Upgrade Refrigeration Equipment

The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service is seeking to procure services to upgrade refrigeration equipment for a seed storage cooler at the Integrated Cropping Systems Research facility in Brookings, South Dakota. The solicitation (1232SA26Q0434) requires the complete removal of an existing 18-year-old refrigeration system and installation of a new commercial-grade system capable of maintaining precise environmental conditions (32-41°F temperature within 3°F of setpoint and 40% relative humidity within 5% of setpoint) within a 17 ft × 15 ft 6 in × 10 ft cooler box. Qualification requirements include South Dakota-authorized HVAC mechanic licensing with a minimum of five years' experience in HVAC repairs, and offerors must provide at least one prior experience reference for a similar project completed within the past two years. Award will be made to the offeror representing the best value based on technical acceptability and pricing. Critical deadlines include a mandatory site visit on April 15, 2026 at 8:00 AM CST, a Request for Information deadline of April 20, 2026 at 6:30 AM CST, and an offer due date of April 27, 2026 at 6:30 AM CST.

This solicitation is designated as a Total Small Business Set-Aside with a small business size standard of $19.0 million under NAICS code 238220. No incumbent contractor is identified in the documentation. The contract will be awarded on a firm fixed-price basis with a 150-day delivery requirement following contract award, though the Performance Work Statement indicates completion of both demolition and installation is due within 60 days or earlier after contract acceptance. Prevailing wage rates for HVAC Maintenance Mechanics in South Dakota are established at $32.59 per hour with applicable fringe benefits including health and welfare at $5.55 per hour. The work is to be performed in Brookings, South Dakota, with operations expected during standard business hours (7:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays), requiring coordination with the Location Monitor, Craig McCuin.