Renovate Variable Flow Chilled Water Systems Phase1

The University of Northern Colorado is requesting sealed bids for the combined design-bid-build projects to renovate variable flow chilled water systems and upgrade building automation controls in James A. Michener Library (Project 2026-042M25) and multiple buildings (Project 2026-024M25), Phase 1, with bids due August 6, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. MT and a mandatory virtual pre-bid conference on July 23, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.

Bidder qualification is restricted by experience and regulatory requirements: no prior termination by the State for non-performance on State Buildings contracts; operation under the same business name for at least two years; demonstrated experience on at least two projects exceeding $3.5 million in similar scope and complexity utilizing Colorado office resources; and bonding capacity certification up to $3.5 million. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing subcontractors must be certified as participating in U.S. Department of Labor apprenticeship programs with a proven record of graduating a minimum of 15% of apprentices over three of the past five years.

Scope includes converting the existing chilled water system to variable flow operation through pump and controls upgrades and replacing aging building automation controls hardware. The project is subject to Colorado prevailing wage requirements, with contractors required to employ Colorado labor for at least 80% of work and utilize the LCPTracker cloud-based labor compliance application. Buy Clean Colorado Act requirements apply to eligible materials including asphalt, cement, concrete, glass, steel, and wood structural elements, requiring Environmental Product Declarations meeting specified global warming potential limits.

The estimated project cost is $3.1 million. Bid bonds in an amount not less than 5% of the total bid and payment and performance bonds of at least 50% of contract value are required. Requests for clarifications are due July 31, 2026, with final addendum anticipated by August 4, 2026. Award intent notification is anticipated for August 10, 2026, with contract approval by September 1, 2026 and anticipated construction commencement on September 10, 2026 and completion on June 1, 2027.