I. INTRODUCTION
North Country Rural Development (NRDC) is soliciting proposals from qualified manufactured home retailers and site work contractors to complete the replacement of a substandard manufactured home with a new, ADA compliant, ENERGY STAR® Certified manufactured home.
This project is funded through the New York State HOME Program and must comply with the NYS HOME Program Manual for Manufactured Housing Replacement, as well as all applicable HUD, state, and local requirements.
NRDC is not acting as a general contractor. Proposals are welcome from:
- Manufactured home retailers able to provide and install HUD- and ENERGY STAR–certified homes;
- Site work contractors able to complete demolition, foundation, utility connections, grading, and demolition work; or
- Teams that include both (NRDC can assist in connecting interested bidders).
II. PROJECT OVERVIEW
This scope of work provides a description of the required work. Contractors are responsible for confirming all field dimensions, site conditions, and detectable defects prior to bidding. Change orders will not be issued for discovery items that are not hidden defects. All work shall be performed in a “best practice” manner using materials equal to or better than those being replaced.
Color selections, finishes, and similar aesthetic options shall be made by the NRDC client.
Preferred Placement:
It is preferred that the new home be placed adjacent to the current home when feasible, to minimize homeowner displacement.
III. DETAILED SCOPE OF WORK
A. Site Plan
Contractor shall prepare and submit a detailed site plan prior to any construction or installation activity.
B. Permitting
Contractor is responsible for securing all necessary local and state permits for site work, foundation, septic, demolition, and utility connections.
C. Site Evaluation
Contractor shall perform a pre-construction site evaluation to identify subcontractors, site conditions, and necessary pricing updates.
IV. MANUFACTURED HOME REQUIREMENTS
Home Type:
New, ENERGY STAR® Certified Manufactured Home meeting or exceeding the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards (HUD Code, 24 CFR Part 3280) and ENERGY STAR Manufactured Home Program requirements per the NYS HOME Program Manual. The manufactured home shall be fully ADA compliant and meet applicable ADA Accessibility Guidelines.
Certification:
- Home must bear both the HUD certification label (red tag) and the ENERGY STAR label affixed by the manufacturer.
- Documentation of ENERGY STAR certification must be provided at delivery.
ADA & Accessibility Requirements (Minimum)
Home must comply with ADA standards and HUD Section 504 requirements, including but not limited to:
- No-step primary entrance (coordinated with ramp design)
- Minimum 36” interior doorways
- Minimum 42” hallways where feasible
- Accessible bathroom with:
- Roll-in or low-threshold shower
- Reinforced walls for grab bars
- Accessible toilet and sink clearances
- Accessible kitchen with:
- Adequate turning radius
- Lowered or adjustable countertops where required
- Lever-style door handles and faucets
- Accessible thermostat and controls
General Specifications (Minimum):
- 3 bedrooms, 2 baths
- VIN and serial number(s) must be recorded prior to installation
- Electric, all-energy system (no fossil fuel appliances)
- 200-amp electrical service
- Single-hung, Low-E vinyl windows
- Vinyl sheet flooring throughout
- 30” frost-free refrigerator with bottom freezer
- 30” electric range
- 30–40-gallon electric water heater
- ENERGY STAR certified, HUD-compliant heat pump or electric furnace with central A/C
- Insulation to meet HUD minimum standards (R-22 floor, R-21 walls, R-30 ceiling)
- ⅜” exterior OSB sheathing
- 25-year asphalt shingles
- 40-lb roof snow load minimum
- Gutters
- Location for well pressure tank to be installed inside the home (if on private water)
V. FOUNDATION AND INSTALLATION
Foundation Type:
All foundation systems shall meet HUD durability standards, New York State Building Code, and cold-climate construction best practices to prevent frost heave and ensure long-term stability.
- Design Standards:
- Foundations must comply with HUD’s Design Guide for Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations (FPSF) or be constructed to extend below the local frost line.
- FPSF or frost-free systems must be sealed by a licensed engineer or architect and demonstrate compliance with IRC R403.3 and HUD guidelines.
- Insulation & Drainage:
- Insulation must meet HUD-recommended R-values for cold regions, be continuous, and protected from moisture and damage.
- Proper drainage and grading are required to divert water away from the foundation.
- Manufactured/Modular Homes:
- Systems must comply with HUD Model Manufactured Home Installation Standards (24 CFR 3285) and the June 21 2017 Interpretive Bulletin on frost-zone foundations.
- Frost-free alternatives require stamped professional design and local code approval.
- Verification:
- Contractor must submit foundation design, insulation layout, and drainage plan for approval.
- Work is subject to inspection and must be warranted against frost heave or settlement for at least one year.
Concrete Pads:
Minimum 3000 psi, with pre-set anchor hubs for tie-downs. Tie-down and anchoring systems must resist uplift, overturning, and lateral movement, per manufacturer’s specs.
If an alternative engineered design is used, it must be certified by a licensed professional engineer and accepted by the local code official.
Proper site grading and drainage shall be ensured to prevent frost heave.
VI. SITE WORK & UTILITIES
Site Preparation:
Perform excavation and grading as required for proper home siting, drainage, and utility placement. Backfill with clean sandy fill.
Utilities:
Connect home to all utilities (electric, water, septic/sewer) in compliance with local codes.
Water Testing:
If on a private well, perform pre-removal and post-installation bacteriological water tests.
Septic System:
Pump, evaluate, and replace components as needed based on site conditions. Provide an evaluation report to NRDC.
VII. SKIRTING & EXTERIOR
Install insulated skirting with vapor barrier and flashing protection per manufacturer’s instructions.
VIII. STEPS, LANDINGS, AND RAMPS
Construct self-supporting, pressure-treated front and rear entry decks, landings, stairs, or ramps as required by local code. All ramps, landings, and entry systems shall be constructed to meet ADA accessibility standards, including slope, width, landing size, handrails, and surface requirements.
No loads shall be transferred to the manufactured home structure.
IX. GRADING & SEEDING
Final grade disturbed areas, add minimum 2” topsoil, seed, and hay mulch for erosion control.
Place ¾” stone around the foundation perimeter for drainage.
X. DISPOSAL
Contractor is responsible for complete removal and legal disposal of the existing home, additions, and debris at a licensed facility.
Provide disposal receipts to NRDC.
XI. FINAL APPROVAL
Contractor must obtain a Certificate of Installation or local final inspection approval for the home’s setup and all site work.
Post-construction radon testing shall be conducted on the lowest regularly occupied level.
XII. PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS
Proposals must include:
- Company name, contact person, and license information
- Proof of insurance and workers compensation
- Itemized cost estimate
- Estimated project schedule
- Spec sheet for proposed model
- Floor plan demonstrating ADA-compliant layout and features
NRDC welcomes separate proposals from home retailers and site contractors. If submitting separately, NRDC will coordinate partnerships between selected bidders to ensure full project delivery. One entity must act as the GC.
XIII. SUBMISSION INFORMATION
Proposal Due Date: Wednesday, February 4th, 2026 at 4:00pm
Submit Proposals To: hcarroll@northcountryruraldevelopment.org
Questions may be directed to Hope Carroll at hcarroll@northcountryruraldevelopment.org or (518) 585-6366.