RECS RFP Cx for Mechanical System Analysis Improve

The Minnesota Department of Administration, Real Estate and Construction Services (RECS) is requesting proposals for commissioning services to assess and improve the HVAC system at the Minnesota State Retirement Building in Saint Paul, with proposals due September 15, 2026, and a mandatory site visit on September 1, 2026.

The scope includes comprehensive performance assessment of existing building equipment and systems: HVAC system evaluation (air handling units, chillers, boilers, pumps, exhaust systems, controls, variable frequency drives, and variable air volume systems), building envelope evaluation, functional performance testing, feasibility analysis of district energy chilled water utilization, and preparation of a final commissioning report with recommendations for improvement. The work includes field assessments, controls documentation review, and diagnostic inspection requiring removal and patching of building panels and drywall for air and vapor barrier assessment.

Responding firms must be registered professional engineers, architects, landscape architects, or land surveyors in Minnesota. Attendance at the mandatory site visit meeting (September 1, 2026, 10:00 a.m. at the MSRS Front Lobby, 60 Empire Drive, Saint Paul) is required for consideration; pre-registration closes August 27, 2026. Questions are due September 3, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. CT, with answers provided by September 8, 2026.

The contract runs October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2028, with an option to extend for up to three additional years in State-determined increments; final project completion is estimated for February 2027. Evaluation uses a 100-point best-value scale: Key Persons and Specialists (20 points), Work illustrating qualifications (20 points), Approach/methodology/work plan/schedule (20 points), Unique qualifications (10 points), and Fee Proposal (30 points). Reimbursable expenses are limited to printing, plans, reports, electronic files, mail, and long-distance calls, with most included in basic services fees. Awarded consultant must obtain badging at $10.60 per badge. Insurance requirements include Workers' Compensation ($100,000/$500,000), Commercial General Liability ($2,000,000), Commercial Automobile Liability ($2,000,000), and Professional/Technical Errors and Omissions ($2,000,000 with $50,000 maximum deductible). Optional Veteran-Owned and Resident Vendor preference forms are available. Contact: Samantha Hicks, Minnesota Administration Department, 651-201-2389, Samantha.Hicks@state.mn.us.