Request for Design/Build Proposal
for
Rooftop PV Solar System Installation
Centennial Hall
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
A. Bid Information
OVERVIEW
The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS) is seeking a Design/Build firm (hereinafter
referred to as the Contractor) to install a 25kW photovoltaic system on the roof of Centennial Hall, 1420
Austin Bluffs Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO 80918.
A rebate is expected from Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) with primary funding provided by a student
fee.
The university has identified the roof location on Centennial Hall and the points of electrical connection.
GOALS
The installation must be compatible and in conformance with the CSU rebate program for 25kW or
smaller systems. The project must be under contract with the selected Contractor by August 10, 2010.
STATEMENT OF WORK
Selected Contractor must have demonstrated experience with designing and installing solar PV systems
on flat roofs in high wind zones. Provide evidence of experience installing solar systems that meet the
following specifications:
Description of the Work: The following sections include a general description of the work, but are not
limited to this description.
Mechanical Equipment and Installation
a. Furnish and install all mounting equipment for deploying modules on the roof. The system shall
be non-penetrating. The Contractor is to coordinate with the Owner ensuring that the system is
placed on the roof in accordance with the limitations presented.
b. Furnish and install all solar modules, inverters and other conditioning equipment and other
required materials in order to have a complete and whole system.
c. Raise all necessary materials to be mounted on the roof.
d. Inspect and survey the structural materials and solar panels for manufacturing flaws and defects
before installing.
e. Inspect and survey the structure.
f. Clean the work area at the job site upon completion.
Electrical Equipment and Installation
a. Include all necessary equipment installation and wiring for a complete and whole system.
b. Furnish and install transition boxes at the end of each source circuit to transition from exterior
wire on panels to conduit.
c. Furnish and install equipment necessary for proper grounding.
d. Field wire the solar panels, arrays, etc. and install to single source through the roof.
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University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
e. Mount power conditioning equipment which includes all inverters, meters, transformers as
required for a complete and whole system.
f. Furnish and install lightning protectors by connecting to the existing system without voiding
existing system warranty and UL listing.
Start up and System Testing
a. Start-up and test the system subsequent to demonstration to Owner.
b. Provide demonstration of system operation to Owner.
c. Provide training to UCCS staff.
System size: 25 kW
Racking System: self ballasted, no roof penetrations, engineered for 110 mph wind zone.
Any installation such as, but not limited to, roof penetrations as well as roof loading must be preapproved by the university and MOST NOT VOID any existing warranties of ANY system.
Must secure ballast to racking system to prevent removal of PV system components.
The Contractor will be responsible for providing load calculations developed by a professional licensed
structural engineer for the proposed solar PV system. The structural engineer is responsible for wet
stamping the construction drawings and stating all design conditions.
Monitoring: The system shall be monitored by the university’s building automation system (Setpoint
Delta system) and be capable of providing on-line access to electrical production. Graphical displays will
be provided on a touch screen “kiosk” showing real-time production, cumulative production by day,
month and year and peak production for the month and year. Data to be archived by the Setpoint Delta
system Historian.
Efficiency: The minimum module (panel) efficiency shall be 15%.
Electrical: State the design DC to AC de-rate factor as well as panel tilt.
Location: The solar PV system will be mounted on the section of roof located over the Gallery of
Contemporary Art. The inverter(s) will be located in the storage room at the back of the gallery. The
two-way meter will be located immediately west of the gallery next to the existing meter and
transformer. Power will be fed to electrical panel. There are two options for connection to the building.
The base bid should be for the primary connection to Panel MH1 and an alternate bid should be
provided for connection to Panel H1D. See Exhibit A for schematic layout. All conduit and conductors
shall be sized per the latest State of Colorado approved National Electric Code (NEC). The routing of all
exposed conduit must be approved by UCCS.
Code Requirements: The design shall be to the current codes listed with the State Architect’s Office.
The Owner will hire a 3rd party code reviewer who will review and approve the design for code
compliance and will inspect the construction for code compliance for the IBC, IMC and IECC. The State
Electrical Inspector will inspect the electrical systems.
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University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
In addition the following shall also apply: NEC 690-Solar Photovoltaic Systems, UL 1703-Flat-Plate PV
Modules and Panels, UL 1741-Standard for Static Inverters and Charge Controllers for Use in
Photovoltaic Power systems.
Contract: The contract to be used will be the Design/Build Agreement with General Conditions of the
Construction Contract Design/Build.
MINIMUM MANDATORY CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience: 5+ years solar PV system design and installation
Local: Design and installation of solar PV system within the State of Colorado
Rebate Experience: Complete familiarity with CSU rebate program and coordination of all
administrative requirements to obtain the rebate, which the Contractor will be required to provide.
References: List at least five (5) projects of similar size (or larger) with address, name and contact
information including phone number and email address.
PRICING
Pricing shall include the complete costs for design and installation of the proposed solar PV system and
shall be valid for 45 days.
Pricing shall be based on the final contract consisting of the Design/Build Agreement, supporting
General Conditions and other referenced documents in the Design/Build Agreement. Read these
documents carefully before submitting a bid.
Pricing shall include costs for a Performance Bond (SC-6.22) and a Labor and Material Bond (SC-6.221).
Pricing shall include as-built drawings, operations and maintenance manuals (two sets) and UCCS staff
training.
The university is not subject to federal, state and city taxes. The contractor will not be required to
directly pay federal and state taxes. However the City will collect the City sales/use tax. The Contractor
will be required to collect all invoices showing City sales/use tax and list on the City ST-16 (QE) form and
provide the form with invoices to the Owner.
Pricing shall include a minimum system warranty of two (2) years and minimum panel warranty of
twenty-five (25) years.
B. Bid Submittal Information
Contact Information: Technical – Gary Reynolds,
1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Ph: (719) 255-3505
Email: greynold@UCCS.EDU
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University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Administrative – Rhea Taylor, 1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO
80918
Ph: (719) 255-3505
Email: rtaylor@UCCS.EDU
Important Dates:
Mandatory Pre-bid Meeting – July 22, 2010, 3:00 pm; Campus Services Building Conference Room
Questions Due – July 28, 2010 by 4:00 pm, (By email only to Rhea Taylor)
Answers Provided By –July 30, 2010 by 4:00 pm (posted to web site www.uccs.edu/facsrvs)
BIDS DUE – TIME; DATE
Bid Conformance: Bids shall be provided based on the Information for Bidders form (SBP-6.12) and on
Bid form (SBP-6.13). A bid bond shall be provided using Bid Bond form (SBP-6.14).
Bid Submittal: A single copy of the sealed bid, to include cover page(s) describing the firm’s
qualifications, will be accepted until the date and time indicated, and at that time publically opened.
The university reserves the right to accept or reject all or part of a bid. Illegible bids or writing shall be
deemed non-responsive and will not be evaluated. A bid with missing or inconsistent information may
be considered non-responsive and may not be evaluated. The university shall be the sole judge in
determining the acceptability of the offer. The university also reserves the right to reject any or all bids
in part or in whole and to waive technicalities. Any decision shall be considered final.
Signature: An authorized representative of the Contractor must sign the bid.
C. Contract Award
Award: The contract will be awarded to the responsive and responsible bidder whose bid meets the
requirements and criteria set forth herein. UCCS will make a final determination to which electric panel
the connection will be made and the lowest bid will be considered for that panel connection.