Request for Qualifications: Thornton Justice Center Chillers Replacement

The City of Thornton, located in Adams County, Colorado, has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Thornton Justice Center Chillers Replacement project (Project No. 25-105A), seeking to prequalify mechanical contractors for a comprehensive chiller system replacement. The project involves removing existing air-cooled condensing units and chillers at the Thornton Justice Center (9551 Civic Center Drive) and installing new water-cooled chillers with two potential equipment configurations: Option 1 featuring 320 tons of modular chillers using R-454B refrigerant, or Option 2 with 294 tons of water-cooled chillers using R-513A refrigerant. Contractors must submit comprehensive qualifications by 5:00 PM on August 29, 2025, demonstrating business history, financial resources, safety records, project experience, and workforce capabilities. Evaluation criteria will include technical experience, safety programs, municipal agency collaboration, and overall contractor qualifications. Key requirements include maintaining a three-year average Experience Modification Rating (EMR) of no greater than 1.0, providing detailed project references, and proving technical competence through representative project examples from the provided permit drawing set.

There are no specific set-aside designations mentioned for disadvantaged enterprises in the RFQ documents. Contractors must demonstrate a minimum bonding capacity of $2 million and the ability to bond projects at 100% of construction value. While no incumbent vendors are identified, the project requires integration with existing electrical infrastructure, with plans to reuse existing electrical panels and circuit breakers with minor modifications. Contractors interested in participating must request the RFQ in Word format by emailing adam.reiner@ThorntonCO.gov. The project is designed to comply with 2024 International Mechanical Code, International Energy Conservation Code, and ASHRAE standards, with a focus on maintaining the Justice Center's operational continuity during the replacement process. Although no specific award value or budget range is explicitly stated, the complexity of the chiller replacement and associated infrastructure work suggests a significant municipal investment in modernizing the facility's cooling systems.