HVAC Upgrade Stanley T. Williams Community Center (STWCC)

The Town of North Branford, Connecticut Parks & Recreation Department is requesting proposals for design-build replacement and upgrade of the HVAC system at Stanley T. Williams Community Center (STWCC) under RFP 927024, with proposals due September 16, 2026 at 11:00 AM and a mandatory pre-proposal walkthrough on September 2, 2026 at 10:00 AM.

The facility, a 33,000-square-foot building constructed in 1967 at 1332 Middletown Avenue, Northford, currently operates with two HB Smith oil boilers (1,709,000 BTU each), mini splits and air handlers for air conditioning, and a 1,000-gallon indirect water heater. The scope is a turnkey replacement including removal and disposal of existing equipment, furnishing and installation of new HVAC systems, permitting, rigging, controls integration, engineered drawings, and installation of a heat system for an outside ramp. The project requires replacement of outdated Nematic thermostats and zone valves with a building management system (BMS) controls system and evaluation of A/C system upgrades. Two Lochinvar natural gas boilers (approximately five years old) from the high school are available for potential conversion to propane and reuse if feasible. Work will occur in an occupied building and requires careful after-hours coordination.

Connecticut prevailing wage rates apply. Contractors must submit a detailed cost analysis broken down by trade with base and optional pricing, a bid bond equal to 10 percent of total bid, and a 100 percent labor, material, and performance bond. Certificates of insurance are required: comprehensive general liability minimum $1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 combined aggregate, auto liability $1,000,000 combined single limit, excess/umbrella liability $1,000,000 per occurrence, and workers' compensation at statutory limits. A minimum one-year warranty for labor and installation is required.

Evaluation emphasizes qualifications of dedicated staff (25 percent), projects of similar size and scope (20 percent), completeness of response (15 percent), and price (40 percent). The anticipated timeline is RFP review in late September, interviews in early October, award in mid-October, town council approval in mid-October, notice to proceed at the end of October, and project completion by March 31, 2027. Digital submissions should be directed to bids@nbct.us. The Town reserves the right to award within 120 days of RFP opening and may award to multiple vendors. Contractors must maintain current tax compliance with the Town to be eligible for award.