INVITATION TO BID

Proposals are requested from qualified General Contractors by the Department of Children and Families, hereinafter referred to as Owner, for the construction of:

PROJECT NUMBER:         DCF 08245330

PROJECT:            WINDOW REPLACEMENT

                BUILDINGS 1235, 1250, 1260 & 1265

                FLORIDA STATE HOSPITAL

                CHATTAHOOCHEE, FLORIDA

PREQUALIFICATION: The Owner accepts bids from those firms which demonstrate current relevant licensure with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Registration by submittal of a copy of that license or certificate with their bid and compliance with the pre-qualification requirements as stated hereinbefore and in the project specifications. In the General and Technical Specifications, Exhibit 9, Owner’s Experience Questionnaire and Contractor’s Financial Statement shall be submitted with bid.

The work includes but is not limited to the removal of windows, sun screens, security screens and associated framing materials to allow for the installation of new pre-finished aluminum window units including sub-frames, wood blocking, trim and all other items necessary to complete the window installation for Buildings 1235, 1250, 1260, & 1265 and provide the required window warranties.

BID GUARANTEE: On projects where the base bid and sum of all additives exceeds $100,000.00, bids shall be accompanied by a bid guarantee of not less than five (5) percent of the amount of the bid.

PUBLIC CONSTRUCTION BOND: If the construction award is $100,000.00 or more, a Public Construction Bond, Exhibit 4, is required.

BID DATE AND TIME: Sealed bids will be received at the architect’s office located at 1382 Timberlane Road, Suite C, Tallahassee, Florida 32312, on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 until 2:00 p.m. (Local Time), at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud.

PRE-BID INSPECTION: The pre-bid inspection will be meeting at the Operations and Facilities Building, Florida State Hospital, Chattahoochee, on Thursday, October 23, 2008, 1:30 p.m. (Local Time). An informative meeting will take place at this location followed by a visit to each building location. All others visiting after this time shall be by appointment only. Bidders setting up an appointment after October 23rd must contact: Mr. Rob Elliott, Operations and Facilities at (850)663-7152, Florida State Hospital to arrange a site visit. All questions pertaining to this project must be addressed to the architect.

PROPOSAL: Bids must be submitted in full accordance with the requirements of the drawings, specifications, bidding conditions and contractual conditions, which may be examined and obtained for $100.00 refundable from the architect:

                HICKS NATION ARCHITECTS, INC.

                1382 TIMBERLANE ROAD

                TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32312

                TELEPHONE: (850)893-1130

CONTRACT AWARD: The bid tabulation and Notice of Award Recommendation will be posted by 2:00 p.m. (Local Time), on November 13, 2008, at the Architects Office. In the event that the bid tabulation and Notice of Award Recommendation cannot be posted in this manner, then all bidders will be otherwise notified. Any protests of the bid must be made within 72 hours of posting of the results. “Failure to file a protest within the time prescribed in Section 120.53(5), Florida Statutes, shall constitute a waiver of proceedings under Chapter 120, Florida Statutes.” If no protest is filed per Section B-21 of the Instructions to Bidders, “Notice and Protest Procedures: the Owner will award the contract to the qualified, responsive low bidder in accordance with Chapter 60D-5, F.A.C.