RFQ for Mechanical Engineering Design Services

Location:	North Carolina
Posted:	May 6, 2026
Due:	Jun 3, 2026
Agency:	State Government of North Carolina
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	C - Architect and Engineering Services - Construction
Solicitation No:	580#OCS 26-05-06
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

Solicitation Number:	580#OCS 26-05-06
Project Title:	RFQ for Mechanical Engineering Design Services
Description:	This is an invitation and request for a Statement of Qualifications (RFQ) for Mechanical Engineering Design services at A.L. Stanback Middle School for Orange County Schools (OCS). This RFQ is to select an engineering firm to outline an alternative HVAC design approach consisting of a like-in-kind replacement of the existing system. The intent is to replace the current single-zone constant volume (2-pipe) system with a functionally equivalent system to maintain operational simplicity while reducing overall project cost, construction impact, and schedule disruption while integrating a modern building controls system to improve operational efficiency and performance, using owner preferred vendor.
Opening Date:	6/3/2026 2:00 PM
Posted Date:	5/6/2026
Status:	Open
Department:	ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION


Solicitation Number * 580#OCS 26-05-06	Department ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION	Status Reason Open
Opening Date 2026-06-03T14:00:00.0000000	Posted Date * 2026-05-06T12:36:39.0000000Z	Primary Commodity Code Design Services
Mandatory Conference/Site Visit — —	Special Instructions —	Solicitation Type * Select RFP IFB RFI
Owner Melanie Gartrell
Description This is an invitation and request for a Statement of Qualifications (RFQ) for Mechanical Engineering Design services at A.L. Stanback Middle School for Orange County Schools (OCS). This RFQ is to select an engineering firm to outline an alternative HVAC design approach consisting of a like-in-kind replacement of the existing system. The intent is to replace the current single-zone constant volume (2-pipe) system with a functionally equivalent system to maintain operational simplicity while reducing overall project cost, construction impact, and schedule disruption while integrating a modern building controls system to improve operational efficiency and performance, using owner preferred vendor.

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Orange County Schools

Request for Statement of Qualifications (RFQ) for

Mechanical Engineering Design Services

#OCS 26-05-06_Mechanical Engineering Design Services

May 6, 2026

REQUEST FOR STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS

This is an invitation and request for a Statement of Qualifications (RFQ) for Mechanical Engineering

Design services at A.L. Stanback Middle School for Orange County Schools (OCS). This RFQ is to

select an engineering firm to outline an alternative HVAC design approach consisting of a like-in-kind

replacement of the existing system. The intent is to replace the current single-zone constant volume

(2-pipe) system with a functionally equivalent system to maintain operational simplicity while reducing

overall project cost, construction impact, and schedule disruption while integrating a modern building

controls system to improve operational efficiency and performance, using owner preferred vendor.

Responses to this Request for Statement of Qualifications will be received at the time and location

designated within, and shall include the information requested hereafter. Responses received after

this time will not be considered. A successful firm will be selected during the specified time above.

The need for interviews is not anticipated at this time, however OCS may request one if deemed

necessary.

It is the intent of this solicitation process to fully comply with G.S. 143-64.31 for the procurement of

Mechanical Engineering services, to announce all requirements for said services, to select firms

qualified to provide such services on the basis of demonstrated competence and qualification for the

type of professional services required without regard to fee other than unit price information at this

stage, and thereafter to negotiate a contract for those services at a fair and reasonable fee with the

best qualified firm. If a contract cannot be negotiated with the best qualified firm, OCS shall terminate

negotiations with that firm and initiate negotiations with the next best qualified firm. Selection of a firm

shall include the use of good faith efforts by OCS to notify minority firms of the opportunity to submit

qualifications for consideration by OCS. OCS reserves the right to waive technicalities and

informalities and, at its sole discretion, to reject any and all responses to the RFQ.

Construction & Capital Planning, 123 E. Oakdale Dr. Hillsborough NC, 27278

Orange County Schools

Request for Qualifications (RFQ)

Mechanical Engineering Design Services

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMISSION – MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Submittals shall contain all elements outlined in this section. Submittals shall be prepared simply and economically, and shall

provide concise answers to the requested information in the order and format prescribed. Failure to do so may be cause for

disqualification from further consideration. Emphasis will be placed upon clarity and completeness of the submitted

response.

Statement of Qualifications

1. Letter of Interest:

This one page document should be prepared and signed by the representative of the firm

authorized to sign contracts. The letter should allow personal expression as to:

a. why your firm is best suited to perform mechanical engineering services for OCS.

b. what specific qualities/attributes your firm offers to ensure superior performance.

c. other information you feel best presents your firm’s expertise.

2. Submittal Content:

The submittal should include the following information as a minimum, organized as outlined

below:

a. Firm’s legal name.

b. Firm’s address, phone number, email address, website URL.

c. Firm’s professional license number.

d. Contact information for communication in follow up to this submittal.

e. Brief history of the business including:

i. Years of service under present business name

ii. Prior business names under which like services were offered (if any)

iii. Business location (office from which work will be performed)

iv. Jurisdictions your organization is legally qualified to offer and practice professional

structural engineering services

v. Firm’s HUB / MWBE status/type.

f. Project Experience: in a table format, provide a summary listing of all similar projects

completed within the past 5 years. Include the following for each project:

i. Project Name

ii. Facility name and location

iii. Size

iv. Scope

v. Cost at bid

vi. Completed construction cost

vii. Current owner contact information

viii. Year completed

ix. Written references from project owner

x. MBE Participation (see Attachment A).

g. Client references: provide (5) references for recent work of similar size and complexity.

Include current contact information for each (can be incorporated with item above).

h. Staff resumes: identify key personnel within your firm who will likely be assigned to our

projects. Include Principal, Project Engineer, Project Manager, field staff, and construction

administrators.

i. Litigation: identify any work that resulted in litigation and briefly summarize outcomes.

Include judgments, claims, arbitration, mediation, or lawsuits pending or outstanding within

the past five years (your organization as either as plaintiff or defendant).

j. Disclose any history or condition that would put the firm in a conflict of interest for the

design and construction portions of the work.

Page 2 of 7

Orange County Schools

Request for Qualifications (RFQ)

Mechanical Engineering Design Services

k. Project Completions: list any projects your organization has failed to complete any part of

its contractual obligation for professional services.

l. Submit a declaration under penalty of perjury by an authorized corporate officer or

principal, stating that reasonable diligence has been used in preparation of the Statement

of Qualifications submitted in response to the RFQ and that all information provided is true,

correct and complete.

3. Supplemental Information:

It is unnecessary to provide supplemental information on the first submittal. However, if the

respondent so chooses, additional information may be provided in the form of project profiles, firm

brochures, or similar material. Please keep to a minimum.

4. Additional Requirements:

a. Interested firms should familiarize themselves with OCS Board Policies. These policies can

be viewed on the OCS website at https://www.orangecountyfirst.com/our-district-main/

board-new

b. Any firm responding to this RFQ, along with any sub-consultants, must hold a current license

in good standing with the appropriate North Carolina governing agency for each discipline.

c. The selected firm will be required to provide certification, documenting compliance with the

Lunsford Act / Criminal Background Check and requirements as outlined in the G.S. Chapter

14 for personnel who will be on school sites as part of the performance of their work.

d. The selected firm is required to comply with all applicable laws when providing services for

OCS, including E-Verify and requirements of the Affordable Care Act.

e. The selected firm will be required to provide certification documenting compliance with the

Iran Divestment Act pursuant to G.S. 147 Article 6E by documenting they are not listed on

the Final Divestment List created by the North Carolina State Treasurer.

f. OCS requires the following minimum insurance for these projects:

Insurance Description

Minimum Required Coverage

Workers’ Compensation

Statutory

Public Liability

Bodily Injury: Each Person

Bodily Injury: Each Accident

Property Damage: Each Accident

Combined Limit

$ 1,000,000.00

Automobile Liability & Property Damage

Bodily Injury: Each Person

Bodily Injury: Each Accident

Property Damage: Each Accident

Combined Limit

$ 1,000,000.00

Professional Liability

$ 1,000,000.00

Page 3 of 7

Orange County Schools

Request for Qualifications (RFQ)

Mechanical Engineering Design Services

Submittal Questions

1. Firms shall submit any questions by 1:00 pm on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

2. Questions will include a reference to the applicable RFQ section and page number.

3. Questions received prior to the submission deadline date, Orange County School’s response, and

any additional terms deemed necessary by OCS will be posted in the form of an addendum by

2:00 pm on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.

4. No information, instruction, or advice provided orally or informally by any OCS personnel, whether

made in response to a question or otherwise regarding this RFQ, shall be considered authoritative

or binding. Firms shall be entitled to rely only on written material contained in an addendum to this

RFQ.

5. Address any questions via email to:

a. Email subject line: Stanback HVAC RFQ

Melanie Gartrell, Director of Construction & Capital Planning

Melanie.gartrell@orange.k12.nc.us

Selection and Award Process

A selection committee will evaluate statements of qualification. The committee may include

administrators, school staff, Board of Education, and community members. A short list of firms

deemed to be the most highly qualified for the proposed project(s) will be identified by the selection

committee. Shortlisted firms may be invited to participate in an oral presentation and interview to

determine which team is the best qualified to work with the district and community in completing the

project(s). The district may request additional information from firms on the short list prior to

interviews. If deemed beneficial some members of the selection committee may visit completed

projects prior to the final selection recommendation and approval.

The recommendation of the selection committee will be subject to a successful contract negotiation

and approval by the Board of Education. If an agreement cannot be reached, the district reserves the

right to negotiate with other qualified firms.

Selection Criteria

Finalists for contract consideration by the district will be selected based on qualifications and

demonstrated competence as evidenced by the information presented in the qualifications submittal.

Evaluation of qualifications may include, but not limited to the following:

1. The Proposer’s understanding of the educational environment related to the project and

qualifications to complete the services required.

2. The Proposer’s previous experience, qualifications and competence on educational facility

projects of similar size and scope.

3. Past performance on similar projects, and as indicated from reference contracts.

4. Experience and qualifications of personnel assigned to the project.

5. Methodology used to achieve technical, management and project control.

6. Ability to communicate with the selection committee both in written format and verbally.

Page 4 of 7

Orange County Schools

Request for Qualifications (RFQ)

Mechanical Engineering Design Services

Schedule and Deadlines

1. A PDF of the submittal should be emailed to Melanie Gartrell at

melanie.gartrell@orange.k12.nc.us by the deadline below.

2. The submittal should have the following on the cover page:

Statement of Qualifications

RFQ#OCS 26-05-06_Mechanical

Engineering Design Services

Melanie Gartrell

Orange County Schools

Construction and Capital Planning

123 E. Oakdale Dr.

Hillsborough, North Carolina, 27278

3. The following schedule is anticipated to select firms for these projects:

RFQ Issued/Advertised:

RFQ Questions Due:

RFQ Questions Answered:

RFQ Package Due:

Selection for Services:

May 6, 2026

May 20, 2026

May 27, 2026

June 3, 2026 at 2:00pm

Expected by June 17, 2026

Contact Policy

Until a contract resulting from this RFQ process is executed, no employee, agent or representative of

any professional services provider shall make available or discuss its proposal with the media in

any form, electronic or printed, or with any elected or appointed official or officer of OCS, or any

employee, agent or other representative of the OCS unless required by law.

Page 5 of 7

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

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RFQ for Mechanical Engineering Design Services

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