Southwestern Community College - Founders Building HVAC

Southwestern Community College is requesting proposals for design, engineering, equipment procurement, installation, and commissioning of a comprehensive HVAC system upgrade and modernization for the Founders Building on the Jackson County campus, RFP #2026-07-2, with sealed proposals due August 12, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. EST. The RFP encourages participation by Historically Underutilized Businesses with a goal of 10% utilization of diverse firms as subcontractors.

Vendors must be North Carolina registered, in good standing, and possess an eVP (Electronic Vendor Portal) number. The scope encompasses design and engineering stamped by a licensed NC Professional Engineer, building load and energy analysis, permitting and regulatory approvals, site preparation and demolition, construction and installation, testing and balancing, project timeline with identified milestones, and final documentation including as-built drawings and operations manuals. All work must comply with the North Carolina Mechanical Code, Energy Conservation Code, ASHRAE standards, ADA accessibility standards, and OSHA requirements. The system must address indoor air quality, safety, energy efficiency, condensate management, ductwork per SMACNA standards, and Building Automation System integration while maintaining aesthetic compatibility with existing campus architecture. Vendors must demonstrate financial stability via Certification of Financial Condition and provide at least three customer references for similar installations.

Evaluation is ranked by technical approach (highest priority), vendor qualifications, vendor experience, and pricing (lowest priority). Pricing shall be submitted as a lump-sum total cost including all design, soft costs, site preparation, equipment, controls, distribution infrastructure, testing, balancing, and closeout, with all taxes included. Manufacturer's standard warranty applies for a minimum of 12 months or the manufacturer's warranty period, whichever is longer. Project completion is required no later than February 8, 2027. Mandatory site visits must be scheduled by July 21, 2026. Written questions are due July 28, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. EST, with state responses by July 31, 2026. Proposals are submitted to Balsam Building, Room 109A, 447 College Drive, Sylva, NC 28779.