1. Invitation to Bid
ClimateHaven, a nonprofit climate-tech incubator, invites sealed
bids for the Phase 2 Buildout – Parcel A. Work includes the
renovation of approximately 5000 sq ft of usable space,
consisting of:
• One large open space
• Two restrooms, including one fully ADA-compliant restroom
• Two conference rooms
• Kitchenette buildout
• Renovation of corridor connecting Phase 1 and Phase 2
• Associated finishes, MEP/FP, and lighting upgrades
• All work delivered turnkey and code-compliant
Bid Documents Available: Tuesday January 6th, 2026
Sealed Bids Due: Friday, January 30th, 2026, at 2:00 PM at:
ClimateHaven
770 Chapel Street
New Haven, CT 06510
Bid Opening: Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at:
ClimateHaven
770 Chapel Street
New Haven, CT 06510
Conference Room #1
Friday, January 30th, 2026, at 2:00 PM
Pre-Bid Walkthrough (MANDATORY): Tuesday, January 20th, 2026,
at 10:00 AM
Failure to attend will result in disqualification.
Document Distribution:
Bid documents will be issued digitally. Addenda will be issued
electronically to all registered plan holders. Hard copies available
upon request at bidder’s expense.
ClimateHaven is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
Minority/Women’s Business Enterprises are encouraged to bid. This
contract is subject to all applicable state set-aside, prevailing wage,
and CHRO compliance requirements.
1A. Owner Background & Project Rationale
Owner. ClimateHaven, Inc. is a nonprofit climate-tech incubator
headquartered at 770 Chapel Street in New Haven, CT. Our mission
is to accelerate the commercialization of solutions that cut
emissions, strengthen resilience, and create high-quality jobs.
Impact-to-date. ClimateHaven has established a robust platform
for founder support, programming, and public engagement. Our
events, office hours, investor programming, and hands-on member
support serve over one thousand people annually. In our first two
years, we have helped over 40 companies, which have created over
100 jobs.
Why Phase 2 now. Member demand for flexible workspace, private
meeting rooms, and core amenities has exceeded our Phase 1
capacity. Phase 2 provides:
• ~5000 sq ft of new usable space
• One large workspace
• Two enclosed conference rooms
• Two restrooms, including one fully ADA-compliant restroom
• A kitchenette
• A renovated connector corridor
The space provides workspace and meeting rooms for startup
founders, teams, and coworkers, as well as facilities for networking
events, workshops, and trainings. The roof deck is excluded and will
be bid separately in the future.
Expected benefits. Phase 2 will expand programming capacity,
create predictable access to meeting rooms, improve circulation
between Phases 1 and 2, and increase the total number of startups
we can support.
Public stewardship. This project will be delivered through a
competitive, transparent public bidding process compliant with
Connecticut state requirements including prevailing wage, bonding,
CHRO, and DECD contract rules.
2. Instructions to Bidders
Submission:
Sealed bids only. No emailed submissions accepted.
Bid Opening:
Bids opened publicly at:
ClimateHaven
770 Chapel Street
New Haven, CT 06510
Friday, January 30th, 2026, at 2:00 PM
RFI Procedure:
All RFIs must be submitted in writing to the Owner, ClimateHaven, by Wednesday, January 21st, 2026, at 10:00 AM.
RFI Contact:
Cecil Gilliard
Operations Manager, ClimateHaven
cecil@climatehaven.tech
Responses will be shared via formal addenda.
Addenda:
Final addenda issued no later than Monday, January 26th, 2026.
Required With Bid:
• Completed Bid Form (Section 4)
• 5% Bid Bond
• CHRO Compliance Form
• Contractor Qualification Statement (AIA A305 or equivalent)
• Insurance certificate meeting stated limits
• Proof of bonding capacity
• Three commercial references (similar projects)
• List of proposed subcontractors
3. Regulatory Requirements
Prevailing Wage:
Applies (project value > $100k). CT DOL wage schedule must be
included.
CHRO Compliance:
Bidders must submit the Notification to Bidders Form.
The selected contractor will be required to file an Affirmative Action
Plan or Set-Aside Plan with CHRO within 30 days of intent to award,
and approval must be obtained before contract execution.
DAS Prequalification:
Not required (< $1M).
Bonds Required:
• Bid Bond: 5%
• Performance Bond: 100% of contract
• Labor & Material Payment Bond: 100% of contract
4. Detailed Scope of Work
The Base Bid shall include all labor, materials, equipment, and
services required for a complete, code-compliant, turnkey
renovation of the full ~5000 sq ft including but not limited to:
General Conditions
• Mobilization
• Site safety plan
• Daily common-area cleanup (hallways)
• Temporary protection of adjacent occupied areas
• Coordination with building management
Demolition
• Selective removals as indicated
• Safe disposal per CT waste regulations
• Dust control and containment
• Removal of any abandoned MEP lines encountered
Construction & Finishes
• Metal stud partitions
• Acoustic assemblies and wall treatments
• New ceiling grid/tiles
• Doors, frames, hardware
• Millwork for kitchenette
• Solid-surface countertop
• Floor finishes (spec per architect)
• Paint
Restrooms
• Two restrooms, including one fully ADA-compliant restroom
• All plumbing rough-in and fixtures
• Bathroom accessories and partitions
• Exhaust systems
• Lighting and GFCI circuits
Conference Rooms
• Full-height partitions with acoustic seals
• Glazing systems as specified
• Lighting and controls
• Power, data, and AV infrastructure
Kitchenette (Base Bid)
• Installation of standard modular cabinet package (e.g., IKEA or
approved equal)
• Solid-surface or composite countertop per spec
• Sink, faucet, and accessories
• Appliances (OFCI/CFI as noted by architect)
Alternate #1 – Custom Millwork Kitchenette
• Fabrication and installation of custom millwork cabinets per
architectural detail
• Matching countertop as specified
• Include all hardware, trim, and specialty finishes
MEP/FP
• Demolition and removal from site of two air handling units
located above the ceiling.
• Demolition and removal from site of all ductwork, controls,
diffusers, grilles, duct insulation, etc.
• Furnish, rig to final locations, install two packaged heating and
air conditioning units.
• HVAC tie-ins to existing system—should only be in existing
bathroom and mechanical spaces
• New ductwork, diffusers, grilles, controls
• Furnish, install, and duct two new fan/lights for restrooms.
• Electrical outlets, circuits, panel updates
• Lighting fixtures and switching
• Fire alarm devices
• Fire sprinkler adjustments/relocations
• Commissioning, testing, and balancing
Corridor Renovation
• Updated finishes
• New lighting
• Accessibility adjustments
Final Delivery
• Punchlist completion
• Cleaning
• Turnover of all O&M manuals
• As-built drawings
5. Substitution Procedures
All substitution requests must be submitted to the Owner no later
than Wednesday, January 21st, 2026, at 10:00 AM and must include:
• Product data and cut sheets
• Comparison table against specified product
• Cost impact
• Schedule impact
• Warranty information
Unapproved substitutions will not be accepted. Any unapproved
substitution discovered after bid or during construction shall be
replaced at contractor’s expense.
6. No Scope Gap Clause
Contractor is responsible for a complete, operable, code-compliant
project, including any incidental items required for proper
functioning even if not explicitly depicted in the drawings.
7. Site Access & Logistics
• Building is occupied during construction.
• Contractor must maintain safe access for tenants in proximate
space at all times.
• Work hours: Monday–Friday, 7:00 am–7:00 pm (after-hours
work requires approval).
• Use of the rear elevator for material deliveries must be
coordinated in advance with the Owner to avoid disruption to
building occupants. Regular day-to-day use does not require
scheduling.
• Elevator dimensions: Door - 81” H x 41”W; Cabin - 92 ½ “H x
66”W x 74”L
• Staging area defined by Owner.
• No materials may be stored outside designated areas.
8. Contractor Qualification Requirements
• Minimum 5 years' experience with commercial interior
renovations >5,000 sq ft
• Experience working in occupied buildings with restricted work
areas
• OSHA 30 for Site Superintendent
• OSHA 10 for all workers
• Valid CT licenses for all trade work
9. Insurance Requirements
At minimum:
• General Liability: $1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000
aggregate
• Automobile Liability: $1,000,000
• Workers’ Compensation: statutory
• Employer’s Liability: $500,000
• Umbrella/Excess Liability: $2,000,000
• Builder’s Risk: Contractor to provide
10. Environmental & Sustainability Requirements
• Contractor shall implement a construction waste
management plan.
• Recycling of debris encouraged where feasible.
• VOC-compliant materials required.
11. Background Checks
All contractor personnel accessing the project area must pass
background checks per ClimateHaven policy.
12. Contract Requirements
Form of Agreement: AIA A101 or DECD-compliant equivalent.
Schedule: Contractor must submit a baseline construction
schedule at award.
Liquidated Damages:
$300 per calendar day for late Substantial Completion.
Payments:
Progress payments with 10% retainage until Substantial
Completion.
Change Orders:
Written only; subject to Owner and DECD review and approval.
13. Compliance & Reporting
• Environmental/CEPA compliance
• CHRO reporting
• DECD signage requirements
• DECD inspection access
• Required closeout: as-builts, warranties, lien waivers, O&M
manuals, training videos (if applicable)
14. Bid Form
Bidder Information
Firm Name: ___________________________
Address: _____________________________
Contact: _____________________________
Phone: ______________________________
Email: ______________________________
Base Bid
We propose to perform the Phase 2 Buildout – Parcel A for:
$________________ (Written: ___________________________________)
Alternates (if any):
1. Custom Millwork Kitchenette: $_______________
Addenda Acknowledged:
Addendum # ___ dated _______
Bid Security: 5% Bid Bond attached.
Signature: ________________________ Date:_________
15. Attachments
• CT DOL Prevailing Wage Schedule
• CHRO Notification to Bidders Form
• Architect’s Sealed Drawings/Specifications
• DECD Signage Template
• Bid Bond Form (sample)
• Performance Bond Form (sample)
• Labor & Material Payment Bond Form (sample)
Sample Bond Forms
A. Bid Bond (5%)
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that we, [Bidder
Name] as Principal, and [Surety Name] as Surety, are held firmly
bound unto ClimateHaven, in the penal sum of five percent (5%) of
the Base Bid, for the payment of which we bind ourselves, our
heirs, executors, and successors.
CONDITION: If Principal is awarded the contract and enters into an
agreement with required bonds, this obligation shall be void.
Otherwise, it shall remain in full force and effect.
Signed this ___ day of ______ 20___.
Principal: __________________
Surety: ____________________ (Seal)
B. Performance Bond (100%)
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that we, [Contractor Name] as Principal, and [Surety Name] as Surety, are held firmly bound unto ClimateHaven in the sum of one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Amount for faithful performance of the Contract dated, [DATE].
CONDITION: If Principal faithfully performs the Contract, this bond
is void; otherwise, it remains in effect. The Surety may step in to
complete the project if the Principal defaults.
Signed this ___ day of ______ 20___.
Principal: __________________
Surety: ____________________ (Seal)
C. Labor & Material Payment Bond (100%)
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that we, [Contractor
Name] as Principal, and [Surety Name] as Surety, are held firmly
bound unto ClimateHaven in the sum of one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Amount for payment of all labor and materials furnished under the Contract dated, [DATE].
CONDITION: If Principal promptly pays all subcontractors,
suppliers, and laborers furnishing labor and materials, this bond is
void; otherwise, it remains in effect."
Signed this ___ day of ______ 20___.
Principal: __________________
Surety: ____________________ (Seal)
