Chiller Replacement at US Salinity Laboratory (USSL) (Riverside, CA)

The United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service (USDA ARS) is seeking a contractor to replace the chiller system at the U.S. Salinity Laboratory located in Riverside, California. The project requires comprehensive mechanical and electrical work, including disconnecting and removing existing cooling equipment such as an evaporative cooler, chiller, cooling tower, and pumps, and installing two new chillers with related appurtenant devices. The contractor will be responsible for providing all labor, equipment, materials, supervision, and transportation to complete the work in accordance with detailed project specifications and design drawings. The Request for Proposal (RFP) #12905B25R0012 is expected to be issued on or around May 20, 2025, and will be accessible via SAM.gov. All potential offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) and comply with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) requirements.

The contract is designated as a Total Small Business Set-Aside under NAICS Code 238220 for Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors, with a size standard of $19 million. The project's construction magnitude is estimated between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000, and will be awarded as a Firm Fixed Price Construction Contract. The specific completion timeframe has not yet been determined, but the project involves replacing the existing 200-ton chiller with two new 132-ton air-cooled chillers, including installation of a 700-gallon buffer tank, new pumps, and updated electrical infrastructure. The project will require precise technical implementation, including new concrete foundations, updated piping and electrical systems, and careful coordination potentially while the facility remains operational. Interested contractors should carefully review the comprehensive technical specifications and design drawings that provide detailed requirements for the replacement project.