Chilled Water Infrastructure Expansion East Chiller Plant

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is seeking pre-purchased Process Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) for the East Chiller Plant infrastructure expansion project through Invitation for Bid #3000012135. The procurement covers nine VFD units ranging from 125-200 HP, specifically for chilled water pumps, condenser water pumps, and cooling tower fans, with strict technical requirements including 460V input, 3-phase power, and short circuit current ratings of 65kA. Qualified manufacturers must have at least 10 years of experience in VFD design and construction, with approved vendors limited to ABB, Danfoss, and Yaskawa. The bid submission deadline is March 10, 2025, at 1:00 PM EST, with anticipated equipment delivery scheduled for October 2025 and a subsequent installation and commissioning period from November 2025 to November 2026. Bidders are required to provide comprehensive documentation including shop drawings, delivery coordination, equipment check-out and testing protocols, start-up services, operations and maintenance documentation, and owner training. Manufacturers must commit to providing 8 hours of start-up and owner training plus an additional 8 hours of commissioning support for each system.

While no specific set-aside designations or disadvantaged enterprise requirements are explicitly mentioned in the documentation, the procurement is structured to ensure high-quality technical specifications and vendor qualifications. The project is located across Hertford County and Charlotte City in North Carolina, covering infrastructure improvements at the university's East Chiller Plant. The VFD units must meet specific performance criteria for efficiency and power factor, with a mandatory five-year warranty beginning at final project acceptance. Although the exact budget range is not specified, the complexity of the equipment and the comprehensive service requirements suggest a significant investment in infrastructure modernization. The procurement process emphasizes technical competence, with strict manufacturer qualifications and detailed performance expectations, indicating a focus on securing reliable, high-performance infrastructure equipment for the university's chilled water system expansion.