Replace HVAC System to Animal Rooms at Hawaii Field Station

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is seeking contractors to replace the HVAC system in animal rooms at the Wildlife Research Center in Hilo, Hawaii. This construction project involves replacing existing fan coil units, condensing units, exhaust fans, and associated ductwork and controls in Animal Rooms 6 and 7, which are classified as BSL-2 or lower biosafety level rooms. The new HVAC system must provide 100% outside air ventilation, maintain negative room pressure relative to adjacent spaces, and deliver constant volume airflow between 10-15 air changes per hour with advanced control features. Contractors will be evaluated based on technical capability (specifically relevant HVAC experience), price reasonableness and realism, and past performance. A mandatory site visit is scheduled for July 8, 2025, at 9 a.m. HST, with the proposal submission deadline of July 28, 2025, following an amendment that extended the original closing date to July 25, 2025.

This opportunity is set aside exclusively for small business concerns under NAICS code 238220 (Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning Contractors) with a size standard of $19 million. The estimated project value ranges between $250,000 and $500,000, and no incumbent contractor is identified in the solicitation documents. The selected contractor must commence work within 10 calendar days of award and complete the entire project within 220 calendar days, including 80 days for submittals and material acquisition, 110 days for construction, and 30 days for commissioning and closeout. The work will be performed at the National Wildlife Research Center Field Station located at 210 Amauulu Road, Hilo, Hawaii 96720. Special scheduling requirements mandate that only one HVAC system can be shut down at a time, requiring careful coordination to minimize disruption to ongoing animal research operations.