Capital Construction Projects and Services   

Capital projects are construction/renovation projects costing more than $50,000. There are complex issues to be addressed that include topics such as financing, siting, utility service, designer selection, permitting, contractor selection and construction quality. There are standards, regulations and code issues that must be addressed including but not limited to: removal of asbestos containing materials (ACM), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Building Officials and Code Administrations (BOCA), Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MeDEP), US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), State of Maine minimum wage laws and local code enforcement inspection requirements. As a public institution, The University of Maine is subject to laws and policies that define how competitiveness and fairness goals will be addressed in the selection of designers and builders, how contractors will be paid and how disputes will be settled. All of these issues are addressed with the assistance of the Project Manager.

Design and Construction Procurement Policy

Designers and Construction Managers:
The selection of Designers and Construction Managers is based upon qualifications to perform the work. Advertisements seeking letters of interest from firms for each project with an estimated cost greater than $500,000 will be published with one or more of the following:

The Bangor Daily News
The Portland Press
Associated Constructors of Maine newsletter
F.W. Dodge newsletter
The Dunlap Agency
Construction Summary of Maine

All who submit a letter of interest must fully respond to every item addressed in the advertisement or be at a disadvantage when the letters are evaluated.

Construction Contracts:
Fair competition is required for the award of all University of Maine construction contracts. The following rules are followed:

1. Estimated construction cost less than $10,000: Quotation is requested from one or more familiar contractors.

2. Estimated construction cost between $10,000 and $50,000: Written quotations are requested from at least three contractors.

3. Estimated construction cost between $50,000 and $250,000: Legal advertisement for bids is published for three days in the Bangor Daily News. Advertisement is sent to the following for listing in their newsletters: Associated Constructors of Maine F. W. Dodge The Dunlap Agency Construction Summary of Maine.

4. Estimated construction cost between $250,000 and $500,000: The same as C above, plus the advertisement is published in the Portland Press.

5. Estimated construction cost greater than $500,000: The same as D above, plus the file sub bid system shall be used. Under certain circumstances (excluding maintenance) Board approval is necessary for projects over $500K.

With a construction cost estimated to exceed $50,000, proposals must be received as sealed bids. All proposals must be submitted, without qualification, on the form provided in bidding documents. Bidding documents must be obtained through procedures explained in the Project advertisement. Bid bonds are required to be submitted with the proposal for all proposals with a cost exceeding $50,000 and may be required for proposals between $25,000 and $50,000.

Design Agreements and Construction Contracts will be executed with standard University of Maine System forms.

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