INVITATION TO BID
Lakewood Water Treatment Plant Power Improvements - Transformer
BID NUMBER: 24-99350
BIDS DUE: Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at 2:00 PM
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The work under this contract is to provide pad mounted liquid filled
transformers for operation of the Lakewood Water Treatment Plant Power System. This equipment will
be part of the upgrades to the electrical service at the Lakewood Water Treatment Plant.
QUESTIONS: Please submit any questions 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 DATE.
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. 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
4. 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
Purchasing Agent