Trane Chiller Replacement, Poplarville, MS

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Contracting Operations Branch-Construction Team is seeking a contractor to replace an existing Trane RTAF chiller with a new properly sized Trane air-cooled chiller (RTAF-230) at the Southeast Area Thad Cochran Southern Horticulture Lab in Poplarville, Mississippi. The contractor must provide all personnel, equipment, tools, materials, supervision, and quality control to perform the complete removal and installation services. A mandatory site visit is scheduled for July 8, 2025, at 9:00 AM Central Time, with interested vendors required to notify the Contracting Officer at osvaldo.rodriguez@usda.gov by 10:00 AM Eastern Time on July 7, 2025, to be added to the approved attendance list. The solicitation includes comprehensive requirements for coordination with building automation systems, startup procedures with factory-trained technicians, and the ability to reuse existing underground plumbing and concrete pad infrastructure. The proposal submission deadline is July 29, 2025, and vendors are strongly urged to inspect the site before submitting their proposals.

This opportunity is designated as a Total Small Business set-aside under NAICS code 238220 for Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors. The work involves replacing a 230-ton chiller system while the building remains fully occupied, requiring all work to be performed outside the main building structure. The contract requires coordination with the Location Point of Contract for any necessary shutdowns and allows contractors to reuse existing electrical infrastructure where feasible. Performance will take place at the Southeast Area Thad Cochran Southern Horticulture Lab located at 810 Hwy 26W, Poplarville, MS 39470. The solicitation does not specify award values or contract duration, but includes standard construction contract provisions including Davis-Bacon Act wage determinations and requirements for performance bonds through Standard Form 24.