AHEC-26919-Q - Campus Electrical Distribution System Compreh

The Auraria Higher Education Center (AHEC), a Colorado state entity based in Denver County, Denver City, is soliciting qualifications through Request for Qualifications AHEC-26919-Q for a Campus Electrical Distribution System Comprehensive Plan. This procurement seeks a qualified consulting firm to develop a comprehensive electrical distribution system plan for the 150-acre Auraria Campus serving approximately 43,000 students, faculty, and staff across three partner institutions. The selected consultant will review and update the existing 2025 electrical capacity study, evaluate the campus's medium-voltage 13.2kV distribution system currently supplied by Xcel Energy through two redundant 16.92MW feeders, identify critical loads and redundancy opportunities, assess active load management options including load shedding and energy storage systems, and provide near-term solutions through 2035 to support campus growth and four new construction projects. Key deliverables include a comprehensive plan addressing campus growth, efficiency improvements, renewable energy deployment, and system resiliency, with the consultant having access to existing SKM electrical system models and as-built documentation. Required qualifications include firms that have not been previously terminated by the State for non-performance, have operated under the same business name for five years, and possess demonstrated experience creating comprehensive electrical capacity studies for complex distribution systems; preference is given to firms with electrical engineers on staff and experience with investor-owned utility services, automatic throw-over switchgear systems, and radial feed distribution system designs. The evaluation criteria focus on project team qualifications, firm capabilities, prior experience with similar projects, project approach including budget methodology and quality control, equity and diversity initiatives, and work location proximity to the Denver area. The mandatory pre-submittal conference is scheduled for April 13, 2026, at 10:00 AM at the Facilities Annex, 1200 7th Street, Denver; prequalification submittals are due May 4, 2026, at 2:00 PM Mountain Time; shortlisted firms will be interviewed on May 19, 2026; and selection will be announced on May 20, 2026, with an anticipated project start date of June 1, 2026, and completion expected by April 1, 2027.

There are no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises mentioned in the procurement documents; however, the evaluation criteria explicitly include consideration of equity and diversity initiatives as part of the selection process. The agreement requires compliance with Colorado labor law mandating that at least 80% of work be performed by Colorado residents and preference be given to Colorado resident vendors. The consultant will work with existing AHEC Facilities and Planning staff and coordinate with Xcel Energy through AHEC's designated account representative, integrating findings with the existing August 2025 Medium-Voltage Capacity Study that identified specific capacity constraints, particularly at the Holly Lot Switchgear which will exceed its 600A capacity with the addition of the Public Safety Building, and determined that Ballfield Phase 2 cannot be connected without modifications to existing infrastructure. The estimated project cost is $275,000, with compensation to be paid monthly based on performance and progress, with payment due within 45 days of receipt of properly executed applications for payment. The consultant must maintain multiple insurance coverages including $1,000,000 commercial general liability, $1,000,000 automobile liability, workers compensation insurance, and professional errors and omissions liability with minimum coverage of $250,000 per claim and $500,000 aggregate for projects under $1,000,000.