RECS RFP Design Two New Holding Cells MCF-TOGO

The Minnesota Department of Administration's Real Estate and Construction Services (RECS) is seeking architectural and engineering services to design two new wet holding cells at the Minnesota Correctional Facility (MCF) in Togo, located in Itasca County. The project, identified as RECS Project #78TH0044, requires full professional services including architectural, electrical, mechanical HVAC, and plumbing engineering design for converting existing staff lodging rooms into two holding cells. Key deliverables include comprehensive design documents that meet American Correctional Association (ACA) standards, with specific requirements to evaluate and upgrade existing HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and sprinkler systems. A mandatory on-site pre-bid conference is scheduled for March 15, 2024, with project questions due by March 19, 2024, and final proposal submissions required by March 28, 2024. Proposal evaluations will focus on key personnel qualifications, relevant experience, approach and methodology, project scheduling, and fee structure, with the anticipated contract term running from April 2024 to April 2026 and potential three-year extension options.

The RFP provides preferences for targeted group and economically disadvantaged businesses, including small businesses based in Minnesota, and those majority-owned by racial minorities, women, persons with disabilities, or veterans. Veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses may receive additional consideration through a specific preference form. A preliminary project cost estimate from the Holding Cell Addition Study suggests a total project budget ranging from $331,000 for a single-cell option to $497,900 for the two-cell design. The solicitation requires respondents to submit multiple exhibits, including a qualifications proposal, fee proposal, affidavit of non-collusion, and proof of insurance coverage. A structural engineer will be specifically required to evaluate and provide design documentation for the cell addition. The contract will mandate weekly on-site meetings during the construction phase and require the selected vendor to attend a pre-construction meeting, ensuring close collaboration and oversight throughout the project implementation.