[font=Verdana]This is a Pre-Solicitation Notice. The General Services Administration (GSA) announces an opportunity for qualified General Contractors (GC) interested in the Construction Upgrades and New Exterior Fire Stair at the US Post Office/Courthouse in [/font][font=Verdana]New Bern[/font][font=Verdana], [/font][font=Verdana]North Carolina[/font][font=Verdana]. The work to be accomplished includes: selective demolition throughout the interior of the building and at the building exterior where renovation or new work is scheduled; construction of new handicap ramps and exterior fire stair at the rear of the building; construction of new public restroom on the first floor that are ADA compliant; construction of new exit corridor between the first floor lobby and the rear of the building; construction of a new CSO work room on the first floor; remodeling of existing office space on the first, second and third floors; construction of new chamber and security doors and partitions; repair of damaged existing plaster; refinishing of existing marble and terrazzo floors; abatement of sprayed on asbestos acoustical treatment at the Courtroom ceiling; abatement of existing asbestos floor tile; installation of new ADA compliant drinking fountains; replacement of mechanical equipment servicing the second and third floors; replacement of some existing light fixtures and refurbishing of some historic light fixtures; and other miscellaneous mechanical and electrical upgrades. The US Post Office/Courthouse is located at [/font][font=Verdana]413 Middle Street[/font][font=Verdana], [/font][font=Verdana]New Bern[/font][font=Verdana], [/font][font=Verdana]North Carolina[/font][font=Verdana]. Construction is scheduled to start on or before [/font][font=Verdana]May 19, 2006[/font][font=Verdana]. The estimated dollar amount of the project is between $1,500,000.00 and $2,000,000.00. The solicitation will require firms responding to the Request for Proposal to submit both a technical and price proposal. The technical evaluation factors for this procurement will include: 1) PAST PERFORMANCE and PAST EXPERIENCE; 2) ORGANIZATION APPROACH; and 3) QUALIFICATIONS OF KEY PERSONNEL. The project completion is approximately 365 days after the Notice to Proceed. Bonds, insurance and security clearances will be required prior to the start of any work. This procurement is advertised on a RESTRICTED basis as a Small Business Set-Aside. The applicable NAICS Code for this procurement is 236220 with a Size Standard of $27.5 million. The anticipated issue date of the solicitation is [/font][font=Verdana]April 11, 2006[/font][font=Verdana]. The proposal due date will be on or around [/font][font=Verdana]May 11, 2006[/font][font=Verdana]. Interested firms who wish to be included on the Bidder