A/E Services for HVAC, Electrical and Energy Upgrades

The Colorado Department of Education is requesting qualifications for architect/engineer services for HVAC, electrical, and energy upgrades at the Colorado Talking Book Library in Denver, with prequalification submittals due July 30, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. This is a qualifications-based selection (RFQ), not a competitive bid process. Under Colorado Revised Statutes Section 8-17-101, at least 80 percent of work must be performed by Colorado labor, and preference is given to Colorado resident vendors.

The scope includes design and oversight of HVAC system replacements (eight rooftop units and a mini-split server-room system), modernization of lighting controls with occupancy sensors and daylight harvesting, ventilation improvements, and building automation system integration for the 25,818 square foot 1974-constructed facility. The selected A/E firm must include as a prime consultant or subconsultant a qualified professional certified to conduct an ASHRAE Level II Energy Audit. The firm must also comply with the Buy Clean Colorado Act by specifying Environmental Product Declarations for eligible materials with global warming potential limits established by the Office of the State Architect. The A/E is expected to identify hazardous materials before construction and provide professional guidance on audit scope and implementation strategies.

The construction budget is $845,164 with a total project budget of $1.179689 million including design fees and contingencies. A/E compensation is structured as fixed fees per phase plus reimbursable expenses, with additional services at agreed wage rates plus 1.15 times consultant costs. The contract extends one year beyond substantial completion or warranty expiration, whichever is later.

Evaluation criteria (weighted across two phases) include project team qualifications and subconsultant experience, firm capabilities, prior similar-project experience with references, project approach including budget methodology and schedule management, equity and diversity initiatives, work location considerations, and facility-specific expertise including occupied-building and archival-collection risk mitigation. A short list will be announced approximately August 20, 2026, with oral interviews scheduled for August 26, 2026 at the CTBL facility. Award is anticipated August 27, 2026, with contract execution no later than November 5, 2026. Submittals must be uploaded via Box.com and become the property of the State; respondents must acknowledge receipt of all addenda and accept A/E agreement terms without reservation or submit formal redlines before solicitation closure.