Request for Qualifications from General Contractors

Overview

Max Higbee Center (the Owner) is soliciting interested General Contractors to submit their qualifications to provide construction services for a new location for the Max Higbee Center. This will be a remodeling project in an existing downtown Bellingham building. The Owner intends to enter into a negotiated construction contract with a selected contractor for this project.  

RFQ Submission

Interested firms are asked to complete the required documentation and submit them electronically to the owner’s specified email. The owner will select the most qualified firm to participate in the final design, construction pricing, permitting, and to perform General Contractor services to see this project to its successful completion.

Part I. Project Description

Max Higbee Center is a nonprofit entity providing recreation programs for teens and adults with developmental disabilities.  The Center is seeking to locate to a fully-accessible facility that meets the needs of program participants and allows for diverse social activities including art projects, exercise classes, games, book clubs and celebrations.

The Center is in final negotiations for a long-term lease at a new location at 1400 North State Street. The current configuration of the approximately 5,000 square foot building will require removal of several non-bearing walls, construction of new walls and several new offices, construction of two ADA restrooms, new floor coverings, electrical upgrades including all new energy efficient light fixtures, and installation of new cabinetry and shelving. 

Max Higbee Center has retained Jon Martin Consulting to assist with project development, and has limited access to a volunteer architect for project development. The selected general contractor is expected to work with the Owner and design team in a collaborative way throughout the design and development phase of the project to include cost estimating, constructability review, and generally to help ensure a successful project. 

1. The project is subject to Minority or Women Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) participation, The GC will be required to conduct outreach and solicitation of MWBE subcontractors for all contractors of $50,000 or greater and to report on the efforts. 
2. Contractors/Subcontractors will comply with Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Act of 1968.  Solicitation of Section 3 businesses is required for any contracts or subcontracts of $100,000 or more.
3. The project is subject to Federal Davis-Bacon Labor Standards and Washington State Prevailing Wage requirements.  The higher of the two commercial rates for each labor category will be required to be paid.
4. The selected GC will be expected to provide a letter from a bonding company indicating the ability of the GC to secure a bond equal to the total construction budget for the project.

Contract Information:

The Owner has approved the negotiated approach to the selection of a General Contractor for this project. The GC will advise on issues related to design/build systems, value engineering, constructability, schedule, and cost.  Upon completion of design, the General Contractor will competitively bid the job to subcontractors, and will enter into a stipulated sum contract with the Owner to perform all work necessary for construction of the project per approved plans and specifications.

Project Budget:

The construction budget, not including sales tax, is estimated at approximately $400,000 to $550,000. This amount includes all pre-construction services to be provided by the General Contractor. Funding sources include various private donations and may include City of Bellingham Community Development Block Grant funds. The Owner will require that Washington State commercial prevailing wages and Federal Davis-Bacon wages are paid on the project

Project Schedule:

General Contractor Application:  please submit the following documents electronically to: maxhigbee@gmail.com on or before Noon on 08/28/19.

For more information please see: PDF

If you have any questions, please submit them to Kait Whiteside, Executive Director at maxhigbee@gmail.com.