MSH Central Kitchen Air Conditioning

The California Department of State Hospitals (DSH) is requesting bids under IFB #26-20063 for supplemental cooling installation at the central kitchen of DSH-Metropolitan in Norwalk, with bids due October 12, 2026 at 3:00 PM and a mandatory bidders conference on September 18, 2026.

Bidders must hold current California Contractors' State Licenses classified as B (General Building Contractor), C-20 (Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning), and C-10 (Electrical). A five percent small business preference is available to certified small businesses, or to non-small businesses committing to subcontract at least 25 percent of the net bid price to certified small businesses. DVBE participation has been waived with zero percent mandatory participation, though voluntary DVBE identification qualifies for DVBE Incentive consideration.

The scope includes two new outdoor air conditioning units with piping and supports, eight new indoor wall-mounted mini-split units, new refrigerant and condensate piping, and all electrical work required to power and control the mechanical equipment. The design utilizes Samsung Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) equipment — one 12-ton outdoor condensing unit (OU1), one 4-ton outdoor unit (OU2), and eight indoor units (IU1-IU8) rated at 24 MBH cooling capacity each. All work must comply with 2022 California Building, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Fire codes, including seismic bracing with pre-approved systems and fire-rated penetration details using 3M firestop systems. Condensate drainage must include level sensors with automatic system shutdown capabilities.

Bids are submitted on a lump-sum basis. Bidder's security of ten percent of the bid amount is required; successful awardees must furnish performance and payment bonds each in the amount of 100 percent of the contract price. Work is subject to prevailing wage requirements at August 2026 Department of Industrial Relations rates, with mandatory contractor registration and electronic certified payroll reporting.

Questions are due September 28, 2026 at 2:00 PM, with responses posted by September 30, 2026. Public bid opening is October 13, 2026 at 10:00 AM. Award is expected within 60 calendar days of the bid date, subject to fund availability. Attendance at the mandatory bidders conference on September 18, 2026 at 9:00 AM at the MSH Plant Operations Office must be confirmed by September 11, 2026 at 3:00 PM.