Sale of Pony Truss Bridge

The City of Ames is accepting sealed bids for the purchase and removal of a surplus steel pony truss bridge structure currently stored north of SE 16th Street, directly west of the South Skunk River in Ames, Iowa.
The bridge structure is offered as surplus property and sold strictly AS - IS, WHERE - IS. The City of Ames makes no representations or warranties, expressed or implied, regarding the condition, structural integrity, load-carrying capacity, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or suitability of the structure for reuse. The City does not certify the structure for use as a bridge. Prospective buyers are solely responsible for evaluating the structure and determining its best use, whether reuse, salvage, recycling, display, or scrap.

The preferred method to submit sealed bids is in AmesBids at amesbids.ionwave.net in the format required, with the bid documents and requested data properly filled in, prior to the time and date bids are due. If technical issues occur while submitting the bid, contact the Purchasing Clerk to determine an alternate method to receive the bid. Failure to submit the required information may deem the bid non-responsive. The bid shall include acknowledgement of receipt of all addenda. Addenda numbers shall be filled in the bid response. All responses must be submitted before the deadline. No late responses will be reviewed. No buyer may withdraw their bid for at least (30) days after the scheduled closing time for receiving bids. The City of Ames reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive informalities, and to make such awards as it shall deem to be in the best interest of the City.

The bridge structure may be viewed at any time prior to the bid due date. The structure is located north of SE 16th Street and west of the South Skunk River near the Skunk River Water Trail Access. Photographs and a location map are included in the bid attachments.

It will be the responsibility of the successful buyer to remit payment in full to the City of Ames Finance Department within seven days after notification. Payment in full is required prior to removal of the bridge. Payment must be made in the Purchasing Division. Payment is to be made by: Cash, Money Order, Cashier’s Check, or Certified Check made payable to the City of Ames.
The successful buyer shall be responsible for all labor, equipment, permits, insurance, rigging, cranes, transportation, loading, hauling, disassembly, environmental compliance, and all other costs associated with removal of the structure.
The buyer shall restore any disturbed areas and repair any damage to City property, improvements, utilities, trails, access routes, vegetation, or appurtenances resulting from removal activities. Volunteer tree and overgrowth removal necessary for access shall not be considered damage. The buyer shall coordinate with Mark Gansen, Civil Engineer II, Public Works – Traffic at 515-239-5291 to coordinate the limits of the removal activity effort to ensure adjacent wetlands and large trees are protected at all times.

The structure is sold AS - IS, WHERE - IS, with all faults.
The buyer assumes all risks and liabilities associated with ownership, transportation, handling, modification, reconstruction, installation, maintenance, disposal, or reuse of the structure.
Should the buyer elect to reconstruct or reuse the structure as a bridge or for any other purpose, the City of Ames shall have no responsibility or liability for future performance, adequacy, maintenance, inspection, structural capacity, or failure of the structure.
Award will be made to the highest responsive and responsible buyer. The City reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

The reserve price set by the City of Ames for the bridge structure is $1,500.00.

Approximate dimensions:

• Overall structure length: 90 feet 7 inches

• Clear width between truss railings: 21 feet 8 inches

• Overall structure width: 23 feet 6 inches

• Overall structure height: approximately 9 feet
The structure consists of a steel pony truss bridge with no deck. Visible corrosion, section loss, weathering, and age-related deterioration are present. No structural evaluation has been performed for purposes of this sale.

The bridge was previously utilized by the City of Ames and has since been removed from service. The structure is currently stored for future disposal and is no longer needed for City operations. The City seeks the highest value disposition of the structure while transferring all responsibility for future use to the buyer.