Somers HVAC Project - Commissioning Services RFP

Request for Qualifications/Proposals
for
Commissioning Agent Services
for the
Somers Elementary School
HVAC Project
RFQ/P Issue Date: April 10, 2026
Sealed Proposals are due no later than May 12, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.
1. INTRODUCTION
The Town of Somers, Connecticut ("Town") on behalf of Somers Public Schools ("SPS") invite qualified
firms to submit Qualifications and Proposals for Commissioning Agent Services associated with the Somers
Elementary School HVAC Project located at 4 Vision Boulevard, Somers, Connecticut (the "Project"). The
School Building Committee ("SBC") appointed by the Board of Selectmen will be overseeing the Project.
The work shall be performed in cooperation with the Town, SPS, SBC, the Town's design consultant
(Consulting Engineering Services, Inc., "CES"), the Town's construction manager, (Gilbane Building
Company), and the Town's construction administrator (STV).
This solicitation is both a Request for Qualifications ("RFQ") and a Request for Proposals ("RFP") for
Commissioning Agent ("CxA") Services for new HVAC equipment to be installed as part of the Somers
Elementary School HVAC Project. This RFQ/P has been publicly advertised on both the Town of Somers
and DAS State Contracting Portal. Proposers are required to respond to both the RFQ and RFP separately
in accordance with the requirements set forth below.
Interested parties should submit Qualifications and a Proposal in accordance with the requirements and
directions contained in this RFQ/P. Proposers are prohibited from contacting any Town employee, officer or
official concerning this RFQ/P, except for submission of questions regarding this RFQ/P per the process
described below. A Proposer's failure to comply with this requirement may result in disqualification.
If there are any conflicts between the provisions of these Standard Instructions to Proposers and any other
documents comprising this RFQ/P, these Standard Instructions shall prevail. A total of three (3) original
paper copies and one digital copy (thumb drive) each of the RFQ and RFP responses must be received at
the following location on or before 2:00 p.m. on May 12, 2026 in accordance with the process identified in
Sections 5 - 7.
Responses shall be submitted to:

Brian Wissinger
Chief Financial Officer
Town of Somers
600 Main Street
Somers, CT 06071
Questions regarding this RFQ/P shall be directed to the Owner's Representative, Marnie Liska with STV via
email at marnie.liska@stvinc.com.
Questions must be submitted no later than May 1, 2026 by 2:00 p.m. If warranted, an addendum will be
posted no later than May 8, 2026, by 2:00 p.m.
Any addenda issued will be posted on both the Town and DAS web sites. All firms are responsible for
checking the websites to verify if any addenda have been issued.
2. PROJECT BACKGROUND
2.1 Basic Project Description
The Project includes HVAC upgrades to the existing Somers Elementary School (84,000 SF project area).
The Work includes the removal of existing HVAC equipment and controls and installation of new HVAC
equipment and control systems as indicated on the plans and in the Specifications (refer to Attachments 'F'
and 'G').
2.2 Project Budget
The appropriation for funding for the complete HVAC Project at Somers Elementary School has been
secured in the amount of $15,000,000. This funding amount is based on an estimate provided by Gilbane
Building Company. The Town and BOE have applied for state funding and to the extent provided, state
funds will be used for this Project.
2.3 Project Schedule
The Somers Elementary School HVAC Project is anticipated to occur when the school is not occupied, over
two summers, during academic breaks when permissible, and on second shift. Construction is anticipated to
take twelve (12) months and start in the summer of 2026. An award for Commissioning Agent Services is
anticipated to occur in late May 2026.
3. SCOPE OF SERVICES
3.1 Professional Services
The Commissioning Agent Services must be provided with the highest level of professional skill, care, and
judgment and in compliance with all federal, state, and local requirements. Because the Project may be
funded by the State of Connecticut, the selected Commissioning Agent is required to meet any and/or all
requirements and conditions imposed by the state regarding these Services.
The Scope of Services ("Services") for the Project is described in 'Attachment A.'
4. RFQ/P TIMELINE
The timeline associated with this RFQ/P is as follows:
Request for Proposals Issued: April 10, 2026
Questions Due Date: May 1, 2026 by 2:00 pm
Addenda Issued (if required): May 8, 2026

RFP Due Date: May 12, 2026 by 2:00 pm
Estimated Award Date: Late May, 2026
5. RFQ/P PROCESS
5.1 Responses to the RFQ/P
Proposers are required to respond to both the RFQ and RFP, however the responses should be submitted
in separate sealed envelopes clearly marked with the name of the Proposer and the words "Response to
RFQ for Commissioning Agent Services for Somers Elementary School", or "Response to RFP for
Commissioning Agent Services for Somers Elementary School" as applicable.
The response to the RFQ must not contain any information pertaining to the fees or costs for the Project.
Responses that are not submitted in this manner will be rejected.
Responses must be received no later than the submission deadline set forth above and delivered to Brian
Wissinger, Chief Financial Officer, Town of Somers, 600 Main Street, Somers, CT 06071.
Responses must be delivered by U.S. or private carrier mail or hand delivered. Facsimile (FAX) or emailed
Proposals will not be accepted under any circumstances.
5.2 Evaluation and Selection
Evaluation of responses to the RFQ/P and any resulting contract award will be at the discretion of the SBC.
The SBC may reject any or all Proposals for any reason as the SBC deems appropriate.
The evaluation and selection process will take place in two stages.
First, the SBC will review all responses to the RFQ and, based on those responses and the Qualification
Criteria described below, the SBC will identify all Proposers which are determined by the SBC to be
responsible qualified Proposers (the "Qualified Proposers").
Second, the SBC will open and review the responses to the RFP submitted by the Qualified Proposers.
Responses to the RFP submitted by Proposers who are not Qualified Proposers will be returned unopened.
The SBC will evaluate the RFP responses submitted by the Qualified Proposers and determine the four (4)
most responsible and Qualified Proposers using the Qualification and Proposal criteria set forth below in
Sections 6 and 7, respectively, giving due consideration of the qualified Proposer's pricing for the services
as well as the qualified Proposer's (i.) experience with work of similar size and scope as required for the
Project, (ii.) organizational and team structure for the Project, (iii.) past performance data, including, but not
limited to, adherence to Project schedules, (iv.) the approach to the work required for the Project, and (v.)
documented contract oversight capabilities. The Contract will be awarded to one of the four (4) most
responsible and Qualified Proposers after consideration of all the foregoing.
In its review of responses to this RFQ/P and in making any subsequent contract award, the SBC shall
exercise its discretion to select the Proposer that, in its judgment, best serves the interests of the Project,
the SBC, SPS and the Town. The SBC reserves the right to negotiate with one or more of the four (4)
Qualified Proposers and to consider revisions to the proposed Scope of Work, services, or fees, provided
that any such negotiations or revisions are determined to be in the Town's best interest and do not
contravene applicable state statutes.
If the SBC determines that interviews are warranted, it may interview some or all of the Qualified Proposers.
The SBC will identify the SBC member(s) conducting the interviews and specify the deadline for the
Qualified Proposer to submit an affidavit disclosing any relationship with the interviewer(s) or confirming that
no relationship exists. Interviewer names are provided solely for preparation of the affidavit, and neither the
Qualified Proposer nor its representatives may contact the interviewer(s) before or after the interview

process.
The submission of responses to this RFQ/P constitute a declaration by the submitting Proposer that no
person or persons other than members of Proposer's own organization are interested in the Project or in the
Contract proposed to be awarded; that the submission is made without any connection with any other
person or persons making a Proposal for the same services, and is in all respects fair and without collusion
or fraud; that no persons acting for or employed by SPS or the Town is directly or indirectly interested
therein, or in the supplies or works to which it relates or will receive any part of the profit or any commission
therefrom in any manner which is unethical or contrary to the best interests of the Town.
5.3 Evaluation Criteria
Firms meeting the desired Qualifications set forth above and complying with the requirements of this RFQ/P
will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
CRITERIA POINTS
Relevant Project Experience 30
Project Team Qualifications 30
Project Approach 25
Fee Proposal 15
Total Possible Points 100
5.4 Form of Contract
The Town intends to use, and the Contract Awardee will be expected to execute, a contract that is in a form
acceptable to the Town.
5.5 Town's Right to Withdraw/Reject
The Town reserves the right to amend or terminate this RFQ/P, accept all or any part of a response, reject
all responses, waive any informalities or non-material deficiencies in a response and award the Contract to
the Proposer that, in the SBC's judgment will be in the best interests of the Project, SPS, the SBC and the
Town.
6. REQUESTS FOR QUALIFICATIONS
6.1 Qualification Criteria
The SBC will identify those Proposers that the SBC deems to be Qualified Proposers based on the criteria
below (the "Qualification Criteria").
* The Proposer is a legal entity properly licensed or registered under the laws of the State of
Connecticut to perform the services that are the subject of this solicitation and is otherwise
authorized to do business in the State of Connecticut.
* The Proposer has adequate experience in providing the Services in general and has adequate
experience performing the required Services within the past five years including on projects that
conform to the Connecticut High Performance Building Standards.
* The Proposer has acted as the principal Commissioning Agent for at least three projects of
comparable size, type and scope.
* The Proposer has extensive experience in the operation and troubleshooting of HVAC and energy
management control systems and can demonstrate an adequate level of performance on past
projects, including without limitation, adherence to project schedules and to the satisfaction of past

clients.
* The Proposer has adequate experience dealing with the Connecticut Department of Administrative
Services (DAS) and Department of Education (DOE) reimbursement process and with the
preparation of the related documentation that may be required to secure state reimbursement.
* The Proposer has extensive field experience, with a minimum of five full years in this type of work.
* The Proposer is knowledgeable in building operation and maintenance ("O&M") and O&M training.
* The Proposer is knowledgeable in all applicable state and national building and fire codes.
* The Proposer is knowledgeable in all applicable health and safety laws, regulations, codes and
ordinances pertaining to the work being performed.
* The Proposer is knowledgeable in the testing and balancing of both air and water systems.
* The Proposer has experience in energy-efficient systems and control strategy optimization.
* The Proposer has direct experience in monitoring and analyzing system operations using energy
management control system trending and stand-alone data logging equipment.
* The Proposer has excellent verbal and written communication skills and is highly organized and able
to work with both management and trade contractors.
* The Proposer has experience in writing commissioning specifications.
* It is preferred that the Proposer have a project manager or project engineer assigned to this Project
who has a bachelor's degree in mechanical or electrical engineering and a P.E. license. However,
other technical training and past commissioning and field experience will be considered as an
acceptable substitute.
* It is preferred that the Proposer has membership and certification as a Certified Commissioning
Professional with the Building Commissioning Association, but it is not required.
* The Proposer's staff to be assigned to the Project ("Project Team") have satisfactory qualifications
and experience on past projects of similar size and scope and can demonstrate satisfactory
performance on past projects to the satisfaction of the SBC.
* The Proposer has an adequate degree of contract oversight capability and the organizational team
to satisfactorily complete the project.
* The quantity, context, and, where applicable, outcomes of past claims, disputes, arbitration, and
litigation proceedings involving the Proposer are acceptable to the SBC.
* The Proposer's approach to the Project and the Proposer's demonstrated ability to provide the
required Services according to the standards of quality described in the project specifications.
* The Proposer's ability to provide the required Services in a timely manner according to the
construction schedule dates indicated in this RFQ/P.
The required expertise for this Project will be based on the skill and experience set of the full team making
the Proposal. One member of the prime firm will act as the Project Manager and will coordinate the
commissioning activities from a technical perspective. The Project Manager must have significant in-
building commissioning experience, including technical and management expertise on projects of similar

scope.
6.2 Submission Requirements
Each Proposer will be evaluated using the above Qualification Criteria. To assist and expedite this
evaluation, each Proposer must provide the following information in the order listed below:
6.3 Executive Summary
Please provide a narrative history of your firm and its relevant commissioning experience, including why
your firm is best suited to provide the Services described in this RFQ/P. In the Executive Summary, provide
a brief general description of Proposer's business, the number of years in business, the number of
personnel employed, and whether the Proposer is a subsidiary of another entity, providing the name of that
other entity if applicable.
6.4 Relevant Project Experience
Describe a minimum of three (3) commissioning projects of similar type, size, and scope to this Project.
Include project name; location; year of completion, a brief description; and the total square footage of the
building as well as a list of systems commissioned and the name and contact information of a client
reference.
6.5 Proposed Project Team
Provide an organizational chart and resumes for all key personnel. For each of the key personnel provide a
resume that demonstrates the following information:
* Relevant background, credentials, and experience with specific projects of comparable nature and
scope.
* Clearly defined roles and responsibilities as well as estimated time commitment to this Project.
6.6 Project Approach
Include your project understanding, approach and methodology, and key elements and factors which
differentiate your firm from your competition.
6.7 Claims and Disputes
Indicate whether any claims, disputes, arbitration, or litigation proceedings have occurred on any of your
projects within the last five years. If so, identify the opposing parties and give the status of each.
6.8 Safety
Indicate whether you have been cited by any governmental authority in the last (5) years for violating any
federal, state and/or local law, regulation, code or ordinance relating to safety including (but not limited to)
the Occupational Safety and Health Act and/or regulations promulgated thereunder. If so, describe each
such citation, including the date, location, conduct cited and ultimate disposition.
7. REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS
7.1 Proposal Evaluation Criteria
The RFP Evaluation Criteria includes the following:
* A fully completed Attachment B - Fee Proposal Form
* A fully completed Attachment C - Hourly Rates Proposal Form

* A fully completed Attachment D - Acknowledgement of Addenda
* A sample insurance certificate demonstrating the Proposer's ability to obtain the minimum insurance
requirements described in Attachment E - Insurance Requirements.
7.2 Content of Response to RFP
Please provide the following information in the order listed below:
* A fully completed Attachment B - Fee Proposal Form
* A fully completed Attachment C - Hourly Rates Proposal Form
* A fully completed Attachment D - Acknowledgement of Addenda
* A sample insurance certificate demonstrating the Proposer's ability to obtain the minimum insurance
requirements described in Attachment E - Insurance Requirements.
8. RIGHT OF REJECTION AND CLARIFICATION
The Town reserves the right to reject any and/or all Proposals and/or to request clarification of information
contained in any Proposal. The Town is not required to accept the lowest fee Proposal nor is it required to
enter into an agreement based on any Proposal submitted in response to this document.
9. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
Prior to the execution of a contract for the Project, the successful Proposer shall provide a Certificate of
Insurance (Accord or other approved format) evidencing insurance coverage that complies with the
requirements set forth in Attachment E - Insurance Requirements.
10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The SBC, SPS and the Town prohibit harassment and discrimination on the basis of race, color, religious
creed, age, marital or veteran status, national origin, sex, ancestry, sexual orientation, or past or present
physical or mental disability in accordance with titles VI, VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1064, Title IX of the
Education Amendments Act of 1973, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1991 and applicable state laws.
The SBC will be governed by the applicable Connecticut General Statutes governing state assistance.
The SBC reserves the sole and absolute right to reject the Proposal of any Proposer offering Services
which, in its opinion, does not meet the standard or quality established by this RFQ/P.
Proposals that are conditional or qualified shall be rejected. If it becomes necessary to revise any part
of this RFQ/P or if additional data is necessary to enable interpretation by purposes of provisions of this
RFQ/P, revisions or addenda will be posted on the Town's website and the DAS State Contracting Portal.
11. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
The Commissioning Agent shall be and operate as an independent contractor in the performance of the
Commissioning Services with sole and exclusive control over and responsibility for the means and methods
of its performance and the safe performance of the work . The Commissioning Agent shall have complete
charge of the personnel proposed as part of its team, and all persons employed by the Commissioning
Agent shall be employees of said Commissioning Agent and not employees of SPS or the Town in any
respect.
12. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS
The Commissioning Agent shall comply with all applicable laws, regulations, codes and ordinances
including any federal, state, or political subdivision thereof, including but not limited to, unemployment and

workers' compensation, occupational health and safety, equal employment, affirmative action and wage and
price laws insofar as applicable to the performance of the contract.
13. SUBCONTRACTORS
The selected Commissioning Agent shall not subcontract any of its work or services to be performed by
others without the express prior written consent of SPS.
14. NONDISCLOSURE
The selected Commissioning Agent agrees that it will not divulge to third parties, without the written consent
of SPS, any information obtained from or through the SBS, SBC, Town, Architect, or others in connection
with the Project, except to the extent necessary to carry out the requirements of this RFQ/P.
15. ATTACHMENTS
* Attachment A: Scope of Services, including Section 01 91 13 General Commissioning
Requirements (attached to this RFQ/RFP).
* Attachment B: Fee Proposal Form
* Attachment C - Hourly Rates Proposal Form
* Attachment D - Acknowledgement of Addenda
* Attachment E - Insurance Requirements
* Attachment F - DRA Bid Set Specifications Volume 1 of 1 dated December 19, 2025
* Attachment G - CES Drawing Set "Somers Elementary School HVAC Replacement" dated December 19,
2025
*The full set of drawings and specifications can be accessed via the following link
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/eyzrfm4pcdsdldw53n320/AG8ETMLSjziyvFYQGZB7QmY?rlkey=kukewp2v
ctwwfr1i8cuuwmpeq&e=2&st=lfbi622e&dl=0
or by contacting Marnie Liska, Senior Project Manager at STV via email at marnie.liska@stvinc.com.

Attachment A - Scope of Services
The Commissioning Agent shall provide professional Commissioning Agent Services for the
construction, building turnover and deferred functional testing phases as described in the following
Specification Section as prepared by Drummey Rosane Anderson, Inc. (DRA, Inc.) dated
December 19, 2025:
SECTION 01 91 13 GENERAL COMMISSIONING REQUIREMENTS (attached to this RFQ/P).
Additional requirements to be included in the Commissioning Agent's Scope of Services may be
described or referenced in the following additional Specification Sections:
SECTION 01 81 13 HIGH PERFORMANCE BUILDINGS COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS
SECTION 01 31 13 PROJECT COORDINATION
SECTION 01 33 00 SUBMITTAL PROCEDURES
SECTION 01 35 46 INDOOR AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT
SECTION 23 04 00 GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR MECHANICAL TRADES
SECTION 23 05 93 TESTING, ADJUSTING, AND BALANCING FOR HVAC
SECTION 23 09 00 INSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROLS FOR HVAC
SECTION 23 09 93 SEQUENCE OF OPERATIONS FOR HVAC CONTROLS
SECTION 23 34 00 HVAC FANS
SECTION 23 81 43 AIR-SOURCE UNITARY HEAT PUMPS
SECTION 23 82 00 CONVECTION HEATING AND COOLING UNITS
The Proposer is responsible for fully reviewing all construction drawings and specifications and
ensuring that their bid Proposal reflects all Commissioning Agent Services required. A link to the
full drawings and specifications can be obtained by contacting Marnie Liska, Senior Project
Manager, STV at marnie.liska@stvinc.com.
This project has been designed and will be commissioned in accordance with the requirements of
the High Performance Building Construction Standards (CT HPBS) for State Funded Buildings as
outlined in RCSA Section 16a-38k-1 through 16a-38k-9 and further defined by the Connecticut
Building Standard Guidelines Compliance Manual for High Performance Buildings dated
September 2011 as well as the Capitol Projects High Performance Building Guidelines. The
Commissioning Agent will coordinate with the Architect, Owner and Contractor throughout the
construction and building turnover processes.

Attachment B - Fee Proposal Form
Fees quoted below are fully loaded and are to be inclusive of all incidental costs including overhead,
profit, taxes, insurance, travel/mileage, administrative services including copies/reproduction of
drawings, specifications, submittals, or other manufacturer's data. For bidding purposes, Proposers are
to assume that individual site visits cannot be combined and that the total minimum amount of site visits
indicated will be required. Once construction has commenced, the successful Awardee may be allowed
to combine site visits providing there is no adverse impact on the Contractor or construction schedule.
REQUIREMENT # of MINIMUM # TOTAL TOTAL FEE
REMOTE OF SITE HOURS
MEETINGS VISITS
Preconstruction Phase
Review design documents and create list of
questions/clarifications to Design Team $
Develop Cx Plan in relation to overall project
schedule $
Lead Cx Kickoff meeting with Design Team and
Contractor 1 $
Develop, distribute, and review pre-functional
checklists $
Develop, distribute, and review Functional
Performance Test procedures and sheets $
Other requirements not listed above (fill in below)
$
$
Construction Phase
Review Contractor submittals, RFI's, drawing
updates, meeting minutes, etc. $
Coordinate, lead and document Controls Integration
Meeting 1 $
Coordinate, lead and document Commissioning
Coordination Meeting 1 $
Develop, maintain, and distribute Cx Issues Log $
Utilize web-based Commissioning portal to track
issues and assign responsibility for corrective action $
Conduct Pre-testing Meeting 1 $
Witness, verify and document initial HVAC piping
pressure test & flushing 4 $
Witness, verify and document initial ductwork
pressure testing & cleaning 2 $
Witness, verify and document AHU-1, AHU-2 and
RTU-3 Start up 3 $
Witness, verify and document split system a/c
equipment start up 2 $
Witness, verify and document HP/VRF equipment
start up 5 $
REQUIREMENT # of MINIMUM # TOTAL TOTAL FEE