DISTRICT 1 HQ HVAC IMPROVEMENTS Questions and Answers

Florida Department of Transportation is soliciting bids for HVAC improvements at its District 1 headquarters in Polk County, Florida, with bids due November 24, 2026. The Q&A file identifies no set-asides or preference programs.

Scope centers on replacing chillers and installing new air handlers, VAV boxes, piping, and electrical infrastructure, along with ductwork, insulation, diffusers, and ceiling tile replacement. New systems must integrate into the existing Building Automation System managed by ABC Controls. The project is structured as a base bid, already completed under a previous contract, plus multiple additive alternates representing the primary scope, each a standalone complete installation.

Contractors bear responsibility for demolition and disposal, concrete restoration, crane operations and rigging, traffic control, utility locates, and testing and balancing of HVAC systems, including determining crane size and lifting requirements. The building remains operational, so work proceeds floor by floor with air scrubbers maintaining air quality. FDOT vacates each work area and removes personnel items, but cubicles remain and materials must be staged around them.

A second site visit was approved so bidders can verify existing conditions before the bid deadline. Schedule extensions are available for documented manufacturer delivery delays on major equipment beyond the contractor's control, provided justification is submitted. Key clarifications address concrete demolition limits, existing electrical panels, roofing warranty requirements, existing roof curb adapters, and equipment substitution procedures. Detailed specifications and site plans will be provided to the awarded contractor at or before the pre-construction meeting.