Request for Architectural and Engineering Services - Belleview Middle School - HVAC Upgrades, Project 26-103

MARION COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING SERVICES
The Marion County Public School System (MCPS) is requesting professional services
from qualified firms from the State of Florida pursuant with Section 287.055, Florida
Statutes, the "Consultant's Competitive Negotiations Act" (CCNA), Section 287.057 (24)
Florida Statues, for the following:
ARCHITECTURAL, CIVIL, STRUCTURAL, AND MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL/
PLUMBING ENGINEERING AND OTHER APPROPRIATE CONSULTING SERVICES
POTENTIALLY INCLUDING A DESIGN STUDY, AND ALL PHASES OF DESIGN AND
CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION AND ANY ADDITIONAL OR ASSOCIATED
WORK OR EXTENSIONS OF THE WORK ON THE SITE, AS MAY BE NECESSARY
FOR THE FOLLOWING PROJECT:
PROJECT 26-103 BELLEVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL - HVAC UPGRADES
The proceeding pages are divided into the following sections:
* GENERAL INFORMATION
* INSTRUCTIONS
* PROJECT SCOPE OF WORK
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Marion County Public School District is seeking to replace the current HVAC
system at the above referenced location campus wide with a modern, energy-efficient
chilled water system. The following information is being made publicly available to all
qualified design professionals for informational purposes, so that they may better
understand the requirements necessary to be awarded this project.
* A mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 9:00 AM.
The Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting will be held in the Purchasing Department
Conference Room, 2091 NE 35th Street, Ocala, Florida 34479. Failure of vendor to
attend the mandatory pre-bid meeting will result in ineligibility to participate in this
RFQ.
* The selected design professional will be expected to provide all related design and
contract administration services as well as all necessary consultants required for
design.
~An Equal Opportunity School District~
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* The selected design professional will be expected to sign the District's Standard
Design Professional Service Agreement, which is available on the Facilities
Department Forms page of the Marion County Public Schools website. A direct link
to this page can be found below:
o https://www.marionschools.net/departments/facilities/facilities_forms.
* Contract negotiations will take place after determination of the highest-ranking firm
is finalized and the Board approves the District to proceed. These negotiations will
consist of establishing a set fee for services as well as timelines for construction
document delivery dates.
* The selection process for this RFQ will abide by the 2026 Design Services (RFQ)
Selection Process Manual, which can be found on the Facilities Forms page of the
Marion County Public Schools website. A direct link to this page can be found
below:
o https://www.marionschools.net/departments/facilities/facilities_forms.
* The Marion County Public School District reserves the right to conduct or not
conduct public presentations in accordance with the CCNA Section 287.055, Florida
Statutes. These presentations are not open to the public and will be recorded in
compliance with F.S. 286.0113
* Pursuant to Florida Statute Section 287.057(25), respondents to this solicitation or
persons acting on their behalf may not contact, between the release of the
solicitation and the end of the 72-hour period following the agency posting the
notice of intended award, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays, any
employee or officer of the executive or legislative branch (i.e., Marion County
School District) concerning any aspect of this solicitation, except in writing to the
purchasing specialist (Garrett.Mccallum@marion.k12.fl.us) or as provided in the
solicitation documents. Violation of this provision may be grounds for rejecting
a response.
INSTRUCTIONS
Firms desiring to provide professional services for the above-described project(s) shall
submit a qualifications submittal through the VendorLink portal. This submittal shall
include the following:
* A letter of application
* Proof of licensure and insurance
* Proof of Minority Business status (if applicable)
* Joint Venture documentation (if applicable)
~An Equal Opportunity School District~
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* Professional reference letters for at least 3 school projects where design services
by the firm were provided. There is no specific format these reference letters
need to be.
* A response to all criteria listed in the 2026 Marion County Public Schools Design
Services Request for Qualifications (RFQ) Manual, particularly the criteria listed
under Step 1 on pages 4 - 6
Submittals must not exceed 20 pages, including the items listed above.
All applicants must be licensed to practice their profession in the State of Florida at the
time of application, and the proposal shall include evidence of same. Corporations
must be registered to operate in the State of Florida by the Department of State Division
of Corporations at the time of application.
General Liability and Auto Insurance will be required for each contracted project in the
minimal amount of $1,000,000 for each type of coverage, along with Worker's Comp
Insurance (statutory limits), and will be provided as a part of basic services.
The selection committee reserves the right to reject any and/or all submittals received
pursuant to this request for qualifications as it is determined to be in the best interest of
the Marion County Public School District. All materials submitted shall become the
property of the Marion County Public School District and will not be returned. Costs for
developing submittals in response to this request for qualifications are entirely the
obligation of the applicant(s) and shall not be chargeable in any manner to the Marion
County Public School District.
The Marion County Public School District reserves the right to use any and all
information presented in any response to the request for proposal. Acceptance or
rejection of your proposal does not affect this right.
The required submittal must be received through the VendorLink online portal, no later
than 2:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on February 26, 2026. Late submittals,
regardless of the reason, will not be accepted.
Further information may be obtained at the MCPS website or by contacting the
purchasing specialist in writing via email at Garrett.Mccallum@marion.k12.fl.us. Note
that in accordance with Florida Statutes Section 287.057 (25) and the provisions listed
above in this solicitation, all correspondence must be in writing.
NOTE: The outline for the basic Project Scope of Work is as follows on the succeeding
page:

~An Equal Opportunity School District~
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FACILITIES DEPARTMENT
1105 SW Seventh Road Ocala, FL 34471
OFFICE: 352.671.6902 FAX: 352.671.6906
www.marionschools.net/departments/facilities
FRS 800.955.8770 (voice) 800.955.8771 (TTY)
Facilities Department Design Project Scope
Project: Belleview Middle School
HVAC Upgrades Project #26-103
Summary:
Belleview Middle School is located on a 40-acre campus located at 10500 SE 36th Avenue, Ocala,
FL 34420. The HVAC system consists of water-to-air package heat pumps located above each
classroom on a mezzanine. The units are connected to a closed loop condenser water loop with
a cooling tower and boiler system connected to the loop as well. Water is circulated through a
bank of circulation pumps. The entire system is controlled by an energy management system with
remote controlling capabilities from the district's main computers in the Maintenance Department.
The system has outlived its projected life span and needs replacement as well as expansion due
to the system struggling to sufficiently heat and cool the entire campus.
Marion County Public Schools seeks to replace the current system with a modern, energy-
efficient chilled water system. The design scope includes a full study, design, and contract
administration services. The following items define the project scope:
Proposed new CEP location.
Design
~An Equal Opportunity School District~
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FACILITIES DEPARTMENT
1105 SW Seventh Road Ocala, FL 34471
OFFICE: 352.671.6902 FAX: 352.671.6906
www.marionschools.net/departments/facilities
FRS 800.955.8770 (voice) 800.955.8771 (TTY)
Scope of Work - Design Services
1. Performance Requirements:
* Design the system to handle maximum and minimum Marion County temperatures,
ranging from 17 degreesF to 95 degreesF.
2. HVAC System Replacement:
* Replace the existing HVAC system with a new chilled water system.
* Include a new water-cooled chiller, cooling tower, pumps, air handlers, VAV boxes
with electric heat, and new DDC controls.
3. Central Energy Plant (CEP) and Cooling Tower yard:
* Design and construction of a new Central Energy Plant (CEP) to support the chilled
water system.
* Include construction of a new cooling tower yard, equipment pads, structural
supports, enclosures, access, and associated site improvements.
* Coordinate CEP and cooling tower yard location, utilities, access, noise mitigation,
and maintenance clearances with the owner and applicable codes.
4. Demolition/Removal:
* Remove existing boiler(s), pumps, and cooling tower(s).
5. Piping and Distribution:
* Install new welded Schedule 40 black iron piping with fittings.
* Pre-insulated steel pipe with PVC jackets is preferred; HDPE piping is an alternate.
* Abandon existing underground condenser water piping in place where feasible.
* Exterior piping to be enclosed with a painted 18-gauge galvanized steel shroud.
* Provide a main shut-off valve for each building.
6. Ventilation and Air Quality:
* Incorporate outside makeup air and ventilation to meet building codes and proper air
exchange.
* Install UVC lighting in air handlers to improve indoor air quality.
7. Mezzanine Modifications:
* Modify existing mezzanines as required: close unneeded vents, add insulation, patch
openings, and accommodate new HVAC components.
~An Equal Opportunity School District~
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FACILITIES DEPARTMENT
1105 SW Seventh Road Ocala, FL 34471
OFFICE: 352.671.6902 FAX: 352.671.6906
www.marionschools.net/departments/facilities
FRS 800.955.8770 (voice) 800.955.8771 (TTY)
8. Special Spaces:
* Administration suite to have DX units independent of chilled water to allow operation
when the main campus is off.
* Media center to include a heat pipe for humidity control.
9. Electrical Upgrades:
* Upgrade electrical systems as needed to support new HVAC equipment.
10.Fire Alarm System:
* Upgrade the Fire alarm system as needed to support the new HVAC units and
building addition.
11.Controls System:
* Design a new DDC controls system compatible with the owner's existing Alerton or
Delta system, including remote access capabilities.
12.Construction Modifications:
* Address cosmetic repairs, patching of penetrations, and construction of equipment
access areas.
13.Design Timeline:
* Bid documents - October 2026
* Permit documents - December 2026
14.Construction Timeline:
* This project will be conducted in two construction phases:
(Phase I) January 2027- August 2027
Central Plant, Buildings #1, #5, #6, #7, #8.
(Phase II) June 2028- August 2028
Buildings #2, #3, #4.
15.Construction Budget:
* Phase I - $6Mill. Available in September 2026
* Phase II - $6Mill. Available in September 2027
Design
~An Equal Opportunity School District~
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