Building 63 Envelope and HVAC Renovation, Coral Gables

The USDA's Subtropical Horticulture Research Station in Coral Gables, Florida, is undergoing a renovation of Building 63 to address critical infrastructure issues, particularly related to the HVAC system and building envelope. The existing ductwork is accumulating condensation, leading to water damage and elevated lab humidity levels that exceed the acceptable 70% threshold. The current HVAC setup includes a single air-cooled chiller, associated pumps, and two variable air volume air handling units, which have been diagnosed as inadequate for maintaining proper environmental control. Engineering firm Clark Nexsen conducted retro-commissioning and testing, including air balancing services, and has proposed comprehensive solutions to resolve the condensation problem through targeted upgrades to the roof, HVAC system, building automation system, and chiller unit to ensure stable, controlled conditions for sensitive research activities. This project is solicited under contract number 12639526Q0232, posted on July 20, 2026, with responses due by August 19, 2026. It is classified as a combined solicitation and set aside exclusively for small businesses under SBA guidelines, with a NAICS code of 238220 for building equipment contractors. The contracting office is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, but the work must be performed entirely at the Coral Gables facility. Jim Roloff from the USDA serves as the primary point of contact, and all relevant documents are accessible via the provided SAM.gov link for interested small businesses to review before submitting proposals.