Renovation of a museum in Cumberland, Maryland. Completed plans call for the renovation of a one-story above grade museum.

The Allegany Museum is seeking bids from qualified contractors for comprehensive HVAC system renovations at the Allegany County Museum, located at 3 Pershing Street, Cumberland, MD 21502. The scope of the project includes replacement of existing air conditioning systems (window air conditioners) on the second and third floors with a variable refrigerant flow heat pump system. Additional optional alternate bid components include chiller replacement, dehumidifier installation, steam radiator removal, and basement asbestos abatement. Question Deadline 12/01/2025 at 4:00 PM ET Information and questions should be directed to Michael Fetchero, 301.697.2237 mfetchero@gmail.com. Interested applicants should submit a Letter of Intent on or before November 24, 2025 via email to Michael Fetchero, Treasurer, Allegany Museum, mfetchero@gmail.com. Proposals will be evaluated based on the approach to work, methodology, capacity, experience, and cost. The project is funded by federal Community Development Block Grant and Appalachian Regional Commission funds, and is subject to federal labor standards, including Davis-Bacon wage rates, BABA requirements, and Section 3 requirements. Section 3 Business Concerns are encouraged to apply. This project is contingent upon Environmental Review and Approval by the City of Cumberland. The Allegany Museum is soliciting proposals from qualified contractors to complete comprehensive HVAC system renovations at the Allegany Museum, a historic building constructed at 3 Pershing Street, Cumberland, MD 21502. The selected contractor will replace existing window air conditioning units on the second and third floors with a modern variable refrigerant flow (VRF) heat pump system. The project includes two phases as base bid work, plus three alternate bid options for additional improvements including chiller replacement, dehumidifier installation, and steam radiator removal and basement asbestos abatement. All work must comply with manufacturer recommendations, local building codes and standards, and federal/state environmental regulations. The contractor must coordinate with the Maryland Department of Planning Clearinghouse requirements and ensure all work practices conform to applicable regulations. B. Community Development Department Overview The Allegany Museum's mission is to engage the community by preserving and promoting our region's unique cultural heritage and history. The Allegany Museum serves as an important cultural and educational resource for the community, and this HVAC renovation project is critical to preserving this historic building and its collection; and also ensuring it can continue to serve residents and visitors for years to come Building Information & Infrastructure The Allegany County Museum is located at 3 Pershing Street, Cumberland, MD 21502. The building features: o Second Floor: Approximately 8,400 square feet requiring HVAC service o Third Floor: Approximately 9,600 square feet requiring HVAC service, plus mezzanine level o Basement: Contains areas requiring asbestos abatement o First Floor and second floor Ballroom: Currently served by existing chiller system o Roof Access: Available for placement of outdoor heat pump units The building is served by public utilities and has adequate electrical service for the proposed HVAC systems. The roof features a "green roof" planter system that must be protected during installation. All roof penetrations must be coordinated to maintain existing roof warranties. Architectural and mechanical conceptual drawings are included in this RFP package showing existing conditions and proposed equipment locations. The successful contractor will prepare final HVAC drawings and as-builts. A. Base Bid Phase 1: Second Floor HVAC (~ 8,400 SF) The selected contractor shall complete the following work on the second floor: - Remove and properly dispose of (13) existing "window unit" air conditioners. Recover and recycle refrigerant charge per EPA guidelines. Send chassis to scrap/salvage yard. - Infill the holes left from window air conditioners with aluminum or galvanized insulated panels painted to match existing building exterior window panels. Caulk/flash new panels for water-tight finished assembly. - Add (2) 14-TON "LG Multi-V I" variable refrigerant flow heat pump systems to serve the second floor. Outdoor heat pumps will be located on the roof. Approximate locations shown on attached drawings with "HP" - Install (15) "LG Multi-V I" wall mounted air handling units in rooms where window air conditioners were removed. Approximate locations indicated with an "AHU" on attached drawings. - Install wall-mounted controller/thermostat for each new air handling unit. Locations indicated with a "T" on attached drawings. Thermostats located in common areas (hallways, etc.) shall be provided with locking covers. - Route refrigerant piping, wiring, and electrical through new vertical and horizontal chases up to the ceiling space above the second floor. Chases to be constructed with wood furring and drywall and painted to match existing interior finishes. Remove/reuse existing wood moldings. Where needed, replicate existing wood moldings - Install (5) "LG Multi-V I" refrigerant distribution units in the ceiling space above the second floor. Approximate locations shown on the attached drawings with "HRU". - Provide and install ceiling-mounted access doors to facilitate installation, future access, and service. Approximate location of access door shown on the attached drawings with "AD". - Install (6) wall-mounted electric heaters in ancillary spaces (stair wells, restrooms rooms, etc). Approximate locations shown on the attached drawings with "EH". B. Base Bid Phase 2: Third Floor HVAC (~ 9,600 SF) The selected contractor shall complete the following work on the third floor: Remove and properly dispose of (18) the existing "window unit" air conditioners. Recover and recycle refrigerant charge per EPA guidelines. Send chassis to scrap/salvage yard. - Infill the holes left from window air conditioners with aluminum or galvanized insulated panels painted to match existing building exterior window panels. Caulk/flash new panels for water-tight finished assembly. - Add (2) "LG Multi-V I" 14-TON variable refrigerant flow heat pump systems to serve the second floor. Outdoor heat pumps will be located on the roof. Approximate locations shown on attached drawings with "HP" - Add (1) "LG Multi-V I" 4-TON variable refrigerant flow heat pump system to serve mezzanine level. Approximate locations indicated with an "HP" on attached drawings. - Install (18) "LG Multi-V I" wall mounted air handling units in rooms where window air conditioners were removed. Approximate locations indicated with an "AHU" on attached drawings. - Install (1) "LG Multi-V I" ducted style air handling unit for the mezzanine level. Approximate locations indicated with an "AHU" on attached drawings. - Install wall-mounted controller/thermostat for each new air handling unit. Locations indicated with a "T" on attached drawings. Thermostats located in common areas (hallways, etc.) shall be provided with locking covers. - Route refrigerant piping, wiring, and electrical through new vertical and horizontal chases up to the ceiling space above the second floor - Install (6) refrigerant distribution units in the ceiling space above the second floor. Approximate locations shown on the attached drawings with "HRU". - Provide and install ceiling-mounted access doors to facilitate installation, future access, and service. Approximate location of access door shown on the attached drawings with "AD". - Install (4) wall-mounted electric heaters in ancillary spaces (stair wells, restrooms rooms, etc.). Approximate locations shown on the attached drawings with "EH". C. Alternate Bid #1: Chiller Replacement for First and Second Floor Ballrooms Contractors may submit a separate price for the following work: Replace the existing air-cooled water chiller, located on grade on the South side of the building, with an "LG KCH" series inverter driven heat pump water chiller. The chiller serves the first floor and second floor ballroom. Extend existing chilled water lines to the exterior of the building and connect to new chiller. Insulate all water lines and install glycol antifreeze. D. Alternate Bid #2: Dehumidifier Installation Contractors may submit a separate price for the following work: Install (2) standalone dehumidifiers on second and third floors (4 units total). Dehumidifiers for the second floor will be installed in the existing mechanical hallway behind the ballroom with ductwork and grilles extended into the corridor. Install filter grilles on the return ductwork. Dehumidifiers for the third floor will be mounted in the ceiling space with duct work extended to ceiling grilles. Approximate locations shown on the attached drawings with "DH". Install ductwork and grilles sized per manufacturer's guidelines. Coordinate grille location and appearance with owner. Install access doors to facilitate installation and future service E. Alternate Bid #3: Steam Radiator Removal Contractors may submit a separate price for the following work: Remove all steam radiators throughout the building and cap steam lines. Paint/patch walls/floors as needed behind/around radiators to match existing wall finishes. This includes basement, first, second, third floors, and mezzanine. Decommission existing steam boiler per manufacturer's decommissioning & long-term storage recommendations. Typical of (53) radiators throughout the building. The radiators in the Ballroom ("OLD COURT ROOM") are to be converted to hot water including, but not limited to, removing steams traps, installing hot water control valve and thermostats, and adding air vents. New insulated hot water supply and return lines will be installed to connect these radiators to the existing hot water boiler system in the basement. In all ancillary spaces where steam radiators are removed (entry ways, stairwell, bathrooms, etc.) new heaters will be installed. Heaters may be either electric or hot water type with associated piping, wiring, etc. as required. F. Alternative Bid #4: Asbestos Abatement o Asbestos Abatement (Basement Location Only): o Assess the extent of asbestos contaminated piping and also the extent of asbestos floor tiles in the basement area. Provide separate price for the contaminated piping and a separate price for the floor tiles. o Asbestos abatement is a priority and that work must be completed prior to HVAC installation. o Removal and disposal of asbestos-containing materials located in all areas to the right side of basement corridor: removal and disposal of asbestos pipe and fitting insulation o Removal and disposal of asbestos-containing materials located on the left side corridor beyond project area including remainder of hallway pipe insulation Setting up a negative pressure containment to remove and dispose of carpet, asbestos floor tiles, asbestos pipe and fitting insulation o Abatement must be completed by a Maryland-licensed, EPA-certified asbestos abatement contractor o This abatement must follow all established protocol for MDE notification prior to the work o Must follow all established Federal, State, and local regulations in completing the abatement activities o Asbestos Abatement Requirements: o Work practices to conform with all applicable regulations and the recommendations/requirements of the Maryland Department of Planning Clearinghouse Letter o Notifications sent to regulatory agencies as required o Personal air monitoring as required by OSHA o Debris properly packaged and labeled for legal disposal o Include final report documentation