RFQ 200-JCPSFS-11182026-CR.pdf

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)

Building Automation System (BAS) Contractors

Installation of New and Replacement of Existing Control Systems

Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS), herein after referred to as “Owner,” is soliciting Statements of Qualifications from companies experienced in providing Building Automation Systems (BAS). This RFQ “will provide cost savings, maintain or improve the functioning of any process or system affected by the preferred item or items” (NC GS 133-3) by:

● Reducing the quantity of different BAS software platforms, associated Software Maintenance Agreements (SMAs), and the costs of licensing, training, retraining, and software updates.

● Standardizing replacement hardware components to reduce inventory requirements, improve parts availability, and minimize system downtime that negatively impacts building operations and the learning environment.

● Standardizing operator interfaces and workflows to improve staff efficiency, reduce training time for new personnel, and minimize operator errors during normal operation and emergency response.

● Reducing cybersecurity threats due to fewer necessary connections by the associated vendors.

● Improving interoperability between buildings by utilizing common programming standards, naming conventions, graphics, alarm management, and trend data, allowing facility personnel to manage all buildings in a consistent manner.

● Increasing the likelihood of “Successful Project” delivery by requiring contractors to demonstrate documented experience with projects of similar size, complexity, and platform, thereby reducing commissioning issues, warranty claims, and operational disruptions.

These benefits improve long-term maintainability by reducing lifecycle costs associated with supporting multiple software platforms, databases, engineering tools, and communication architectures, all while maintaining the ability to accept the “lowest responsive and responsible bidder.” This also provides a more formal and documented process for vendors to show they are “responsive and responsible,” which can be time intensive and prohibitive in a fast pace bid environment. Selections made through this RFQ of contractors deemed to be “responsive and responsible bidders” will be referred to as “Selected BAS Vendors.”

INSTRUCTIONS

Interested firms shall submit a Statement of Qualifications and supporting documentation electronically to Josh Woodard, joshuawoodard@johnston.k12.nc.us Facility Design and Construction Department, Johnston County Public Schools, by 2:00 PM on Wednesday, November 18, 2026. Submissions received after this time will not be considered.

RFQ No. 200-JCPSFS-11182026-CR 1 mailto:joshuawoodard@johnston.k12.nc.us

PURPOSE AND EXPECTATION

JCPS is soliciting Statements of Qualifications from Building Automation System (BAS) contractors to provide installation of new BAS in new construction projects, as well as replacement, expansion, and/or integration of existing BAS in existing or renovation projects across multiple schools and projects. Projects include both capital and O&M type-projects.

The intent of this RFQ is for Tridium-based projects. Selected BAS Vendors shall be allowed to bid on projects with scope of work that includes Tridium-based BAS. Only bids from Selected BAS Vendors determined to be “responsive and responsible” will be accepted; other bids shall be rejected without further consideration. Where BAS contractor is a subcontractor, prime contractor shall be subject to the same requirements. Where bid is awarded to a prime contractor and the prime contractor does not obtain a price from a Selected BAS Vendor, prime contractor shall be required to procure work by a Selected BAS Vendor at no additional expense to owner, and without an extension of completion dates.

The Owner’s intent is to have a minimum of three Selected BAS Vendors. Contractors who are not Selected BAS Vendors, but wish to be, shall be required to wait until the next RFQ is issued for consideration. Reissuance of the RFQ will be performed on a periodic basis solely at Owner’s discretion. Owner will not consider a “specialty request” simply because a contractor wishes to become a Selected BAS Vendor.

Being a Selected BAS Vendor does not guarantee the contractor meets the qualifications for projects. Each project shall have qualification requirements which will be evaluated; chronic and documented performance issues may result in a Selected BAS Vendor not meeting project specifications.

Summary

Selected BAS Vendors will perform the following Anticipated Services:

● Provide (i.e., furnish and install) BAS, including but not limited to building controllers, device controllers, sensors, associated wiring and installation, programming, and all required accessories and associated services.

● Confirm and support Owner’s desires to standardize and conform to the BAS Master Plan and its contents.

● Work in conjunction with Owner-identified Master Systems Integrator (MSI) for graphic consistency, point naming conventions, and other established standards.

● Provide above industry-standard quality work and support Owner.

● Have the desire for a long-term relationship with the Owner, with both working towards efficient and maintainable facilities.

This RFQ is intended to identify contractors with the technical depth, staffing capability, and wide BAS expertise necessary to execute complex and comprehensive BAS installations on time, on-budget, and fully functional at final completion.

Anticipated Project Examples

RFQ No. 200-JCPSFS-11182026-CR 2

The following are example projects for where the Anticipated Services would be performed. The list of projects is intended to be samples and may not include every project with a BAS scope of work. Note it is also the intent of Owner to utilize Tridium-based systems whenever possible. However, not all projects are conducive to a Tridium system, and as such will be evaluated on a project-by-project basis.

● New School Construction o “Greenfield” projects, with traditional design-bid-build and/or design-build schools.

o All new building controllers, device controllers, sensors, network, associated wiring, programming, startup, and commissioning.

o Multiple trades involved.

● Existing School Renovation and Expansions o Projects that renovate and/or expand the current facility’s architectural footprint, via different construction delivery methods.

o A mixture of new building controllers, device controllers, sensors, network, associated wiring, programming, startup, and commissioning, as well as integration and/or replacement of existing devices.

o Multiple trades involved.

● Existing School Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing (MEP) Upgrades o A project dedicated to the MEP components of a facility, with no/small architectural component.

o A mixture of new building controllers, device controllers, sensors, network, associated wiring, programming, startup, and commissioning, as well as integration and/or replacement of existing devices.

o Multiple trades involved.

● Existing School “Like-for-Like” Control Changeouts o A project dedicated to the BAS components of a facility, with no/small MEP or architectural component.

o A mixture of new building controllers, device controllers, sensors, network, associated wiring, programming, startup, and commissioning, as well as integration and/or replacement of existing devices.

o Generally, only the BAS contractor involved.

Contractor Role

Selected BAS Vendors shall:

● Be directly contracted to Owner or be a subcontractor to a contractor who is directly contracted to Owner.

● Act in the best interest of Owner when performing BAS services.

● Disclose any manufacturer affiliations, distributorships, or platform limitations which may result in substandard service, real or perceived.

This RFQ does not preclude contractors from representing specific BAS manufacturers; however, demonstrated ability to work within existing systems and standards will be evaluated as part of qualifications.

RFQ No. 200-JCPSFS-11182026-CR 3

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

To be considered, respondents must meet the following minimum requirements. Documentation will be provided for all items below and in an orderly format for review by Owner. Further verification of qualifications may be requested from Contractor prior to selection. Owner reserves the right to contact references, visit installations, and verify certifications and staffing. Owner reserves the right to not allow Contractors to submit, or reject the Contractor’s Statements of Qualifications, if they do not meet the qualifications or do not provide them in a timely manner.

● Contractor shall demonstrate a minimum of five consecutive years of experience in the design, installation, programming, and commissioning of the BAS platform and product line proposed for this Project.

● Contractor shall have a minimum of five Successful Projects completed within the last five years where the Contractor has performed the Anticipated Services on facilities similar to the Owner’s building types and complexity.

● Contractor shall have a minimum of three Successful Projects completed within the last five years that include coordination with a third-party Master Systems Integrator (MSI) for integration of the BAS installation into the associated project owner’s front-end.

● A Successful Project is considered to be a project that achieved final acceptance, was fully commissioned, is currently operational, and has no outstanding BAS-related corrective work, claims, or warranty disputes.

● Contractor shall be a direct, factory-authorized partner of the manufacturer for the proposed product line(s) as part of this RFQ, in good standing, and authorized at a level that permits system design, programming, commissioning, and service without reliance on third parties.

● Contractor shall maintain a fully staffed local office within fifty (50) miles of the Owner, with permanent, full-time W-2 employees capable of performing BAS programming, checkout, commissioning, and service.

● Contractor shall be a Certified Tridium Systems Integrator.

● Contractor shall have a minimum of seven, Niagara Technical Certification Program (TCP) certified personnel. All required certifications shall be held by permanent, full-time W-2 employees of the Contractor in the local office and shall remain available for the Anticipated Services for its duration.

Certifications held by subcontractors, consultants, or temporary personnel shall not be accepted.

● Contractor shall have a minimum of seven personnel who are certified in the proposed product line(s) as part of this RFQ. All required certifications shall be held by permanent, full-time W-2 employees of the Contractor in the local office and shall remain available for the Anticipated Services for its duration.

Certifications held by subcontractors, consultants, or temporary personnel shall not be accepted.

● Contractor shall maintain an in-house BAS service department capable of providing routine maintenance and emergency support. Contractor shall demonstrate the ability to respond to service requests within twenty-four (24) hours and shall identify local service personnel assigned to the Anticipated Services.

● BAS programming, graphics development, database creation, and system commissioning shall be performed by the Contractor’s permanent, full-time W-2 employees. Subcontracting of these functions is not permitted.

● Contractor shall be a current and licensed North Carolina Heating Group 2 Contractor and hold a current North Carolina Unlimited Classification License for Electrical.

● Insurance requirements:

o 1. Worker’s Compensation:

o a. Employer’s Liability

RFQ No. 200-JCPSFS-11182026-CR 4

▪ $100,000 Each Accident

▪ $1,000,000 Disease, Policy, Limit

▪ $100,000 Disease, Each Employee o 2. Commercial General Liability (including premises/operations, independent contractors, products and completed operations):

▪ a. Bodily Injury & Property Damage (combine single limit):$1,000,000 Each

Occurrence, $2,000,000 Aggregate

▪ b. Products and completed operation to be maintained for one (1) after final payment.

o 3. Contractual Liability (Hold Harmless Coverage):

▪ a. Bodily Injury & Property Damage (combined single limit): $1,000,000 Each

Occurrence, $2,000,000 Annual Aggregate o 4. Personal Injury, with employment exclusion deleted:

▪ a. $1,000,000 Annual Aggregate o 5. Comprehensive Automotive Liability (owned, non-owned and hired):

a. Bodily Injury & Property Damage (combine single limit): $1,000,000 Each Accident o 6. Excess Liability (umbrella): Minimum Limits

▪ a. $10,000,000 Over Primary Insurance

▪ b. Policies must follow the form of the base policies.

o 7. Professional Liability

▪ a. $1,000,000 per occurrence, $2,000,000 Aggregate

● Contractor shall have demonstrated ability to support multiple concurrent projects and projects in actively occupied facilities.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Statements of Qualifications will be evaluated using the criteria below.

1. Past Performance (50%)

● Contractor’s past performance for previous work, both in progress and/or completed. Where submitting contractor has not provided services to Owner, past performance will be evaluated based on references for customers serviced by the same office and personnel team proposed for JCPS. Performance by other branches, divisions, or offices shall not be applicable. See “BAS Expertise” for experience given the highest priority. Provide a minimum of three projects.

● No project goes perfectly, and issues will arise. Contractor shall document issues for the projects submitted, how those issues were or are actively being mitigated and solved in a timely manner, and/or how the project has resulted in a different approach or lessons learned by the Contractor.

RFQ No. 200-JCPSFS-11182026-CR 5

2. BAS Expertise (15%)

● Experience delivering the Anticipated Services. Experience with K-12 shall be given the highest priority.

Community colleges and/or small university/colleges shall be given second priority. Any other experience shall be given the lowest priority.

● Demonstrated expertise directly relevant to Owner’s facilities, in accordance with the Anticipated Services.

● Demonstrated expertise in Tridium-based BAS. Experience in additional BAS manufacturers shall not be applicable.

3. Proposed BAS Team and Technical Depth (10%)

● Qualifications and experience of assigned programmers and technicians, including:

o Controls programming o Field commissioning o Troubleshooting operational BAS issues

● Current workload, depth of bench, and ability to support and organize one or more concurrent projects.

● Project Management effectiveness, change order and issue correction handling, communications, and warranty period.

4. Proximity and Local Familiarity (5%)

● Location of the office and identified personnel proposed.

● Familiarity with Johnston County codes, standards, and practices.

5. Interview Performance (20%)

FORMAT OF RFQ RESPONSE

Respondents should craft their Statement of Qualifications to assist with the evaluation criteria above.

Submissions shall be limited to ten (10) pages, excluding attachments.

1. Core Submission

● Include documentation and qualifications in support of the Selection Criteria, including but not limited to:

o Documentation of similar projects/experience (#1 above).

o Proposed office/branch, associated personnel, and technical expertise (#2 through 4 above).

2. Required Attachments (Not Included in Page Limit)

● Provide one (1) example from a relevant past project for each of the following:

o BAS system performance review or functional verification summary.

o BAS issues log/open service requests and resolution tracking documentation.

● Requested disclosures (if applicable)

3. Optional Attachments (Not Included in Page Limit)

● Applicable letters of recommendation or references and associated contact information.

RFQ No. 200-JCPSFS-11182026-CR 6

ANTICIPATED TIMELINE FOR RFQ

Issue of RFQ November 4, 2026

RFQ Questions Due November, 11, 2026

RFQ Answers to Questions Issued November 12, 2026

RFQ Responses Due Wednesday, November 18, 2026

Contractor Interviews to follow if we see necessary to narrow down selected vendor(s).

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

● Qualifications shall be received electronically via email to Josh Woodard, joshuawoodard@johnston.k12.nc.us by 2:00pm on Wednesday, November 18, 2026

● Submissions shall be addressed to:

Josh Woodard, Facility Design and Construction Department Johnston County Public Schools joshuawoodard@johnston.k12.nc.us Subject Line: BAS Service Contractor, RFQ Response, Company Name

● Questions regarding this RFQ must be submitted electronically no later than 5:00 PM on November 11, 2026. Responses will be distributed to all known respondents. Questions shall be addressed to:

Josh Woodard, Facility Design and Construction Department Johnston County Public Schools joshuawoodard@johnston.k12.nc.us Subject Line: BAS Service Contractor, RFQ Questions, Company Name

● Upon receipt of proposals, firms will be evaluated in detail and potentially invited to interview with the selection committee. Following selection, contract terms, conditions, and fees will be negotiated with the selected firm. In the event contract negotiations are unsuccessful with the selected firm, the selection committee will select another firm to begin negotiations with.

● Owner reserves the right to reject any and all Statements of Qualifications, request clarifications, or request additional information as part of the RFQ process.

● Businesses that qualify for NC the Small Business Enterprise Program are encouraged to bid

RFQ No. 200-JCPSFS-11182026-CR 7 mailto:joshuawoodard@johnston.k12.nc.us