The Iron Trail - Connecting the Catoctin Furnace Ruins to the Manor Area of Cunningham Falls State Park

Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, Inc., (CFHS, Inc.) has been issued necessary permits from MD DNR and MDE to restore/rehabilitate the existing natural surface trail between the Catoctin Furnace ruins and the Manor Area of Cunningham Falls State Park (CFSP) (the Project Area). This IFB seeks bids for trail restoration/rehabilitation of 1656 linear feet (LF) of existing natural surface trail which is not less than 3 feet wide and not to exceed 5 feet wide with US 15 pedestrian crossing, pre-existing steps and historic bowstring bridge crossing. Trail work will include trail resurfacing along the entire length with stone dust to cover roots and large rocks, (including hand cutting protruding roots), trimming vegetation, invasive species removal including but not limited too barberry, honeysuckle, mutiflora rose, Ailanthus altissma) , construction of elevated boardwalks along the trail to US Forest Service Standard Boardwalk Specifications (links to plan set provided below) in Five (5) areas as specified in section details, cleanout/repair of water diversion devices and installation of 12 interpretive waysides (waysides supplied by others). A trail reroute of up to 94 LF will be constructed to avoid a water retention area. No improvements to the existing bridges or steps are to be included in this project and no new trails will be constructed. See map Attachment A for location of the existing trail. Contractor will furnish all necessary equipment, labor, tools, transportation, supplies, items required for safe operations, and supervision to complete, in a substantial and workmanlike manner, to the satisfaction of the owner and/or its representative, the work described herein. All work shall be performed and completed within the standards and requirements of: Contractor will restore/rehabilitate the existing trail to included specifications Boardwalk design plans and specifications: (Note: Handrails will only be specified for one board walk as identified in the Responsibilities and Tasks section.) Maryland Park Service Best Practices for Trail Construction (BMP) CFHS, Inc. is working with Maryland Department of Natural Resources to restore/rehabilitate the existing pedestrian trail between the Catoctin Furnace ruins and the Cunningham Falls State Park Manor area located near Thurmont, Maryland. CFSP contains both significant historical (National Register of Historic Places) and natural resources. The trail will be utilized to move visitors between the historic area and the Manor area via this trail which contains two bridges, neither of which is part of this project: one bridge is over US Route 15 and the second bridge, an historic bowstring arch bridge, spans Little Hunting Creek. However, in each case, the trail restoration/rehabilitation will go up to the edge of the respective bridges, ensuring that the bridges are properly tied into the trail. The trail is designed and will be used exclusively by pedestrians. The Project Area topography is along the bank of Little Hunting Creek, with stream views and exposed rock in several places and along and among historic landscape features associated with historic Catoctin Furnace in other places. These features include slag heaps and a railroad bed. Twelve interpretive waysides will be installed along the trail (waysides manufactured by others). Six existing waysides will be replaced, and 6 additional waysides will be added. The goal of the trail system restoration/rehabilitation is to provide an easily walkable, interpretive, natural outdoor experience that moves visitors from the parking areas of the Manor area of Cunningham Falls State Park to the historic core of Catoctin Furnace with a trail free of tripping hazards. The Contractor shall submit a project timeline as part of their bid submission. If accepted, the Contractor will be expected to follow this timeline. All work must be completed by October 1, 2023, and this deadline will be incorporated in the mutually agreed project timeline with delay penalties totaling approximately 5% of the contract value established in the Construction Contract. However, should there be delays incurred by any act, fault, or neglect of CFHS or by any damage cause by fire, flood or other event over which the Contractor has no control, (but excluding normal rainfall) the time to complete the work may be amended by mutual agreement of both parties. There is no DBE goal for this procurement. Contract Type: Firm fixed price Contract Duration: 1 year Questions Due Date and Time Friday, October 28, 2022, 5 pm Procurement Officer: Elizabeth A. Comer e-mail: Office Phone: ecomer@catoctinfurnace.org 443-463-6437

Division 31 -	Earthwork, Earthwork Methods.
Division 32 -	Exterior Improvements, Operation and Maintenance of Exterior Improvements, Bases, Ballasts, and Paving, Flexible Paving, Asphalt Paving, Rigid Paving, Concrete Paving, Curbs, Gutters, Sidewalks, and Driveways.
Division 34 -	Transportation, Operation and Maintenance of Transportation.