MMW Chiller for Balance of Plant

The Department of Energy Office of Science's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is seeking quotes for a MultiMegawatt (MMW) chiller system designed to support hydrogen production through a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer process. The procurement calls for an outdoor air-cooled chiller system with a minimum total cooling capacity of 30 tons, utilizing either two independent chillers with a passive buffer tank or a single chiller with two independent refrigeration loops, all configured to cool glycol process fluid for hydrogen drying applications. Vendors must demonstrate compliance with Buy American Act requirements, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act accessibility standards, and prohibitions on certain telecommunications equipment, while providing complete documentation including official quotes based on technical specifications, representations and certifications, SAM registration confirmation, price justification with published price lists or customer invoices, and country of origin information for shipped items. The solicitation will utilize a Lowest Price (Cost), Technically Acceptable Selection evaluation method to determine the award recipient. Key deadlines include December 17, 2025 for technical questions and December 31, 2025 at 4 PM Mountain Time for quote submission, with a preferred delivery date of March 31, 2026.

This procurement is not subject to any set-aside designations and contains no identified incumbent contractors. The NAICS classification is 333415 (Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing), with the PSC code 3695 for Miscellaneous Special Industry Machinery. The system must operate at 6,000 feet elevation with a glycol flow rate of 90-120 gallons per minute, maintain fluid temperatures of 35-37 degrees Fahrenheit, and withstand ambient conditions ranging from 0 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit during normal operation and -20 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit for survival capability, including wind speeds up to 155 miles per hour. The electrical specifications require 480 VAC 3-phase power with OSHA-approved NRTL listing for electrical components and remote on/off control capabilities. Performance of the work will take place in Golden, Colorado, USA, with NREL assuming responsibility for all process piping connections to the drying equipment and heat exchangers.