ANNOUNCEMENT: Notice of Request for Qualifications (RFQ) #906-26-261-00-S-AB-RFQ

Austin Community College District is requesting qualifications for design-build services on a 240-kilowatt photovoltaic system for the Highland Campus South Parking Garage rooftop, with RFQ responses due February 11, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. CST and a mandatory solicitation conference on January 28, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. CST. This is a two-step competitive process: Step 1 RFQ responses will be evaluated, with up to five qualified firms advancing to Step 2 RFP submission due March 3, 2026. Small Local Business Enterprise (SLBE) participation is encouraged but not mandated.

The scope encompasses complete photovoltaic system design, engineering, construction, and installation including structural platform and racking systems, solar panels, inverters, electrical systems, monitoring equipment, permit preparation, and system commissioning. The selected contractor must comply with prevailing wage requirements (Davis-Bacon rates for Travis County), OSHA training mandates for all personnel, and federal domestic content certifications for steel, iron, and photovoltaic panels under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Required warranties are 25 years on PV modules, 10 years on inverters, 2 years on other components, and 2 years on overall system performance.

The project is budgeted at $1.2 million, with construction commencing no later than July 1, 2026 and full operational status by December 31, 2026. Respondents must demonstrate bonding capacity equal to 100% of the estimated project budget and maintain a 10% warranty bond of total contract price. Evaluation criteria weight technical competence and relevant experience at 30%, quality and completeness of qualifications at 25%, costing methodology and projected system value at 25%, warranty and training programs at 10%, and understanding of applicable tax credits and incentives at 10%. Insurance requirements include general liability ($2 million aggregate/$1 million per occurrence), workers' compensation, pollution liability ($1 million per occurrence/$2 million aggregate), and errors and omissions ($1 million/$3 million aggregate) coverage with ACC named as additional insured. Respondents in the competitive range will be notified February 20, 2026, with Board of Trustees approval anticipated April 6, 2026 and contract award April 27, 2026.