The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Caribbean Area, requires a general contractor to perform various office improvements at two offices in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico

Mitchell J. Thomas, Contract Specialist, e-mail Mitchell.Thomas@USDA.gov for a copy of the solicitation

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Caribbean Area, requires a general contractor

to perform various office improvements at two offices in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, in alignment with the

standards outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

The USDA NRCS Offices in Mayaguez are located at 2200 Pedro Albizu Campos Avenue, Apartments 22,

23 & 24, Mayaguez, PR, 00680 (18.2098885, -67.1386830). The two locations are adjacent to each other,

within the Tropical Agricultural Research Station at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus

(UPR Mayaguez).

The USDA-NRCS Caribbean Area seeks to enhance accessibility within the NRCS Mayagüez Field Office

(Apartment 22) and Ecological Sciences Office (Apartment 23) in alignment with the standards outlined

in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. These enhancements are

essential to ensure that employees and customers with disabilities have equitable access to key areas of

the facility, including restrooms, emergency exit routes, and designated parking spaces.

The scope of this requirement includes but is not limited to: (1) Ensuring appropriate door clearance; (2)

Adjusting the configuration and functionality of restroom layouts, including the removal, disposal,

replacement, and re-installation of components such as vanities, toilets, bathtubs, and wall finishes; (3)

Installation of compliant signage; (4) Ensuring safe and accessible emergency exit ramps, walkways and

designated parking space that meet ADA standards.

Design development is also included as part of this effort to support ADA-compliant outcomes. Design

development is an integral component of this effort, aimed at ensuring all enhancements align with the

standards set forth by the ADA. This phase will involve the planning and refinement of accessible

features, such as clearances, layouts, signage, and routes, with careful attention to usability, safety, and

compliance. The design process will incorporate technical specifications, spatial assessments, and

accessibility guidelines to inform effective solutions that meet legal requirements and support equitable

access for individuals with disabilities.