Sources Sought - Freezer Maintenance

The U.S. Geological Survey, procuring on behalf of the National Science Foundation, is conducting market research for operations and maintenance services on a newly constructed CO2 refrigeration plant at the NSF Ice Core Facility in Denver, Colorado, with a sources sought response due by August 12, 2026. The procurement is set aside for small businesses under NAICS 238220 (Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning Contractors; size standard $19.0 million).

Work is performed at the NSF-ICF in building 810, Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colorado. The CO2 refrigeration system employs transcritical technology with two compressor racks, two gas coolers, eight evaporators, flash gas bypass, high-pressure controls, a 6,000-square-foot hydronic floor system with 24 zones, integrated control systems, HVAC and filtration, and CO2 leak detection. The contractor must maintain 99.9% system uptime (excluding scheduled maintenance), ensure 24/7/365 operation, optimize energy consumption, perform remote monitoring and control with secure access protocols, and conduct seasonal adjustments in May and November. Qualified technicians must hold specialized training on CO2 (R477) refrigeration systems. The contractor furnishes all materials, supervision, labor, tools, equipment, technical recommendations, and travel for preventative maintenance, regular maintenance, and emergency response. Replacement parts require advance approval from the NSF-ICF Technical Curator or USGS Program Coordinator. Monthly meetings with NSF-ICF Curators are mandatory to review operations and address issues. All work complies with applicable local, state, and federal codes.

Interested firms must submit name, address, phone number, UEI number, and socioeconomic status by August 12, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. MT to jennifer_rollin@ios.doi.gov. Firms must have an active UEI and be registered in SAM.