INVITATION TO BID
Hillside Sport Court, Playground & Site Improvements
BID NUMBER: 26-99198
BIDS DUE: Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 2:00 PM CT
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The City of Duluth is seeking a contractor to construct a new
sport court, playground and make various site improvements at Hillside Sport Court Park.
ANTICIPATED START DATE: June 1, 2026
SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION DATE: September 15, 2026
FINAL COMPLETION DATE: October 1, 2026
PRE-BID MEETING: A virtual pre-bid meeting will be held at 11:00 AM CT on Thursday,
February 26, 2026. The link for this meeting will be posted on the City’s purchasing site.
https://www.duluthmn.gov/purchasing/bids-request-for-proposals/
QUESTIONS: Please submit any questions or substitution requests regarding this project via e-
mail to purchasing@duluthmn.gov. Responses will be issued as an addendum to this solicitation.
Deadline to submit questions is Friday, March 6, 2026.
The selected contractor will be issued a construction contract (draft included in the Standard
City Contracting Forms in the BidExpress solicitation). Notice to Proceed will be issued once
the agreement is fully executed.
Specifications may be viewed and downloaded at no cost at www.bidexpress.com. Bidders must
create a free account with Bid Express®; and login to search for city projects (search by “City of
Duluth” or bid number). Bid Express® does charge a nominal fee for bid submission. More
information can be found at https://www.infotechinc.com/bidding.
Proposal forms, contract documents, plans and specifications may also be on file at the following
offices: Minnesota Builder's Exchange, and Builder’s Exchange of Wisconsin.
INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS
Bids must be submitted electronically through Bid Express® at www.bidexpress.com. Bid surety
in the amount of 5% of the total bid must be submitted with each bid. Bid bonds may be submitted
electronically, either through Surety2000 or Tinubu within the Bid Express solicitation, or emailed
to purchasing@duluthmn.gov. Paper bid bonds, certified checks or bank drafts payable to the
City of Duluth may be mailed or dropped off at City Hall, 411 W. 1st Street, Room 120, Duluth, MN
55802. Regardless of the method of submission, bid surety must be received by Purchasing prior
to the bid opening.
The City Purchasing Agent or her designee will conduct a public bid opening immediately after
the deadline for receiving bids. Bidders may view the opening by going to the Purchasing web
page (https://www.duluthmn.gov/purchasing/bids-request-for-proposals/) and selecting the
appropriate link.
No alternatives to the specification will be considered unless specifically requested. Erasures or
other changes to the bid must be initialed and dated, however no special conditions shall be made
or included in the bid form by the bidder
.
The City of Duluth reserves the right to split the award where there is a substantial savings to the
City, to waive informalities and to reject any and all bids. Price may not be the only consideration
for bid award. Bids must be firm for a minimum of 60 days.
Please note that the following requirements also apply to this project, and any additional
required documents must be submitted prior to award/contract execution.
1. Insurance – Contractor must provide proof of Public Liability and Automobile Liability
Insurance with limits not less than $1,500,000 Single Limit prior to the commencement of work.
The City of Duluth must be named as an additional insured. Please refer to the draft Contract,
Section 8.
2. Performance & Payment Bonds – The awarded contractor will be required to submit
performance and payments bonds in the full amount of the project cost prior to award.
3. Project Labor Agreement (PLA) - A PLA will be required for any bid that is over or could
virtually go over $150,000. A copy of the City standard PLA is included in this package.
4. Community Benefits Provisions - A Community Benefits Best Efforts Plan will be required
for any project that includes a PLA. The required form is included in the bid package, as well as
a link to additional community benefits information, including the program specifications and a
process flowchart.
5. Out of State Contractor - Unless a State of Minnesota Certificate of Exemption is provided,
any out-of-state bidder receiving a bid award will have 8% retained from invoice payments on any
contracts over $50,000. Submit a signed copy of the signed exemption form when submitting
Payment and Performance Bonds. This form may be found at:
https://www.minnstate.edu/system/finance/facilities/design-
construction/pm_emanual/doc/DIV00%204547%20SDE%20Form%20Exhibit%20B%204-12-
19.pdf
6. Prevailing Wage - Not less than the minimum salaries and prevailing wages as set
forth in the contract documents must be paid on this project.
The City of Duluth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Contractor shall comply with all applicable
Equal Employment Opportunity laws and regulations.
CITY OF DULUTH
Patrice Stalvig