Cherokee National Forest

Solicitation

This is an Invitation for Bids (IFB) for the repair of storm and flood damage on Peavine Sheeds Creek Road (FS 221) within the Cherokee National Forest, Polk County, Tennessee. The project is identified as TN ERFO FS CHRKE804 2020-2(3) and has a Disaster Number of TN2020-2-FS.

The work includes grading, roadway resurfacing, drain dip construction, replacement of drainage culverts, slope stabilization, AOP structure, concrete box culvert, ditch reconditioning, drainage culvert cleaning, and other miscellaneous work.

• Contract Type: Firm-fixed-price.

• Estimated Price Range: $5,000,000 to $10,000,000.

• Period of Performance: 384 calendar days from the Notice to Proceed.

• Standard Specifications: Cites FP-24 (Standard Specifications for Construction of Roads and Bridges on Federal Highway Projects).

• Submission Method: Electronic bids accepted via email only to EFLHD.Contracts@dot.gov. Bids sent to any other email address will not be accepted. Hand-delivered bids are not recommended unless the contractor is attending the bid opening.

• Bid Bond: Required, not less than 20% of the bid price or $3 million, whichever is less.

• Proposal Booklet and Offer Submittal: Bidders are responsible for verifying completeness and submitting all required forms and documents.

• Bid Schedule: Detailed in Section B, pages B-1 through B-3.

• Basis for Award: Award will be made to the responsive, responsible bidder with the lowest Evaluation Total Price of Project (Schedule A Bid Total).

• Key Deadlines: Offers are due by 05/05/2026 at 1400 local time.

• This project is RESTRICTED: Sealed bids from HUBZone Certified Small Business Concerns only will be accepted.

• NAICS Code: 237310 - Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction.

• Bidders are responsible for monitoring the SAM.gov website for any changes to the solicitation.

• Hazardous Materials: Apparent low bidder must submit Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) for hazardous materials within two weeks after bid opening.

• SAM Registration: Active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) is required at the time of bid submission and award.

• VETS-4212 Form: Must be completed to be eligible for award.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the Federal Contractor Veterans' Employment Report (VETS-4212) form. It is a mandatory annual report for nonexempt Federal contractors and subcontractors with contracts or subcontracts of $150,000 or more with the U.S. government. The report collects data on the number of employees and new hires who are protected veterans, categorized by job type.

• Reporting Organization Type: Prime Contractor or Subcontractor, Single Establishment or Multiple Establishment.

• Company Identification: Company Name, Parent Company Name, DUNS Number, Employer ID Number (EIN).

• Employee Data: Number of protected veterans and total employees by job category (Officials/Managers, Professionals, Technicians, Sales, Administrative Support, Craft Workers, Operatives, Laborers/Helpers, Service Workers).

• New Hires Data: Number of protected veteran new hires and total new hires in the previous 12 months, by job category (optional).

• Maximum/Minimum Employees: Total number of employees on board during the reporting period.

• The report is due annually by September 30th.

• Data should reflect the twelve-month period preceding a selected date between July 1 and August 31.

• Electronic filing is preferred via the VETS web-based system, but paper submissions are accepted.

• Specific instructions are provided for single and multi-establishment employers.

• Definitions for 'Employee,' 'Hiring Location,' 'Job Categories,' and various types of 'Protected Veterans' are included.

Federal contractors and subcontractors meeting the threshold ($150,000+) must complete and submit this form to comply with federal regulations (38 U.S.C. § 4212(d)). Understanding the reporting requirements and definitions is crucial for compliance.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "Report of Geotechnical Exploration (Revision 1)" for FSR 221 Peavine Sheeds Creek Road in Conasauga, Tennessee. It details the findings of a geotechnical exploration conducted by S&ME, Inc. for WSP USA, Inc. The report was prepared in accordance with a Professional Services On-Call/Task Order Subcontract. It provides an analysis of subsurface conditions, laboratory testing results, and recommendations for site preparation, foundation design, and construction related to planned repairs for storm damage.

• Project Overview: Identifies three specific sites along Forest Service Road 221 (Mile Posts 6.229, 7.84, and 19.302) requiring repairs, including culvert replacement, retaining wall construction for slope stabilization, and an aquatic organism passage.
• Exploration Procedures: Details the methods used for field exploration (soil test borings, split-barrel sampling, Shelby tube sampling) and laboratory testing (visual classification, moisture content, Atterberg limits, grain size distribution, unconfined compression strength, corrosivity testing).
• Site Conditions: Describes the general site conditions, geologic context (Blue Ridge Physiographic Province), and subsurface conditions encountered, including surface materials, residual soils, and auger refusal materials.
• Conclusions and Recommendations: Provides detailed recommendations for earthwork (stripping, subgrade evaluation, difficult excavation, fill placement, density testing, groundwater control), foundations (box culvert, retaining wall, aquatic organism passage), and seismic considerations.
• Appendices: Includes site location plans, boring location plans, geologic maps, soil and rock core log legends, test boring logs, subsurface profiles, lab test results, and site photographs.

This report is crucial for any bidder involved in the construction or repair work along FSR 221. It provides essential geotechnical data that will directly influence:

• Site Preparation: Understanding soil types, stability, and potential excavation challenges.
• Foundation Design: Information on bearing capacities and suitable foundation types for structures like culverts and retaining walls.
• Material Requirements: Insights into fill material specifications and compaction needs.
• Risk Assessment: Helps bidders identify potential subsurface challenges and associated costs or schedule impacts.
• Construction Methods: Guidance on excavation techniques and groundwater management.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Categorical Exclusion Form (NEPA) for the "Repair Storm and Flood Damage on Peavine Sheeds Creek Road" project. It details the environmental review process and findings to determine if the project qualifies for a categorical exclusion from further NEPA analysis.

• Project Information: Includes Project Number (FS TN ERFO CHRKE804 2020 2(3)), Project Name, Location (Cherokee National Forest, Polk County, Tennessee), and Date (8/13/2025).
• CE Category: 23 CFR 771.117(d)(13).
• Project Description: Outlines the proposed repairs to Peavine Sheeds Creek Road, including reconditioning the roadway surface, stabilizing areas with landslides using MSE walls, and repairing/replacing drainage features like culverts and ditches. Specifics include replacing a 30-inch culvert with a box culvert and installing an aquatic organism passage (AOP) by replacing a 36-inch culvert with a 16-foot span arch culvert.
• Environmental Commitments and Mitigation Measures: Details measures to avoid or minimize environmental impacts, such as tree clearing limitations, notification of fisheries biologists for dewatering activities, and reporting of stream wood removal.
• Endangered Species Act Compliance: Discusses potential impacts on federally-listed species (bats, monarch butterfly, plants) and compliance with Section 7 consultations, including Biological Opinions for Northern Long-Eared Bats and Tricolored Bats.
• National Historic Preservation Act Compliance: Reports findings from an archeological survey and consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office, determining that no historic properties are affected.
• Agency Coordination: Mentions biological evaluations and coordination with the Forest Service.
• Environmental Checklist: Summarizes findings related to the Endangered Species Act, National Historic Preservation Act, Water and Wetlands, Floodplains, USDOT Act, Land and Water Conservation Fund, Coastal Zone Management Act, Right of Way, Hazardous Waste and Materials, Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, Clean Air Act, Highway Traffic and Construction Noise Regulations, and Farmland Protection Policy Act.
• Categorical Exclusion Recommendation & Determination: Concludes that the project meets the definition of a categorical exclusion and no unusual circumstances apply.

While this document is primarily an environmental compliance form, it provides context about the scope of work, including specific repair activities and locations. Bidders may find details on the types of construction (e.g., MSE walls, culvert replacements, AOP installation) and the general project area relevant for understanding the project's environmental considerations and potential constraints.

Plans / Drawings & Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This project, "REPAIR STORM AND FLOOD DAMAGE ON PEAVINE SHEEDS CREEK ROAD (FS 221)", is located in the Ocoee Ranger District of the Cherokee National Forest in Polk County, Tennessee. The work involves repairing storm and flood damage along approximately 19.8 lane miles of Peavine Sheeds Creek Road (FS 221), which has an approximate width of 14 feet with a 6-inch aggregate base.

• Roadway Repairs: Includes grading, roadway resurfacing, drain dip construction, and extensive ditch reconditioning.
• Drainage Improvements: Significant work involves the removal and replacement of numerous existing culverts with new pipe culverts, structural plate arch culverts, and a reinforced concrete box culvert. Specific details for pipe culvert bedding, multi-plate arch structures, and box bridge/slab types are provided.
• Structural Work: Includes the installation of an Aquatic Organism Passage (AOP) structure, MSE walls, and wingwall details.
• Erosion and Sediment Control: Comprehensive Erosion and Sediment Control Plans (ESCP) are detailed for segments from milepost 6.229 to 12.53+00.00. This includes measures such as wire-backed silt fence, fiber roll check dams, sediment filter bags, placed riprap at culvert outlets, temporary in-stream diversion methods, ditch stabilization with rolled erosion control products (RECP), and temporary traffic control.
• Other Work: Embankment construction, special roadway base repair, deep patch repair, and miscellaneous related work.

These documents provide the detailed specifications, layout, and environmental protection requirements for the project. Bidders must review the plans, "Tabulation of Quantities", "Drainage Summary", and ESCP to understand the full scope of work, specific construction details, material quantities, and erosion control measures. This information is critical for accurate cost estimation and ensuring compliance with all project and environmental regulations.

Other / Unclassified

This document is the "Standard Specifications for Construction of Roads and Bridges on Federal Highway Projects FP-24" issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Federal Lands Highway. It serves as a comprehensive set of standards and requirements for constructing roads and bridges on Federal Highway projects under the direct administration of the Federal Highway Administration.

This document is crucial for any bidder on a Federal Highway Administration project that involves the construction of roads and bridges. It outlines the "FP-24" standard specifications, which become part of the contract and are binding on all parties. Bidders must familiarize themselves with these specifications to understand the required standards for materials, workmanship, construction methods, measurement, and payment. The document details requirements across various divisions, including General Requirements, Project Requirements, Earthwork, Aggregate and Base Courses, Asphalt Pavements, Rigid Pavements, Bridge Construction, Incidental Construction, and Materials. It also references governing regulations such as the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Transportation Acquisition Regulation (TAR). Understanding these specifications is essential for preparing accurate bids and ensuring compliance during project execution.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for repairs to storm and flood damage on Peavine Sheeds Creek Road (FS 221) within the Cherokee National Forest, Polk County, Tennessee. The project involves grading, roadway resurfacing, drain dip construction, replacement of drainage culverts, slope stabilization, AOP structure, concrete box culvert, ditch reconditioning, drainage culvert cleaning, and other miscellaneous work.

• Grading

• Roadway resurfacing

• Drain dip construction

• Replacement of drainage culverts

• Slope stabilization

• AOP structure

• Concrete box culvert

• Ditch reconditioning

• Drainage culvert cleaning

• Miscellaneous related work

• Estimated price range: $5,000,000 to $10,000,000.

• Bid documents are expected to be issued on or about March 26, 2026.

• The bid due date and location will be specified on the SF 1442, Block 13a of the Solicitation.

• All documents can be downloaded from https://www.sam.gov.

• Bidders are encouraged to submit bids electronically.

• Questions concerning construction projects should be sent to eflhd.contracts@dot.gov, including solicitation number, project name/number, firm details, and point of contact.

• Sealed bids will be accepted from certified HUBZone Small Business Concerns only.

• Prospective contractors must have an active Federal Government contracts registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) at the time of offer submission and award.

• Annual contractor representations and certifications must be completed online at https://www.sam.gov.

• The required annual Form VETS-4212 must be completed online at http://www.dol.gov/vets/vets4212.htm.

• Visitors to government buildings require valid photo ID and must be escorted. Arrive at least 1 hour prior to bid openings.