Notice of Bid/Request for Proposal

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
Division of Administration
Construction of Building Facilities at the Arcadia Forestry Center

INVITATION TO BID

As a Contractor, you are invited to submit a bid to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Forestry, hereinafter referred to as Owner, for the construction of building facilities at Arcadia  Forestry Center, located 3-miles west of Arcadia on Highway 70, DeSoto County, Florida. The Project Budget is estimated at: $330,000.00.

The Department is seeking a Contractor for the construction of building facilities at the Arcadia Forestry Center, which includes (1) Administrative Building, 1,200 square feet, single-story frame construction, and (1) 2,500 square foot, pre-engineered metal equipment shed, with storage area and mezzanine, and site work. The Contractor shall provide all materials, labor, equipment and inspection fees necessary for the construction of building facilities in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Invitation to Bid.

PROJECT NAME AND LOCATION: Arcadia Forestry Center, located 3-miles west of Arcadia on Highway 70, DeSoto County, Florida.

SOLICITATION DOCUMENT: The entire solicitation document, which includes specifications, may be viewed and downloaded from the Vendor Bid System at http://myflorida.com, click on Business, Doing Business with the State of Florida, Everything for Vendors and Customers, Vendor Bid System, Search Advertisements, Bid Number ITB/DF-07/08-73, or by calling the Purchasing Office at (850)487-3727. Plan Room Services, Bid Assistance Companies, or subcontractors will need to obtain plan sets directly from Shawn Systma at (850)488-6399, Division of Forestry, 3125 Conner Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, at a cost of $50.00 per set. Contractors may contact the Myakka District Forestry Office, Vicki Lehman, 4723 53rd Avenue E., Bradenton, Florida 34203, (941)751-7627, for the plans and specifications prior to the mandatory pre-bid conference.

MANDATORY PRE-BID CONFERENCE/SITE VISIT:  Each bidder must, before submitting a bid, attend the mandatory pre-bid conference/site visit. The pre-bid conference/site visit will be held on Wednesday, May 7, 2008, 10:30 a.m., at the Arcadia Forestry Center, 3-miles west of Arcadia on Highway 70, DeSoto County, Florida. During the pre-bid conference a site visit will be held for prospective bidders. It is the bidders' responsibility to consider any and all site conditions or requirements for the project. Plans and specifications will be available to Contractors at the mandatory pre-bid conference/site visit at no charge.

PUBLIC ENTITY CRIME INFORMATION STATEMENT: A person or affiliate who has been placed on the convicted vendor list following a conviction for a public entity crime may not submit a bid on a contract to provide any goods or services to a public entity, may not submit a bid on a contract with a public entity for the construction or repair of a public building or public work, may not submit bids on leases of real property to a public entity, may not be awarded or perform work as a contractor, supplier, subcontractor, or consultant under a contract with any public entity, and may not transact business with any public entity in excess of the threshold amount provided in Section 287.017, F.S., for Category Two for a period of 36 months from the date of being placed on the convicted vendor list.

DISCRIMINATION; DENIAL OR REVOCATION FOR THE RIGHT TO TRANSACT BUSINESS WITH PUBLIC ENTITIES: An entity or affiliate who had been placed on the discriminatory vendor list may not submit a bid on a contract to provide any goods or services to a public entity, may not submit a bid on a contract with a public entity for the construction or repair of a public building or public work, may not submit bids on leases of real property to a public entity, may not be awarded or perform work as a contractor, supplier, subcontractor, or consultant under a contract with any public entity, and may not transact business with any public entity.

PERFORMANCE BOND AND LABOR AND MATERIAL PAYMENT BOND: If the construction contract award amount is $100,000.00 or less, a Performance Bond and a Labor and Material Payment Bond are not required.

Sealed bids will be received, publicly opened and read aloud on:

DATE AND TIME: June 6, 2008, 2:00 p.m.

PLACE: Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 407 S. Calhoun Street, Room SB8, Mayo Building, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, (850)487-3727.

CONTRACT AWARD: The official Notice of Award Recommendation will be by electronic posting at http://fcn.state.fl.us/owa_vbs/owa/vbs_www.main_menu. Failure to file a protest within the time prescribed in Section 120.57(3), Florida Statutes, shall constitute a waiver of proceedings under Chapter 120, Florida Statutes. If no protest is filed the contract will be awarded to the qualified, responsive low bidder in accordance with Chapter 60D-5, F.A.C., by the Owner.