Rehabilitation/Renovation Services

The Housing Authority of the City of Danbury is issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ No. RQ26001) for comprehensive rehabilitation and renovation services at Wooster Manor, a 98-unit senior residential apartment building located at 36 West Wooster Street in Danbury, Connecticut. This procurement seeks a qualified general contractor to oversee substantial capital improvements to the seven-story property constructed in 1968, including architectural and exterior facade upgrades, unit interior renovations, common area improvements, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing system upgrades. Specific deliverables encompass window and door replacements, kitchen and bathroom fixture upgrades, boiler replacements, electrical panel upgrades (including Federal Pacific Electric panel replacements in 92 units), fire sprinkler modernization, emergency call system installation, copper plumbing supply line replacements, and balcony railing replacements. The project will be funded through a HUD Section 221(d)(4) substantial rehabilitation loan as part of HUD's Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Program, converting all units to project-based Section 8 assistance. The solicitation period runs from February 9, 2026 at 8:30 AM EST through March 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST, with a vendor Q&A period from February 10, 2026 at 8:30 AM EST through February 26, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST. Interviews are scheduled for March 30, 2026 via Zoom/Teams, with anticipated Board approval prior to April 30, 2026, and construction expected to begin in early 2027 with an 18-month contract period commencing upon loan closing. Evaluation criteria include technical capabilities (30 points), financial strength (15 points), demonstrated HUD experience including 221(d)(4) program participation (35 points), anticipated overhead and profit percentages (10 points), and women/minority/small business enterprise status with Section 3 commitments (10 points combined). Required qualifications mandate contractors demonstrate technical capabilities, financial strength with proof of working capital equivalent to 5% of the construction contract value, bonding capacity of at least $10 million, and extensive experience with similar HUD-financed projects.

All vendors are eligible to respond to this solicitation, with preference points available for women, minority, and small business enterprises (WMBE) and demonstrated Section 3 program commitments. No incumbent vendor or current contractor has been identified in the procurement documentation. All work must comply with Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements and Section 3 program standards applicable to HUD-financed projects. Critical repairs totaling $66,000 must be completed prior to loan closing, while non-critical repairs valued at $518,000 must be completed within one year of closing. The overall project scope reflects a 20-year capital reserve period totaling approximately $1.87 million when adjusted for inflation, though specific award values or total contract budgets have not been disclosed in the solicitation materials. Interested contractors should direct questions to Lisa Gilchrist at the Danbury Housing Authority, 2 Mill Ridge Road, Danbury, Connecticut 06811, by telephone at 203-744-2500 or by email at lGilchrist@hacdct.org.