AHEC-26919-Q - Campus Electrical Distribution System Compreh

The Auraria Higher Education Center (AHEC), a Colorado state entity, is soliciting qualifications through Request for Qualifications (RFQ) AHEC-26919-Q for consulting firms to develop a comprehensive Campus Electrical Distribution System Plan for the 150-acre Auraria Campus serving approximately 43,000 students, faculty, and staff across three partner institutions. The project scope includes four primary tasks: detailed capacity review and evaluation of the existing electrical distribution and energy systems; operational, reliability, and construction planning; evaluation of alternate energy solutions; and coordination with utility providers. Qualified firms must demonstrate experience with comprehensive electrical capacity studies for complex distribution systems, must not have been previously terminated by the State for non-performance, must have been in business under the same name for five years, and must attend and sign in at the mandatory pre-submittal conference scheduled for April 13, 2026, at 10:00 AM at the Facilities Annex, 1200 7th Street, Denver, Colorado 80204. Preference is given to firms with electrical engineers on staff and those with experience with investor-owned utility services and automatic throw-over systems. The evaluation process consists of two steps: Step I evaluates prequalification submittals against criteria including project team qualifications, firm capabilities, prior experience, project approach, equity and diversity initiatives, and work location proximity, with Step II involving interviews with three to five shortlisted firms focusing on project team capabilities and management approach. Key deadlines include the prequalification submittal deadline of May 4, 2026, at 2:00 PM Mountain Time, announcement of shortlisted firms on May 12, 2026, interviews on May 19, 2026, contract negotiations May 20-29, 2026, and an anticipated project start date of June 1, 2026, with completion by April 1, 2027.

This procurement includes a workforce requirement that Colorado labor must perform at least 80% of the work, with preference given to Colorado resident vendors and to firms demonstrating equity and diversity initiatives. No incumbent vendor has been identified for this new solicitation. The consultant agreement is subject to Colorado State Buildings Program standard terms and includes professional liability insurance requirements, compliance with accessibility standards, and comprehensive confidentiality and data protection obligations. The project is funded through the State of Colorado with Fund Number 1000, Account Number 1000-1250-53121-1023-A01-1004402. The estimated project cost is $275,000. The existing campus electrical infrastructure currently operates with two redundant 16.92MW Xcel Energy feeders feeding an Automatic Throw-Over Switchgear, with existing peak loads of approximately 8.4 to 8.8MW and projected demand expected to reach 16.82MW to support planned campus development through 2035, including seven planned projects with completion dates ranging from 2025 to 2027.