Request for Qualifications and Invite to Prequalify to Bid for Greenview Knolls Elementary School VRF System Replacement

Contractors interested in submitting construction bids for the VRF System Replacement at Greenview Knolls Elementary School in Great Mills, Maryland, for the Board of Education of St. Mary's County (hereinafter referred to as the "Board"), are invited to prequalify in accordance with the Prequalification Process of St. Mary's County Public Schools, (herein referred to as "SMCPS") and the requirements of this Prequalification Package.

The Board and SMPCS are conducting the competitive sealed bidding for the Project through a multistep sealed bidding process, to be conducted in accordance with COMAR Title 14, Subtitle 39.03.08. Multistep sealed bidding is a multiphase process in which bidders submit a technical offer (statement of qualifications) and related documentation, and a second phase in which those bidders who are determined qualified during the first phase may have their price bids considered.

This Project is generally comprised of, but not limited to, the following:

• Replacement of an existing VRF System at Greenview Knolls Elementary.
• Rooftop VRF heat pumps, refrigerant lines, thermostats and indoor evaporator units will be replaced in kind with current, A2L type VRF compatible systems.
• All electrical connections and upgrades will be required.
• All existing refrigerant is to be collected and removed in accordance with all EPA requirements.
• Start Date anticipated June of 2027 following the end of the school year. Substantial Completion anticipated August of 2027 prior to the staff and students returning for the school year.
• Work cannot take place in occupied areas. Evenings and weekends may be made available.
• The project is Locally funded therefore Maryland Prevailing Wage or Davis-Bacon Wage scales do not apply.

**Submission:** Applications shall be received by **hand delivery or email delivery**. Contractors must submit one (1) copy of a fully completed prequalification application. Each copy of the Application must include:

• *Contractor's Application to Prequalify to Bid* (Page D-1)
• *Contractor's Project Specific Qualifications and Supporting Documentation Cover Sheet and Certification* (Page E-1)
• *Vendor's Qualification Questionnaire* (Pages F-1 to F-6)
• Supporting Documentation as listed in the Instructions to Contractors

The outside of the envelope shall be clearly marked "Prequalification Application RFP: #SMCPS-2027-05-DSS-DC." It is the Contractor's responsibility to confirm delivery of their submission via email to vajohnston@smcps.org

Evaluation Factors:

• Contractor's understanding of the scope, and schedule of the work;
• Contractor's prior experience with projects of similar size and scope;
• Contractor's plan for management of the project, and the organizational structure proposed for the project;
• Experience of Contractor's individual staff members with projects of similar size and scope;
• Contractor's plan to satisfy the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) requirements for the Project, if applicable; and
• Other factors identified by SMCPS in the attached SMCPS Prequalification Process for Construction Projects and Instructions to Contractors.

General contractors, acting as the prime contractor, are the only contractors permitted and required to prequalify to bid for the Project. Subcontractors are not required to prequalify.

A letter to SMCPS from an acceptable surety is **required** confirming that the Contractor has sufficient bonding capacity and standing with the surety for the surety to issue a bid bond for the Contractor in the amount of five percent (5%) of the **$1,500,000** Estimated Construction Cost should the Contractor be prequalified to bid.