This amendment attaches the RFI that was inadvertently left out.
Request for Information/Sources Sought Synopsis for Market Research Purposes Only for Cooling Systems
The U.S. Department of Interior (DOI), US Geological Survey (USGS) is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) as a means of conducting market research to identify parties having an interest in, experience, and the resources to support this requirement for the potential need for services.
In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.215-3, Request for Information for Solicitation and Planning Purposes (October 1997), this notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes only. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP). The DOI, USGS intends to assess the responses to include in its decision-making. This notice is not to be construed as a commitment by the government to contract for services. The government will not pay for any information provided as a result of this notice and will not recognize or reimburse any cost associated with RFI submission. Responses to this RFI will not affect a potential offeror's ability to respond to any RFP that might follow. Please ensure that any sensitive or protected information is marked as such, as this information will be kept confidential except as provided by law.
The purpose of this RFI is to identify potential sources and gather information that will help in forming the solicitation to maximize competition and secure the best value outcome for the American taxpayer. Interested prospective contractors are invited to reply to any or all the following.
Background:
As part of an ongoing process to reduce facility water consumption, the Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC) is planning on replacing multiple water-cooled chillers serving Segments A, B and C of the main building Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems with air-cooled units.
Segments A, B and C chilled water is currently provided by a Multistack Maglev water cooled chiller (Model MS0292FC1M2W2H1CC66FL-R134A) in Room C-111m. An additional Dedicated Heat Recovery Chiller (DHRC) chiller (Model MS030XC2H2H2AAC-R410A) located in the same room is no longer used.
This project would involve removing both the Maglev unit and the DHRC unit and installing a new outdoor chiller system capable of providing sufficient cooling capacity to make up for any losses in system efficiency.
Due to risks of freezing weather, and because temperatures in transition months are highly variable, it is intended that the new system be configured to not require draining of the chilled water lines as a means of winterizing the chilled water loop to prevent damage to the new chiller or its primary piping circuit.
Scope of Services:
The estimated magnitude of this construction project is between $.75M and $1.5M.
To eliminate the need for draining the chilled water lines as part of winterizing the new system, interested parties may propose a new chiller system having the following salient characteristics: No alternatives shall be provided.
1. Air-cooled chillers with remote evaporators installed in C-111m mechanical space.
2. Chiller capacity to be split between 2 chiller units, each with 160-180 tons cooling capacity.
3. Chiller units to use scroll compressors.
4. Chiller and remote evaporator system shall be by the same manufacturer and intended by the manufacturer to be installed as one complete system.
5. All chilled water piping to be reconfigured and piped to new remote evaporators.
6. The existing chiller units are each served by separate 460v 400A disconnects.
7. There are no cooling components on the roof. It is expected that the outdoor units will be mounted on the ground on the east side of Segment B.
8. Noise limitations: 60-80dBa range as tested per ANSI/AHRI Standard 370-2025(SI/I-P)
9. Main space constraints: Distance from the building, parking lot and loading dock area and allowable distance of refrigerant lines (determined by chiller manufacturer).
It is the intent of the Government that the interested parties shall be responsible for the entire design, construction and commissioning of the requirement, including site preparation, general construction, mechanical, electrical, controls and systems commissioning. As such, interested parties shall include capabilities as pertaining to design and layout of refrigeration and chilled water systems, and any specific partnerships with architect/engineering firms and manufacturers in addressing specific issues related to refrigerant piping layout, system sizing and sitting of remote evaporator chiller equipment.
Vendors shall include references to systems where the vendor's proposed configuration was successfully implemented, including location, size of the system, chiller manufacturer, installation year, and customer contact information.
Please provide a rough estimate of the cost, consisting of engineering costs; capital equipment cost, including installation; and operating cost.
To ensure quality work and maximize employee safety, we intend to follow all State of Wisconsin contractor licensing/registration requirements. For example, Wisconsin statute 101.862 requires licensed electricians and 145.06 requires licensed plumbers. Please identify any other trade licensing requirements or general contractor licensing requirements we should be aware of.
Location:
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
2630 Fanta Reed Road
La Crosse, WI 54603
Point of Contact:
Beth Wilson, Contract Specialist, beth_wilson@ios.doi.gov.
THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AT THIS TIME; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released it shall be synopsized in the Government's SAM website (https://sam.gov). It is the potential offerors' responsibility to monitor these sites for the release of any solicitation or synopsis.
Submission of any information in response to this RFI is purely voluntary. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation. The result of this market research will contribute to determining the method of procurement.
Submittals:
If your organization can meet this requirement, please provide:
1. Organization name, address, email address, Web site address, telephone number, and size and type of ownership for the organization.
2. Tailored capability statements addressing the particulars of this effort, with appropriate documentation supporting claims of organizational and staff capability. If significant subcontracting or teaming is anticipated in order to deliver technical capability, organizations should address the administrative and management structure of such arrangements.
3. Scope of services.
4. Estimated project schedule.
5. Rough order of magnitude cost separately for each of the proposed services. (Any expenses including travel, lodging and other reimbursable expenses shall be included in the fee for the proposed services.
6. Examples of your team's previous successful project (if available)
