Automatic Fire Alarm Equipment – Inspection, Testing and Repair at Various Locations

CAMBRIDGEHOUSINGAUTHORITY

PURCHASINGDEPARTMENT

INVITATION TO BID

AutomaticFire AlarmEquipment– Inspection, Testing and Repair

at VariousLocations

The Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA), the Owner and Managing Agent for its affiliate properties, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, invites sealed bids for Automatic Fire Alarm Equipment – Inspection, Testing and Repair at Various Locations, in Cambridge, MA in accordance with the specifications as written by the Cambridge Housing Authority.

The awarded contractor will be responsible for providing the CHA with the inspection and testing of all Cambridge Housing Authority’s fire alarm systems in compliance with the Massachusetts General Laws; current best practices as outlined in the most recent version of the NFPA27: National Fire Alarm Code; and adherence to Commonwealth of Massachusetts Fire Prevention Regulations 527CMR. Contractors shall carry the replacement cost of detectors, including labor and materials, in their bids.

The work will include, but not be limited to:

• Annual inspection and testing of every fire alarm panel, smoke detector, heat detector, and all devices connected to fire alarm
• Certification of testing to
• Maintenance repair service for the systems and equipment covered by the specifications; and
• Replacement of detective smoke and heat detectors and any ADA sensory impaired signaling devices within 24 hours of

The not-to-exceed value of this contract is $500,000.00. The term of this contract will be for a period of three years, or until the funds are fully expended, whichever occurs first. The category for which the General Bidder must be DCAMM-certified is Alarm Systems.  Contractors must be in business as a corporation or company for a minimum of five (5) years in order to be eligible.  General Bids will be accepted from bidders only when accompanied by a Certificate of Eligibility and an Update Statement (DCAMM Forms CQ7 and CQ3.) Bids will be subject to M.G. L. c.149 Section 44A to J inclusive and to the Davis Bacon Wage Determination rates.

Bid forms and contract documents will be available at www.procore.com on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, after 10:00 AM (may be downloaded and viewed electronically).

Any contractor wishing to visit the developments, please contact Rocky Ludger, Senior Purchasing Agent, at 617-520-6220 or email: firealarmbid@cambridge-housing.org to make arrangements.  Each bidder is encouraged to visit the site of the proposed work and become fully acquainted with the conditions as they exist in order to fully understand conditions, restrictions, and difficulties attending the execution of the work under this contract.  By submitting a bid, the bidder warrants that he has examined the site and specifications, and the specifications are adequate, and the required result can be produced under the specifications.  No increase in the contract sum nor claim for damages due to delay will be permitted as a result of the contractor’s failure to accomplish any or all of these requirements.

THIS PROJECT IS BEING ELECTRONICALLY BID AND HARD COPY BIDS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED BY THE AWARDING AUTHORITY.  Bids must be electronically submitted at www.procore.com .  Additional instructions to complete the other bid forms are accessible on the Procore website.  If you need to contact the Cambridge Housing Authority on any other bidding issues, please contact

The deadline for General Bidder questions shall be submitted by Thursday, October 9, 2025, by 2:00PM.  Questions received after the above deadlines may not be considered by the Awarding Authority. No interpretations of the meaning of the specifications, or other pre-bid documents shall be made to any bidder orally.  Every request for such interpretation must be in writing to: firealarmbid@cambridge-housing.org

Every General Bid shall be accompanied by a Bid Deposit in the form of a certified check, bid bond, treasurer’s or cashier’s check issued by a responsible bank or trust company, in the amount of 5% of the not-to-exceed value of this contract and made payable to the Cambridge Housing Authority.  The bid security shall secure the execution of the contract and the furnishing of a Payment Bond and Performance Bond in the amount of 100% of the contract value by the successful General Bidder as specified in the Contract Documents.  All general bids are subject to Chapter 149, Section 44A to J inclusive to Prevailing and Davis Bacon Wage Rates. All other applicable state laws, municipal ordinances, and rules and regulations of all authorities having jurisdiction over construction of the project shall apply to the contract throughout and will be deemed to be included in the contract as if written out in full.

Bids will be subject to M.G. L. c.149 Section 44A to J inclusive and to the Davis Bacon Wage Determination Rates.   The wages paid to all employees on this project shall not be less than the Davis Bacon Wage Determination rates referenced in the Project Specification.

All bids should be submitted electronically online at www.procore.com and received no later than Friday, October 17, 2025, by 2:00 PM.  Every bid shall be accompanied by a Bid Deposit not less than five (5%) of the greatest possible bid amount and made payable to the Cambridge Housing Authority.

The time of acceptance of the bid by the Cambridge Housing Authority is 30 days from the date of the bid opening.  The award of the contract will be based on the responsive and responsible bidder offering to perform the contract at the lowest price.  In the event of a tie, the contractors will be invited to the Purchasing Department for a random drawing of names which will determine who the contract is awarded to.  The award of the contract is conditioned on approval by the Cambridge Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners.  The contract is subject to the appropriation of adequate funds and may be cancelled in the event such funds are not available.

The Awarding Authority reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive any informality in the bidding if it is in the public interest to do so.  The Cambridge Housing Authority also reserves the right to reject the bids if less than three bids are received.

Rock-Andral Ludger, Senior Purchasing Agent