REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT OF 150-Ton CHILLER COMPRESSORS (Hilo, HI)

Quick Summary

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), is seeking proposals for the turnkey repair and replacement of two 150-Ton Daikin Chiller compressors at the Daniel K. Inouye U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center (PBARC) in Hilo, Hawaii. This is a Total Small Business Set-Aside. Quotes are due by March 4, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET.

Scope of Work

This requirement involves the complete repair and replacement of two compressors for a 150-Ton Daikin Chiller. The scope is turnkey, encompassing all parts, labor, refrigerant, installation, and programming to ensure the chiller is fully operational. Key tasks include:

• Removal and proper disposal of existing compressors.
• Installation of new, OEM compressors and associated hardware, ensuring correct installation per manufacturer specifications.
• Chiller startup, verification of full operational status, and 24-hour post-startup monitoring with necessary adjustments.
• Work area cleanup, including removal of all project rubbish and old parts.
• Adherence to standard industrial HVAC chiller repair practices, federal, state, and local codes, industry standards (EPA, ASTM, GSA, AASHTO), and health/safety codes.
• Compliance with Unified Facilities Guide Specifications (UFGS) and ARS 242.1M standards.

Contract & Timeline

• Opportunity Type: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation (Request for Quotation - RFQ).
• Anticipated Award Type: Firm Fixed Price Contract.
• Set-Aside: Total Small Business Set-Aside.
• NAICS Code: 811310 (Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance) with a small business size standard of $12.5M.
• Place of Performance: 64 Nowelo St, Hilo, Hawaii 96720.
• Contract Duration: 30 calendar days from the Notice to Proceed.
• Published Date: February 12, 2026.
• Questions Due: February 26, 2026, by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
• Site Visit: A site visit is scheduled for Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 09:00 a.m. Hawaii Time. RSVP is required by Monday, February 23, 2026. Contractors must visit the site prior to submitting a bid.
• Quotes Due: March 4, 2026, by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Submission & Evaluation

• Submission Method: Quotes must be submitted via email to Spencer Hamilton at spencer.hamilton@usda.gov.
• Quote Requirements: Submissions must include company letterhead, pricing, SAM Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), acknowledgement of amendments (SF-30), active SAM.gov registration, and completed electronic representations and certifications at SAM.gov.
• Technical Proposal: Technical quotes must describe company capability, technical/management approach, proposed products, and a project completion plan.
• Past Performance: Three past performance examples within the last five years, similar in scope, dollar value, and complexity, are required. CPARS evaluations may be submitted.
• Evaluation Criteria: Award will be based on the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) criteria. Offers with negative past performance may not be considered.
• Quote Validity: Quotes must be held firm for 90 calendar days from the receipt date.

Special Requirements

• The project falls under the DAVIS BACON Wage Act, and bidders must account for prevailing wage rates (Attachment 3).
• A Site-Specific Safety Plan (SSSP) or Accident Prevention Plan (APP) is required 10 days after contract award.
• A one-year warranty for workmanship is required.
• Contractors are responsible for protecting the work area and existing property.
• Submittals of manufacturer's literature/shop drawings are required for review.
• Forms ARS-371 (Construction Progress and Payment Schedule) and ARS-372 (Contractor Request for Payment Transmittal) are relevant for project management and payment processing.