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Cameron County releases RFQ seeking firms for up to $1.9 million in energy-efficiency upgrades
Summary
The Cameron County Commissioners approved release of a request for qualifications for a Guaranteed Energy Savings Act project to evaluate potential energy improvements to the courthouse and emergency management office; staff estimated the capital improvement scope at roughly $1.9 million and said the RFQ does not commit the county to costs or a contract.
Cameron County commissioners voted to release a request for qualifications (RFQ) to identify firms that can evaluate and implement energy- and building-efficiency improvements across county facilities.
Staff told the board the RFQ is limited to reviewing qualifications at this stage and “does not commit the county to a project, to cost, to a financing plan, or to the final contract.” The county’s capital improvement plan lists lighting upgrades, HVAC controls optimization, programmable thermostats, window and roof work, generator upgrades, retrocommissioning, high-efficiency transformers, water-conservation measures and solar photovoltaic systems. Staff estimated the total package at roughly $1.9 million, while noting that a single roof quote received previously exceeded $1 million at the federal level and the county’s internal estimate for that roof work is under $800,000.
The initial buildings identified for evaluation are the courthouse and the county emergency management (EMA) office; the recreation center was not included in this RFQ because of ongoing revitalization work there. Staff said responses to the RFQ will help determine whether qualified firms exist to guarantee predicted energy savings under the Guaranteed Energy Savings Act model. If the county later proceeds with a project, additional review, formal legal guidance and public action would be required.
The board approved release of the RFQ by voice vote; a roll-call tally was not recorded. Staff said the RFQ timeline would allow interviews over the summer and, if the board chose to move forward after further review, a contract award could be considered in early September.
Next steps: the RFQ will be revised per solicitor comments and released; evaluation of respondents and interviews are planned through the summer, with any contract decision returned to the commission for formal approval.
