127EAW26Q0053 - Kern River Ranger District HVAC

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service seeks design-build HVAC renovation at the Kern River Ranger District office in Kernville, California, with proposals due August 27, 2026, under a Total Small Business Set-Aside. The procurement is restricted to firms meeting the $19 million NAICS 238220 small business size standard; only firms holding active California Class B or C-20 HVAC contractor licenses may quote.

Place of performance is Kernville, California. A mandatory site visit is scheduled August 13, 2026 at 0900 AM Pacific Time; RSVPs are required to Gregory.Cunningham@usda.gov. Requests for Information using the provided RFI Form are due August 19, 2026 at 1000 AM Pacific Time; no questions are accepted after this deadline.

The existing Trane Variable Refrigerant Flow system installed in 2018 has failed and is no longer manufacturer-supported. The scope is design-build with all labor, materials, tools, equipment, and Architect-Engineer services required. The contractor must design a modern, appropriately sized replacement system serviceable by local technicians, avoiding VRF if possible in favor of multi-unit outdoor or locally repairable equipment. Design must include an energy recovery ventilator at minimum for outside air preconditioning and comply with the Buy America Act. Space temperatures must maintain 75°F while cooling and 70°F while heating during office hours, accounting for elevation and California Building Climate Zone 14 conditions.

Performance schedule: Notice to Proceed within 10 days of award; design completion within 30 calendar days; construction completion within 45 calendar days; and shop drawings within 45 business days. As-built drawings are due within 45 days of installation completion, and testing and balancing within 5 days of installation completion. Work is limited to non-holiday weekdays, Monday–Friday, 0700–1900.

The estimated project magnitude is $250,000 to $500,000. Firm fixed price is anticipated. Bid guarantees of 20 percent of bid price or $1,000,000, whichever is less, are required; performance and payment bonds are due within 10 days after award. Quotations must include SF 1442, Schedule of Items with detailed pricing, technical approach (not to exceed 5 pages), key personnel qualifications (not to exceed 3 pages), performance schedule in network or Gantt chart format (not to exceed 2 pages), three past performance references from similar projects completed within the last three years (not to exceed 3 pages), and scanned bid guarantee documents.

Evaluation prioritizes technical approach (work plan and capability, key personnel qualifications and experience, detailed performance schedule), contractor license verification, acceptable or neutral past performance, and fair and reasonable pricing. Award goes to the highest technically rated offeror meeting price and past performance thresholds. Architect-Engineer and project managers or lead designers must hold professional architect or engineer licenses with minimum 5 years' experience. Davis-Bacon Act prevailing wage applies (California General Decision CA20260020, effective July 14, 2026). Project Manager designation and key personnel assignments (Project Superintendent, Quality Control Manager, Project Safety Manager, Emergency Contact, modification signatory) are required before work begins. Invoices must be submitted through the Department of Treasury Invoice Processing Platform.