Notice of Bid/Request for Proposal

Sealed bids are being received from qualified contractors, by the State of Florida, Agency for Persons with Disabilities, for the following project:

PROJECT NUMBER: APD-07226240

PROJECT NAME: Chiller Plant Expansion, Tacachale (Gainesville).

BID DATE AND TIME: December 13, 2007 until 2:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time)

PLACE OF BID OPENING: Maintenance Building, Conference Room, Tacachale, 1621 N. E. Waldo Road, Bldg. 126, Gainesville, FL 32609, telephone: (352)955-5671.

BID REQUIREMENTS: Bids must be submitted in full accordance with the requirements of the drawings, specifications, bidding conditions and contractual conditions, which may be obtained from: Estrella Engineering Incorporated, 1726 Kingsley Avenue, Suite 21, Orange Park, FL 32073. Telephone: (904)269-7880; Fax: (904)269-0619. Direct e-mail inquiries to: LE@estrella-engineering.com.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Pre-bid inspection of the jobsite conditions may be arranged through the Site Contact: Michael Crockrell, Telephone: (352)955-5671.

CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS: Bidders shall be state-certified in accordance with Chapter 489, Florida Statutes, as a mechanical (Type CM) contractor, or as a Class A air conditioning (Type CA) contractor. Bidders not able to furnish proof of required certification are subject to disqualification.

CORPORATE REGISTRATION: No bid shall be accepted from any corporation which is not able to demonstrate current corporate charter registration (for a domestic corporation) or authority to transact business within the State of Florida (for a foreign corporation).

PERFORMANCE BOND AND LABOR AND MATERIAL BOND: On any construction contract for which the award amount is greater than $100,000, a Public Construction Bond shall be required.

CONTRACT AWARD: The Bid Tabulation and Notice of Award Recommendation will be posted at 4:00 p.m. on the date and at the location where the bids are opened. The Department of Children and Family Services reserves the right to reject any and all bids in the best interest of the State of Florida.

MINORITY PARTICIPATION: In accordance with Florida Statutes, the Department of Children & Families is encouraged to target certified minority business enterprises (MBEs) for 21 percent of total awarded construction contract dollar value (4% for African-American, 6% for Hispanic-American, and 11% for women-owned). The Department of Children & Families encourages minority businesses to participate in the bidding process, including any bidders conferences or pre-bid meetings which are scheduled. The Department of Children and Family Services further encourages contractors to utilize certified MBEs as subcontractors or subvendors whenever possible. An online directory of certified MBEs, available on the website of the Office of Supplier Diversity (http://osd.dms.state.fl.us /dirhome.htm), may be searched by county for construction-related products and services.