CO NP BLCA 10(1) South Rim Drive

This project is currently advertised and competed as a total small business set-aside. Plans and specifications are available. PROJECT NUMBER: CO NP BLCA 10(1) PROJECT NAME: South Rim Drive Improvement PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The National Park Service (NPS) has an immediate safety requirement to restore roadside protection along South Rim Drive following damage sustained during last year's wildfire event. The purpose of this project is to remove remaining roadside hazards and install modern, crash-tested safety barriers to restore the corridor to safe operating conditions prior to peak visitor seasons. SCOPE OF THE WORK: The contractor shall provide all labor, materials, equipment, and supervision necessary to execute guardrail removal, site preparation, and installation across twelve (12) distinct locations along South Rim Drive. Principal work elements include, but are not limited to, the following: Selective Boulder Removal & Dispersal: Carefully remove, relocate, or safely set aside existing large boulder barriers at specified curves out of the active road prism/clear zone in accordance with park cultural and aesthetic boundaries. Site Grading & Base Preparation: Execute minor grading, shoulder stabilization, and post-hole excavation at the 12 designated locations to prepare the roadside for barrier placement. Specialized Guardrail Procurement & Installation: Supply and install steel guardrail systems featuring a weathered-look finish and structural treatments (e.g., Natina stain coatings). Traffic Control & Sequencing: Provide comprehensive traffic control, including active one-lane closures and flagging operations, to accommodate construction activities while maintaining safety for park staff and public visitors. Prospective bidders are advised that the specialized weathered-look guardrail steel and required aesthetic coatings carry extended procurement windows (up to an 8-week lead time plus required material curing periods). Contract duration and ordering timelines are structured to accommodate this supply chain restriction. To maximize productivity and account for high-altitude weather volatility, construction operations are anticipated to launch in early Spring (April), utilizing a combination of full road closure windows (pre-opening) and transitioning to active one-lane traffic control configurations following the seasonal opening of the roadway. ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Advertisement: Mid-September 15, 2026 Award: Mid-October 2026 Notice to Proceed (NTP): Mid-October 2026 (Allows the contractor to immediately order the guardrail to absorb the 8-week lead time/curing window over the winter) Construction: Early April 2027 Late May 2027 ESTIMATED COST RANGE: The estimated bid range for Schedule A is between $700,000 and $2,000,000.