Request for Quotes: Masonry Contractor for "Cold Metal Building" in Wellsburg (Updated)

The Business Development Corporation of the Northern Panhandle (“BDC”) requests proposals from qualified masonry contractors to perform work to the historic “Cold Metal Building” in Wellsburg, West Virginia. Interested contractors must submit a written or electronic proposal by 3PM on February 24th, 2023 to Anthony Clements at the Business Development Corporation via email to aclements@bhbdc.com or physically at 324A Penco Rd, Weirton, WV 26062.

The Cold Metal Building was part of the glass industry in Wellsburg. The building was constructed ca. 1890 and is the only remaining portion of the historic glass facility which once existed on the site. Work to the building will consist of repointing, infill existing holes, and repair to the east and south façades.

This project is funded in part by Preservation Alliance of West Virginia’s (“PAWV”) Saving Historic Places Grant in partnership with the Paul Bruhn Rural Revitalization Grant provided through the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. As such, the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties must be followed by the awarded contractor.

Scope of Work:

1. Remove all vegetation from block building.
2. Rebuild southwest and southeast corners where a previous building was removed to create a finished edge.
3. Rehabilitate the south and east façades including the following:
   

• a) Infill holes in exterior brick with brick that matches the color, composition, and texture of the original.
• b) Remove and relay existing brick where joints are structurally insufficient.
• c) Repoint where mortar is missing or deteriorating. Deteriorated mortar should be removed to sound mortar or a maximum depth of 3⁄4 inch.

Sourced brick should match the existing color, composition, and texture. Preferably, bricks should be sourced locally.

The mortar mix for all work performed must match the original historic mortar in color, composition, and texture and be approved in advance by PAWV in writing. The original mortar has been tested by an architectural conservator whose report is attached to the rear of this RFP.

The awarded contractor is responsible for any permits or taxes such as B&O within the City of Wellsburg. It should be noted that the City of Wellsburg’s building permit fee has been waived for this project. Moreover, the awarded contractor is responsible for all tools, labor, materials, equipment, supervision, and associated items related to the project. Finally, the awarded contractor should note the BDC is a tax-exempt entity both federally and within the State of West Virginia.

 RFP Timeline:
​January 19th, 2023: Bid Documents Sent Out 
January 26th, 2023: Mandatory Pre-Bid (Time – 1:00 p.m.) 
February 10th, 2023: Deadline for Submission of Questions 
February 17th, 2023: Addenda sent out, if necessary
February 24th, 2023: ​Proposal due by 3pm

Requirements of the Bid Submission:
A mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held: At 1:00 p.m. on January 26th, 2023 at the project site located at the corner of 6th Street and Yankee Street in Wellsburg, WV 26070. Please email aclements@bhbdc.com to register. In the event of inclement weather, the date/time for this meeting may change.

All bids must be received no later than February 24th, 2023 at 3PM. Each proposal physically submitted is to be in a sealed envelope.

The submission must include the following:

1. Letter of interest detailing previous historic preservation experience including statement that they read and understand the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation
2. Three references from three individual previous historic projects
3. Copy of State of WV Contractor’s License
4. Bid Proposal including pricing for the following items:

• a) Scope of Work Item 1
• b) Scope of Work Item 2
• c) Price per linear foot to repoint missing or deteriorating mortar
• d) Price per square foot to patch or infill holese)
• e) Price per masonry unit to source additional brick

       5. Signed addendum (if any issued during the RFP process)
       6. Certification and Signature page

Documents required after notification of Award:

1. Performance Bond
2. Payment Bond
3. Copy of City of Wellsburg Business License
4. Evidence of WV Workers’ Compensation and General Liability Insurance

Addenda and Interpretations:
Bidders are asked to direct all questions or comments to aclements@bhbdc.com. No interpretation of the meaning of the specifications or other bid documents will be made to any bidder orally. All questions by prospective bidders, including interpretations of ‘approved equal” value must be submitted in writing to aclements@bhbdc.com and received by 3PM on February 10th, 2022. Addenda will be sent to all selected bidders who are invited to submit proposals. Failure to acknowledge any addendum may result in the rejection of the bid.

Project Selection Criteria:
Contractors will be selected based on experience with similar historic preservation projects, proven ability to complete a project, and cost. All proposals must guarantee their pricing and provide 30 days for acceptance from the due date. The BDC and PAWV reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and to waive minor administrative oversights.

Qualifications of Bidder:
The Owner may make such investigations as deemed necessary to determine the ability of the bidder to perform the obligations of the contract. The bidder shall furnish to the Owner all such information and data as requested. The Owner or PAWV reserves the right to reject any bid if the investigation fails to satisfy the Owner or PAWV that a bidder is properly qualified to carry out the obligations of the Agreement.

Award of Contract:
The BDC and PAWV reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or waive any irregularity in this bid or in responses, to negotiate with all qualified sources, or to cancel, in part or in its entirety, this invitation to bid, in the best interest in the BDC or PAWV. The BDC and PAWV also reserves the right to re-advertise for proposals using the same or a different request for proposal. This invitation to bid does not commit the BDC or PAWV to award a contract or to procure or contract for services or goods.

Source of Funding:
Funds for this project are provided by the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia as awarded by the National Park Service’s Paul Bruhn grant program. All work must be approved by PAWV and the NPS prior to payment. All applicable Federal, state and local rules and regulations apply.

Payment Schedule:
Payments will be made in three installments:
1) Upon mobilization of equipment/scaffolding
2) When work is 75% complete
3) Upon completion of the work with the approval of PAWV.

The contractors will be reimbursed for services rendered up to the contract amount. All changes in scope must be pre-approved by the BDC and PAWV. Contractors will not be reimbursed for travel expenses, or any costs incurred in preparation of this proposal. The contractor will be paid in increments based on satisfactory completion of specific stages of the project. The balance will be paid after approval of the work by the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia.

Project Deadline:
The project completion date April 1, 2023 will be reviewed by the Preservation Alliance of West
Virginia.

View all of the photos and the mortar analysis in the .PDF document available for download below:

Download .PDF