ANR Fire Tower Improvements at Bear Hill & Burke Mountain

Location:	Vermont
Posted:	Oct 18, 2024
Due:	Nov 22, 2024
Agency:	State Government of Vermont
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	Y - Construction of Structures and Facilities Z - Maintenance, Repair or Alteration of Real Property
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

ANR Fire Tower Improvements at Bear Hill & Burke Mountain	Request Date: 10/18/2024 10:04:33 AM Open Date: Closing Date: 11/22/2024 4:30 PM Intent To Bid Deadline: Est. Dollar Value: $0.00 RFQ Number:
Buildings & General Svs, Office of Purchasing & Contracting 133 State Street, 5th Floor Montpelier , VT 05633-8000

Bid Type:
Request for Proposal

Locations:
Caledonia, Orange
Keywords:
Construction (Non Building), General Contractor

Bid Description:
STATE OF VERMONT
Department of Buildings & General Services
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES
FORESTS, PARKS AND RECREATION
FIRE TOWER IMPROVEMENTS AT
BEAR HILL AND BURKE MOUNTAIN
BROOKFIELD AND BURKE, VERMONT
OCTOBER 2024
INVITATION TO BID
DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS AND GENERAL SERVICES
STATE OF VERMONT
Contractors are invited to bid on the Fire Tower Improvements at Bear Hill and Burke Mountain for Buildings and
General Services on behalf of the Agency of Natural Resources – Forests, Parks and Recreation in Burke and
Brookfield, Vermont.
This project consists of, but is not limited to:
The contractor shall implement designed improvements at the Bear Hill and Burke Mountain fire towers in
accordance with the typical plans and specifications detailed below.
The contractor shall prior to executing work determine if the work can be executed directly from the plans or
if modifications are necessary.
Necessary improvements by tower are listed in the attached assessment report titled “Vermont State Lands
Fire Tower Structural Assessment Report”. Typical designs for the additional safety elements are described
in a plan set titled “Fire Tower Upgrades”, both developed by Engineering Ventures (hereinafter called EV).
If modifications are necessary, the contractor shall engage the State’s engineer and in cooperation with that
engineer develop specific solutions for approval by the State and then execute the modified improvements.
The contract shall include a contingency amount to address necessary changes to the design as described
above. The contingency shall be set at 10 % of the lump sum bid price as submitted.
The contingency shall not be a guaranteed payment amount but shall be available to address minor changes
in scope and materials due directly to deviations between the designs and physical conditions on site. Payment
from the contingency shall only be available following written pre-approval by the state.
The bidder shall bid on the project assuming direct application of the standard design.
Specific Improvements
The state has selected two fire towers for initial treatment - Bear Hill and Burke Mountain. Treatment will
include all structural and maintenance items noted for those towers in the report. The referenced report covers
all State Fire Towers, this scope of work applies to the two towers detailed below. Work that has already been
accomplished is noted in the report in red.
Bear Hill, located in Brookfield, Vermont and Burke, located in Burke, Vermont. The scope of repairs for
each tower are described below. The additional safety elements developed have typical designs developed by
EV and fall into the following categories: fencing (between railing and stair treads and at platform corners),
cab railing alongside stairwell opening, and lightning protection.
Both Locations:
1. Lightning Protection
Contractor shall install lightning protection as described in S-2.5 in the plan set “Fire Tower Upgrades”.
2. Fencing
Contractor shall install fencing between all stair railings and steps and in all corner platforms as
described in the plan set “Fire Tower Upgrades”. The product described in the drawing set can produce
sharp edges where the galvanization has dried improperly. Contractor will be responsible for sanding
any sharp edges formed by galvanization or finding a product that has the same specifications but does
not produce sharp edges as the galvanization dries. If a comparable product is identified it will need to
be approved by FPR.
3. Painting
Both towers will be repainted. The contractor will be responsible for cleaning and repainting all steel
elements including the frame, stair stringers, railings, window frames, and the interior and exterior of
the cab sheet metal siding and roofing. All elements will be power washed prior to paint application.
Paint will be color matched to existing grey used on the fire towers, the same paint color will be used at
all locations. Paint will be anodic self-priming paint, Super Therm brand or state approved equivalent.
Bear Hill Fire Tower:
1. Metal Grating
Bear Hill currently has metal grating as stair treads and as the corner platforms. This grating will
be left in place. The lowest two sections of stair treads will need to be structurally reinforced
per the plans shown in S-2.4 in the plan set “Fire Tower Upgrades”.
2. Cab Flooring
• Bear Hill cab flooring will be replaced. Cab flooring shall be two layers. A subfloor of #2
grade or better, 2-inch thickness (nominal), width dimension to match existing. Pressure
treated meeting AWPA UC Category UC3B, UC4A, UC4B, or UC4C. Top layer shall be #1
grade or better 1-inch thick (nominal) width dimension to match subfloor, Pressure
treated meeting AWPA UC Category UC3B, UC4A, UC4B, or UC4C. Top layer shall be
installed perpendicular to sub flooring. All new hardware will be required for replaced
elements.
• Contractor shall engage with the State’s engineer to ensure compatibility of preservative
type with tower material via treatment material selection, isolation, or both.
3. Cab Stairwell Railing System
Cab stairwell railing system shall be replaced as described in S-2.3 in the plan set “Fire
Tower Upgrades”. Bear Hill has an existing cab stairwell railing system that will need to be
removed. It will be the contractor’s responsibility to remove this existing cab stairwell railing
system and dispose offsite in accordance with all state laws and regulations.
4. General Maintenance
Remaining operable cab window to be bolted shut.
Burke Mountain Fire Tower:
1. Metal Grating
Burke Mountain fire tower has recently had steps and corner platforms replaced. There will be no
replacement of these elements with metal grating at this time.
2. Cab Stairwell Railing
Cab stairwell railing system will be installed are described in S-2.3 in the plan set “Fire Tower
Upgrades”.
3. General Maintenance
• Replace bolt missing at the column splice connection at Level 2 at the northeast corner
with ASTM A325 HDG bolt with lock washer and heavy hex nut. Bolt assumed to be ¾” dia.
x 1 ½” length but could not be reached to verify in field.
• Replace the bolts that were used to add the (2) steel tubes to the side of the frame with HDG
ASTM A325 bolts of diameter and length to match existing, (8) total. Remove the two tubes.
Optional Add Alternate Scope of Work – The State may elect to award the following scope in this contract.
1. Cab Stairwell Railing Installations
Cab stairwell railing systems are described in S-2.3 in the plan set “Fire Tower Upgrades”. These
railing systems will be installed at the following fire towers: Spruce Mountain, Elmore Mountain,
Okemo Mountain, Bald Mountain, and Mt. Olga.
Okemo Mountain has existing cab stairwell railing systems that will need to be removed and replaced
in accordance with fire tower upgrade specifications. It will be the contractor’s responsibility to
remove these older cab stairwell railing systems and dispose offsite in accordance with all state laws
and regulations.
Sealed Bids accompanied by proper Bid Security will be received by email to the Department of Buildings and
General Services at BGS.VTBids@vermont.gov until November 22, 2024, at 4:30 PM.
Documents may be obtained from Blueprints Etc, 20 Farrell Street, South Burlington VT 05403, by phone at 802-
865-4503, by fax at 802-865-0027 or email to: orders@blueprintsetc.com. Project Manuals and Plans are available
for preview at: http://www.blueprintsetc.com in the Public Plan Room. Any and all notifications, releases and
addendums associated with this project will be posted at http://www.blueprintsetc.com. There is a non-refundable
fee for each set of documents purchased.
Fee to Include one (1) Hard Copy & one (1) Digital CD-ROM Copy: $TBD
1. Please be advised that all notifications, releases, and addendums associated with this RFP will be
posted on-line in the plan room where the original solicitation resides unless otherwise
determined that a hard copy is necessary. The state will make no attempt to contact contractors
with updated information. It is the responsibility of each contractor to periodically check the
posting site for any and all notifications, releases and addendums associated with the RFP.
2. NOTE: On occasion hard copy addendums may be required due to size or type of media/requirements.
If applicable and as determined by the Department of Buildings and General Services, addendums that
require hard copy distribution, a copy of such addenda will be mailed or delivered for each set of plans
and specifications issued to the bidders, prior to the bid date. However, it is the responsibility of the
bidder to be sure they have received all addenda and must so state the number of addenda they have
received on the proposal.
3. If Bidders choose to pull information from other third-party sites, Bidders’ do so at their own risk as
there is one official source of information for documents as indicated above.
There will be a mandatory pre-bid meeting at the site on November 1, 2024 at 10:00AM. Bidders are to meet at
the gate of Allis State Park located at 284 Allis State Park Road in Randolph, Vermont.
QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD: Any vendor requiring clarification of any section of this RFP or
wishing to comment or take exception to any requirements of the RFP must submit specific questions in writing
to BGS.OPCVendorDocs@vermont.gov no later than 4:30 PM on November 12, 2024. All questions should
include Fire Tower Improvements at Bear Hill and Burke Mountain Project in the subject line. Any
comments, questions, or exceptions not raised in writing on or before the last day of the question period are
waived. At the close of the question period a copy of all questions or comments and the State's responses will be
posted at http://www.blueprintsetc.com. Every effort will be made to post this information as soon as possible
after the question period ends, contingent on the number and complexity of the questions.
Bidder’s attention is directed to:
1. General Conditions for Construction Contracts. It is the Bidder’s responsibility to thoroughly read and
comply with all requirements. Please pay close attention due to changes that have been made.
2. Funding Source:
This project is being funded using federal monies (Economic Development Authority and Federal
Highway Administration – RTP) and shall require compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act. Wages shall
be paid using rates no less than those established under the Davis-Bacon prevailing wage rates.
Complete information related to Davis-Bacon and Related Acts is available
at: http://www.dol.gov/whd/contracts/dbra.htm .
SOV business users must take affirmative steps that include at least the following Socioeconomic
affirmative steps per 2 C.F.R. § 200.321:
1. Placing qualified small and minority businesses and women’s business enterprises on
solicitation lists;
2. Assuring that small and minority businesses and women’s business enterprises are solicited
whenever they are potential sources;
3. Dividing total requirements, when economically feasible, into smaller tasks or quantities to
permit maximum participation by small and minority businesses, and women’s business
enterprises;
4. Establishing delivery schedules, where the requirement permits, which encourage
participation by small and minority businesses, and women’s business enterprises;
5. Using the services and assistance, as appropriate, of such organizations as the Small
Business Administration and the Minority Business Development Agency of the
Department of Commerce; and
6. Requiring the prime/general contractor, if subcontracts are to be let, to take the same
affirmative steps as listed in numbers 1 through 5.
If a bidder requires assistance in preparing their proposal, registering with SAM.gov or needs guidance
on socioeconomic certifications, the bidder may contact the Agency of Commerce & Community
Development (ACCD), Department of Economic Development (DED), APEX Accelerator. The
Vermont APEX Accelerator (formerly the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC))
specializes in helping small businesses navigate the documentation associated with State and Federal
procurement. There is no cost to the Contractor for assistance provided by APEX Accelerator. Their
website is: https://accd.vermont.gov/economic-development/programs/ptac
3. BYRD ANTI-LOBBYING CERTIFICATION
Contractor has provided the certification required by the Byrd Anti-Lobbying Amendment, 31 U.S.C. §
1352 (as amended, and will follow the requirements for certification of each lower tier (subcontract) to
disclose any lobbying with non-federal funds that takes place in connection with obtaining any federal
award. Such disclosures will be forwarded from tier to tier up to the Contractor who in turn will forward
the certification(s) to the federal awarding agency.
4. DOMESTIC PREFERENCE FOR PROCUREMENTS
As appropriate, and to the extent consistent with law, the contractor should, to the greatest extent
practicable, provide a preference for the purchase, acquisition, or use of goods, products, or materials
produced in the United States. This includes, but is not limited to iron, aluminum, steel, cement, and
other manufactured products. For purposes of this clause: Produced in the United States means, for iron
and steel products, that all manufacturing processes, from the initial melting stage through the
application of coatings, occurred in the United States. Manufactured products mean items and
construction materials composed in whole or in part of non-ferrous metals such as aluminum; plastics
and polymer-based products such as polyvinyl chloride pipe; aggregates such as concrete; glass,
including optical fiber; and lumber.”
5. NOTICE TO BIDDERS – PROHIBITION OF RUSSIAN GOODS: The Contractor is hereby notified
that, pursuant to Vermont Executive Order No. 02-22, dated March 3, 2022, the purchase of Russiansourced
goods and goods produced by Russian entities (defined as institutions or companies that are
headquartered in Russia or have their principal place of business in Russia) is prohibited. The awarded
Contractor must fill out and sign the Executive Order 02-22 Vendor Certification as part of the Contract
awarding process. This certification is required for all subcontracts for work performed solely for the
State of Vermont and subcontracts for work performed in the State of Vermont.
6. BID SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:
a. CLOSING DATE: Bids must be received by the State by the due date specified on the front page of
this RFP. Late bids will not be considered.
i. The State may, for cause, issue an addendum to change the date and/or time when bids are
due. If a change is made, the State will inform all bidders by posting at the webpage indicated
on the front page of this RFP.
ii. There will not be a public bid opening. However, the State will record the name, city and
state for any and all bids received by the due date.
b. BID DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS:
i. ELECTRONIC: Electronic bids will be accepted.
ii. E-MAIL BIDS. Emailed bids will be accepted. Bids will be accepted via email submission to
BGS.VTBids@vermont.gov. Bids must consist of a single email with a single, digitally
searchable PDF attachment containing all components of the bid. Multiple emails and/or
multiple attachments will not be accepted. There is an attachment size limit of 40 MB. It is
the Bidder’s responsibility to compress the PDF file containing its bid, if necessary, in order
to meet this size limitation.
iii. FAX BIDS: Faxed bids will not be accepted.
iv. PAPER BIDS: Paper format bids will not be accepted.
7. Full Bonding is required for this job.
8. CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR EVALUATION FORM: The Department of Buildings and
General Services (BGS) may require contractor evaluations on construction projects over $100,000 or at the
discretion of the BGS Director. Evaluations will be used to compile a contractor’s performance on BGS
projects to provide a history and assessment of the contractor’s performance.
9. It is the Bidder’s responsibility to thoroughly read and comply with all instructions and requirements of
this bid solicitation.

Special Instructions:

Contact Information:
	James Meyers Phone: (802) 828-2211 Fax: Email: BGS.OPCVendorDocs@vermont.gov For additional information: www.blueprintsetc.com

Bid Attachments:


Site Visit:	Date: 11/1/2024 10:00:00 AM	Mandatory Site Visit
THIS IS A MANDATORY PRE-BID! Please meet at the gate of Allis State Park at 284 Allis State Park Road, Randolph, VT