Replacement of Two HVACs with Integrated Dehumidif

The U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service is soliciting bids for the procurement, removal, and installation of two HVAC systems with integrated dehumidification capability at the Ouray National Fish Hatchery's Grand Valley Unit in Grand Junction, Colorado. The new systems must meet stringent technical specifications, including a minimum 95% efficiency rating, approximately 10-ton capacity per unit, R454B or approved equivalent refrigerant, and high-efficiency filtration with a MERV rating of 12 or higher that removes 99.97% of airborne particles at 0.3 microns. The systems must maintain indoor relative humidity between 30% and 50% while serving 7,200 square feet of climate-controlled space. Award will be made to the lowest-priced responsible small business offer based solely on price, with the government intending to award without discussions. Critical deadlines include a mandatory site visit on February 11, 2026 at 10:00 AM MST, questions due by February 13, 2026 at 12:00 PM MST, and proposals due by February 20, 2026 at 12:00 PM MST; the original solicitation deadline was March 4, 2026.

This solicitation is designated as a Total Small Business Set-Aside under NAICS code 238220 (Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors) with a $19 million size standard. There is no incumbent contractor, as this is a new engagement to replace 15-year-old HVAC units that use discontinued refrigerant and are undersized for current operational demands. The performance period runs from February 27, 2026 through November 1, 2026, allowing a two-month operational shutdown window for completion of all work. The contractor must install the new HVAC units outside the south wall of the hatchery building, remove existing equipment with proper refrigerant recovery, install programmable digital thermostats, provide operational training, and deliver comprehensive documentation including operation manuals, warranty information, and as-built drawings. All work must comply with applicable building, electrical, and mechanical codes, and Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements apply to this federal construction contract.