Bid Packages put together so small and medium size contractors can better compete Detroit Black Chamber of Commerce to Host M-1 RAIL Contractor Open House January 30th With critical utility relocation work underway, M-1 RAIL’s Construction Manager, Stacy and Witbeck, Inc., is now seeking proposals from local contractors and suppliers for the construction of the M-1 RAIL Streetcar Project. Stacy and Witbeck has launched a dedicated solicitation website where firms interested in working on the unprecedented streetcar project can review the 30 different bid packages that are currently available. Approximately another 15 bid packages will be posted to the site in the coming days.

Below is a sampling of bid packages uploaded to Stacy and Witbeck’s solicitation website that can also be found on the RFP page atwww.M-1Rail.com:

Asphalt Paving and Milling

Temporary Asphalt Paving

Concrete Milling

Existing Brick Pavers – Salvage

Salvaged Pavers – Installation

Permanent Pavement Markings

Temporary Pavement Markings

Permanent Signage

Traffic Signals

Concrete Curb and Sidewalk

Concrete Roadway

Retaining Wall

Landscaping

Sewer Work

Granite Curb – Salvage and Installation

Streetscape Amenities

Woodward Avenue over I-75 Avenue (S25) Structure Replacement

Woodward Avenue over I-94 (S03) Structure Replacement

Water Main Modifications*

Construction Services*

Construction Suppliers*

* – multiple packages

“The release of the bid packages is another important step forward for this project,” said M-1 RAIL Chief Operating Officer Paul Childs. “Our construction manager has indicated the streetcar project has generated significant interest from the local contractor and supplier community, so they’re expecting to receive a very strong response to their requests for proposal.”

Since being hired last August Construction Manager Stacy and Witbeck has used several different types of outreach tactics to generate interest for the streetcar project among the local contractor community, including:

Host 3 pre-bid meetings for local subcontractor;

Join 4 local business and construction associations; and

Participate in over 20 one-on-one meetings with subcontractors and suppliers, attended over 10 industry association meetings.

“Our outreach provided us with a solid understanding of the local contractor landscape, the information we gathered helped us develop the bid packages in a unique way,” said Tom Gilman, Project Manager, Stacy and Witbeck. “Instead of developing several large bid packages that can only be fulfilled by large contractors and suppliers, we separated out some of the packages so that small and medium companies will be able to compete with the large firms.”

Gilman added that this approach should “maximize the construction employment opportunities of local subcontractors and suppliers.”

Detroit Black Chamber Construction Open House

The Detroit Black Chamber of Commerce in partnership with M-1 RAIL and Stacy and Witbeck will host a contractor open house onThursday, January 30 at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit from 1-4 p.m. It will be a chance for attendees to learn more about the bid packages.

“The Detroit Black Chamber of Commerce continues to advocate for inclusion of Black Businesses in Detroit’s new development projects,” said Tony Stovall, President of Detroit Black Chamber of Commerce. “We look forward to working with the M-1 RAIL Project for a New Detroit for all Detroiters.”