2027-026M26- Upgrade Heat Plant Controls Systems, Building 3

The Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Facilities Management, is requesting qualifications for architect/engineer/consultant services to design the replacement of heat plant controls and operating systems at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo (CMHHIP) under RFQ 2027-026M26, with qualifications due August 14, 2026 at 2:00 PM. Mandatory attendance and sign-in at the pre-submittal conference on July 22, 2026 at 10:00 AM is required for consideration. This is Phase 1 of a possible two-phase project; the State retains discretionary authority to award Phase 2 work without public advertisement.

The scope encompasses design services to replace legacy controls installed in 2004 that operate on obsolete Windows XP and Windows 10 systems. Work includes upgrades to three operating systems, all boiler controls, coal and soot blower systems, ash programmable logic controls, and three new control software programs plus four computer hardware systems. The heat plant serves 60+ facilities across multiple state departments, operating continuously to provide steam and soft water. The facility operates two coal boilers installed in 1988 and two dual-fuel boilers (natural gas and diesel) added in 2007. Design services cover all phases from schematic design through post-construction, with construction scheduled for May through November 2027.

Minimum requirements include absence of prior State termination for non-performance, operation under the same business name for two years, and demonstrated design experience on at least two projects each exceeding $5 million in hard costs. Colorado labor must comprise at least 80% of the work per C.R.S. 8-17-101. The Buy Clean Colorado Act applies, requiring designers to include Environmental Product Declarations meeting maximum acceptable global warming potential limits for eligible materials.

The estimated project cost is $3,293,196. Evaluation criteria include project team qualifications, firm/team capabilities, prior experience, project approach, equity and diversity initiatives, and work location proximity. Short-list announcement is August 21, 2026; oral interviews are scheduled for the week of August 31, 2026; and selection announcement is September 10, 2026. Anticipated design start is October 5, 2026. Requests for clarifications are due July 31, 2026 at 2:00 PM; final addendum issuance is August 7, 2026.