
 
Other documentation not provided with the bid, but that is required by LA R.S. 38:2212, the Owner, or the specifications, must be furnished by the low bidder within ten (10) calendar days after the bid opening.  Such documentation shall be supplied as originals (no copies).  Failure to provide this information and documentation within ten (10) calendar days after bid opening will be grounds for disqualification on grounds that the bidder is not a “responsible bidder”.  This information and documentation includes, but is not limited to, the non-collusion affidavit, non-conviction affidavit, list of licensed sub-contractors, and employment verification affidavit.  However, the payment and performance bond must be supplied upon contract signing.  Note that, although these instructions list specific items that are required, it is solely the bidder’s responsibility to stay abreast of changes in public bid law and to ensure compliance with LA R.S. 38:2212 and all other statues related to public bid law. 
 
The successful Bidder shall be required to furnish a Performance and Payment Bond written as described in the Instructions to Bidders. 
 
The Orleans Levee District encourages, to the extent feasible, participation by minority and woman-owned businesses in all bids and proposals for goods and services. It also encourages the structuring of major projects into categories which may be commensurate with the capabilities of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, and actively encourages major prime contractors to provide opportunities for these businesses to become involved as subcontractors.

Additional Notes/Requirements

Bidders are invited to attend a Mandatory Pre-Bid Conference at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 22nd, 2021, in the Meeting Hall located in Franklin Avenue Administration/Engineering Building at 6920 Franklin Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70122.