UNSPSC 40101713: Absorption chiller

A type of refrigeration unit which vaporizes refrigerant gas using an evaporator. The gas is then absorbed into the solution of an absorbent and divided again, transferred to a condenser and condensed by a coolant, establishing a chilling cycle. It uses water as a refrigerant and LiBr solution as an absorbent.

UNSPSC 40101713 Absorption chiller (Commodity) covers chiller replacement, repair, preventative maintenance, and major overhaul services that state and local governments procure for institutional and municipal facilities. Recent opportunities show state and local agencies soliciting equipment supply and installation (new chillers, variable frequency drives, pumps, piping, and controls), turnkey plant modernization, routine and emergency maintenance contracts, and parts procurement. The issuing bodies span state universities, county and city facilities departments, school districts, health departments, utility authorities, and regional transit systems across multiple states. Typical work includes removal of existing chillers and installation of replacement units sized from 90 to 2,000 tons; compliance with manufacturer specifications and building codes; factory-authorized startup, testing, and staff training; and performance or payment bonding.

Geographic activity concentrates in Florida, Texas, Georgia, and Oregon, with recent solicitations also from Mississippi, California, Washington state, and the District of Columbia. Representative recent opportunities include the City of St. Petersburg issuing RFQ 26292 for Chiller Replacement and three additional HVAC work categories across municipal locations (due August 20, 2026); Orange County, Florida soliciting sealed bids (Y26-753) for Administration Center HVAC Chiller Plant Upgrades with an estimated contract value of $3,000,000 and a due date of July 30, 2026; Pinellas County School District issuing two separate IFBs for chiller replacement (26CD027 due July 8, 2026, and 26CD029 due July 10, 2026); Georgia State University requesting statements of qualifications for two separate chiller replacement projects at Library South Data Center and East Campus Central Plant (both due late July 2026); the Texas Health and Human Services Commission soliciting preventative maintenance and repair services for HVAC and chiller equipment at Rio Grande State Center with emergency response requirements (HHS0017658, due July 31, 2026); and Williamson County, Texas conducting two separate CSP solicitations for Justice Complex and Cedar Park Annex chiller plant upgrades with budgets of $580,000 and $810,000 respectively. Set-asides and local preferences vary—St. Petersburg and Orange County offer service-disabled veteran bid preferences; several Texas jurisdictions apply prevailing wage and Davis-Bacon Act compliance; District of Columbia requirements include 35 percent CBE/SBE subcontracting set-asides and First Source employment restrictions. Most contracts are structured as firm fixed-price with no guaranteed minimum volume, three-year terms with optional renewals common, and evaluation weighted toward experience, qualifications, and price.