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

The Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Facilities Management, is requesting qualifications from architectural and engineering consultants to design the upgrade of heat plant controls systems at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo (CMHHIP) campus, with submittals due August 14, 2026 at 2:00 PM Mountain Daylight Time. This is a qualification-based selection (RFQ 2027-026M26 Phase 1), and attendance at a mandatory pre-submittal conference and site tour held July 22, 2026 at 10:00 AM at 1600 W. 24th Street, Building 49, Pueblo, Colorado, is required for eligibility.

The scope encompasses design and engineering for replacement of legacy heat plant controls installed in 2004—currently operating on obsolete Windows XP and Windows 10 systems and outdated programmable logic controllers—that serve a 24/7/365 facility providing 125# steam and soft water to over 60 facilities across multiple state departments. Work includes upgrading three operating systems, all boiler controls, coal and soot blower systems, ash controls, and implementing three new control software programs and four computer hardware systems with comprehensive reprogramming and field service integration. The design must evaluate potential conversion of pneumatic controls to DDC-controlled devices and integrate existing boiler gas monitoring, emergency stop stations, and venting systems. A standalone controls network separate from the state's OIT infrastructure is required. The facility is Class 1 Division 1 rated per the National Electrical Code and must comply with 2024 International Building Code standards and the Buy Clean Colorado Act for eligible materials.

Minimum qualifications require demonstrated design experience on at least two similar projects exceeding $5,000,000 in hard costs utilizing Colorado office expertise; operation under the same business name for at least two years; no prior termination by the State for non-performance; and 80% Colorado labor employment under C.R.S. 8-17-101. Preference is given to Colorado resident vendors and Colorado labor. The estimated project cost is $3.29 million in hard costs. Design starts October 5, 2026, with construction anticipated May to November 2027. This is Phase 1 of a potential two-phase undertaking, with the State reserving discretion to award additional similar work without public advertisement. Short-list announcement is August 21, 2026; oral interviews are scheduled for the week of August 31, 2026; selection is anticipated September 10, 2026. All submittals become property of the State and will not be returned.