RFSQ - SLC School District - Design Professional Services - Geothermal

The Salt Lake City School District (SLCSD) is conducting a Request for Statements of Qualifications (RFSQ) to establish a Closed-Ended Approved Vendor List (AVL) for geothermal heating and cooling assessment and professional design services. The procurement seeks qualified firms or individuals to perform comprehensive geothermal system assessments across 10-12 district facilities over an 18-month period. Specific deliverables include geological and hydrological investigations, ground heat exchanger assessments, thermal modeling, construction drawings, regulatory permitting support, and field oversight of drilling operations. Vendors will be evaluated using a 1,000-point scoring system across five key areas: Vendor Qualifications and Relevant Company Experience (400 points), Project Team (200 points), Past Performance and References (150 points), Management Plan (150 points), and Safety Record (100 points). To be considered for the AVL, firms must score a minimum of 700 points and demonstrate expertise in closed and open loop geothermal systems, particularly for educational facility projects. The solicitation was posted on August 29, 2025, with responses due by September 17, 2025, and all questions must be submitted through the Bonfire electronic procurement system.

The procurement does not explicitly list specific set-aside designations or restrictions on respondent types, though the McKinstry Prequalification Application indicates a strong emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the selection process. Respondents will need to provide comprehensive documentation including valid business and contractor licenses, appropriate insurance, pre-qualification with McKinstry, and detailed safety performance documentation. While no specific budget range is listed, the scope suggests multiple geothermal assessment and design projects across district facilities. Vendors must maintain specific safety metrics, including an Experience Modification Rate (EMR) below 1.0, Recordable Incident Rate (RIR) under 5.0, and Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred (DART) rate below 2.0. The solicitation will result in an approved vendor list from which SLCSD can select design professionals for future geothermal projects, working in collaboration with McKinstry as the prime design consultant and general contractor.