Bid Opportunity
2080202 Req #: 105280
Replacement of Security Fences at STRI
Ancon, Province Panama, Republic of Panama
Request for Qualifications (RFQ)
The Smithsonian Institution Tropical Research Institute (“STRI”) is providing this Notice of Solicitation.
The Smithsonian will be seeking Proposals for the Replacement of Security Fences at STRI - Ancon Facility, located at Ancon, Province Panama, Republic of Panama.
The applicable North American Industry Classification Codes (“NAICS”) is 236220 Commercial and Institutional Building Construction, size standard is $45 million. This announcement is open to all businesses regardless of size. Construction Budget estimated between $500,000 to 1.2M
The Prime Contractor must comply with SAM.gov and Panama Government's requirements.
This is a Federal Funded Contract and the selected contractor must have an Unique Entity ID number and be actively registered and current in SAM System (https://sam.gov) before award.
The Company or companies must be legally registered and licensed to operate as a Construction Company in the Republic of Panama with DGI – tax entity and the “JTIA” -Junta Tecnica de Ingenieria y Arquitectura active and valid certification for at least 5 years from the date of this solicitation, be commercially and legally active at present time in the Republic of Panama, and have performed or is performing at least three (3) construction projects, with a minimum value of 1M, during the past three (3) years.
Background: Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Operation began in Panama City at Barro Colorado Island but over the years the scientific program started to grow up its research scope, taking some abandoned military buildings as basic facility infrastructure for the Institute. One of those facilities is the Center for Tropical Paleoecology and Archaeology (CTPA) housed in the historic Ancon Building, a 10-minute walk from the Tupper Complex. It is also located directly across the street from the Panamanian Supreme Court, so there occurs frequent protest near the building, some of which have been known to get violent or unruly. Also, there is a neighborhood directly adjacent to the northern property line at the lower portion of the complex near the apartments. The residents of this area frequently use the road through the STRI campus as a shortcut from the top to the bottom and vice versa. For these reasons, there is a need for installing security fencing.
The Scope of Work for this project consists in providing construction services for the Construction of a New Fence at Ancon.
The work under this project includes but is not limited to:
- Removal of existing fences.
- Construct new fences.
- Install new access control.
The Contractor shall be required to (a) commence work under this contract within 10 calendar days after the date the Contractor receives the notice to proceed, (b) prosecute the work diligently, and (c) complete the entire work ready for use in no more 86 calendar days.
Goals:
- After the project's completion, the site will have a new and adequate fence, replacing the existing one.
- The new fence will create the required protection in the entire perimeter according to the Smithsonian standards.
- The improvement will provide secure access control in both entrances of the property.
All of the requirements that the successful Offeror must meet concerning this project are set forth in detail in the Solicitation Documents included with this Request for Proposal. Upon the receipt of Proposals and the selection of a successful Offeror, the Smithsonian Institution will execute a Fixed Price construction contract.
It shall be the responsibility of the contractor to immediately notify the Smithsonian Institution if the target dates and proposed packages of work described herein adversely affect the Contractor’s Critical Path Schedule for the final completion date of this project. Contractors may propose an alternate schedule that illustrates the completion of the project in advance of the completion date.
This Request for Proposal (RFP) is intended to provide all Offerors with sufficient information to enable them to prepare and submit offers for consideration by the Smithsonian Institution.
This solicitation neither commits the Smithsonian Institution to pay any proposal preparation costs nor obligates the Smithsonian Institution to procure or contract for construction or any other services. It shall not be construed as authorization to proceed with or be reimbursed for any of the costs for any of the work specified herein.
Bonding and Insurance are required for this Project within ten (10) days of contract award. The successful contractor shall submit:
Projects up to 100k:
- Civil Liability for a coverage limit up to 25k or the cost of the project, whichever is greater.
- Bonds only if the price offered exceeds 60k and will be requested with these %
- Surety Bond: 50% of the construction cost.
- Payment bond (surety): 25% of the construction cost.
Additionally, shall furnish CAR Insurance to cover 100% of the Offer.
Projects for a cost greater than 100k:
- Civil Liability with a limit of up to 1M coverage.
- Surety bond: 50% of the construction cost.
- Payment bond (surety): 25% of the construction cost.
Additionally, shall furnish CAR Insurance to cover 100% of the Offer.
All bonding and insurances shall be issued in English. Performance/Payment Bonds
Solicitation Conference: This project conference is scheduled for July 8, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. thru Microsoft Teams (Meeting ID: 284 724 700 137 Passcode: sjR8UF). For access, please contact Mascarin, Ginella MascarinG@si.edu or/and Small, Heidee G. SmallHG@si.edu.
Site Visits: This project requires special arrangements for access to a non-public area. Access to the site may be restricted at times other than during the scheduled visit. Any comments, information or discussion during the site visit shall not modify the contract documents. Site visit is scheduled for July 9, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. CTPA Building at Ancon (Smithsonian CTPA Ancon - Google Maps) For access please contact Mascarin, Ginella MascarinG@si.edu or/and Small, Heidee G. SmallHG@si.edu.
Questions/Clarifications: It is desired that all questions/clarifications be sent in, sequentially numbered for example first questions 1,2,3, second set of questions 4, 5, 6, etc. in excel format to Mascarin, Ginella MascarinG@si.edu and Small, Heidee G. SmallHG@si.edu . It is requested that all questions be sent in no later than July 15, 2024, by COB. Questions received late may not be consider for the bid process.
Electronic copies will be uploaded to:
This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. DISCLAIMER: SI does not guarantee the integrity of files, formulas, or graphics. Spreadsheet user is responsible for the accuracy of all calculations.
Proposals needs to be submitted in written and delivered in English language using the SOV form, shall include a Construction Schedule, in which the different phases of the project shall be identified, including all the required tests and punch list to the following address: Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), Building 362 – Smithsonian Facilities, Ancon (Tupper Center), Panama, Republic of Panama.
THE PROPOSAL DUE DATE IS July 26, 2024, at 3:00PM Panama local time.
The Smithsonian reserves it’s the decision of accepting a proposal, if the contractor does not follow all the instructions specified. The Smithsonian reserves the right to request all estimates from subcontractors, suppliers and the prime contractor supported by back up documents showing man-hours, wage rates, material quantities, and material unit costs.
The Smithsonian Institution may cancel this RFP without prior notice.
Panama Point of Contact: Ginella Mascarin, <MascarinG@si.edu> and Heidee Small, <SmallHG@si.edu>
