Architectural and Engineering Services for UNH Combined Heat & Power Plant Equipment Replacement

The University System of New Hampshire, representing the University of New Hampshire, is requesting qualifications and proposals for architectural and engineering design services for the Combined Heat & Power Plant Major Equipment Replacement project in Durham, with statements of qualifications due August 31, 2026, and formal proposals due October 26, 2026. The solicitation is open to all qualified firms eligible to do business in New Hampshire, with minority and women-owned firms encouraged to participate.

The scope encompasses replacement of three existing 1960s boilers with two 1,200 horsepower fire tube steam boilers, new heat exchangers, feedwater and condensate systems, piping infrastructure, electrical upgrades including a 1.5 MVA transformer and 480V switchboards, an 800 kilowatt exterior diesel generator, and a new 32-inch boiler stack. The A/E firm will deliver pre-design, schematic design, design development, and construction documents with rough order of magnitude pricing, comprehensive construction administration through substantial completion, commissioning, training, and turnover. Critical deliverables include a Quality Control Program, preliminary project schedule, updated cost estimates at each design phase, cost alignment confirmation at phase progression, Building Information Modeling, record drawings in Revit and AutoCAD 2025 formats, and equipment technical manuals. The design professional must maintain comprehensive insurance including $1 million Professional Liability (minimum eight years post-final payment), $2 million Commercial General Liability, and $1 million Business Automobile Liability, with USNH listed as additional insured.

The construction budget is $20 million. The project will be delivered using a Construction Manager at Risk model with CM engagement at schematic design completion. The anticipated schedule includes A/E award in November 2026, Design Development by May 2027, construction documents and Guaranteed Maximum Price completion by September 2027, construction commencement in May 2028, and completion by April 2029. Compensation is stipulated fee on a modified ConsensusDocs 240 basis, with payment distributed across phases: 20 percent schematic design, 25 percent design development, 25 percent construction documents, 25 percent construction phase, 5 percent final completion and warranty support. Additional services are quoted separately as lump sum fees upon Owner authorization.

A mandatory informational meeting is scheduled for September 21, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at the project site. Written questions are due October 5, 2026. Interviews and oral presentations are scheduled for November 2, 2026. Qualifications submissions must include cover letter, firm business information, completed Statement of Qualifications, three to five Project Data Forms for comparable projects completed in the past five years, key personnel identification with resumes, and surety bonding capacity letter meeting U.S. Treasury Department Circular 570 requirements.