Continuing Professional Engineering and Support Services for District Cooling Systems

The Orlando Utilities Commission is requesting Statements of Qualifications from engineering consulting firms to provide continuing professional engineering design, consulting, and support services for district cooling systems on an as-needed basis under a five-year continuing contract, with responses due July 20, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. EST via Vendorlink. OUC anticipates multiple contract awards and will independently negotiate pricing for each project with selected firms post-selection, consistent with Florida Statute 287.055 (Consultants Competitive Negotiation Act).

Respondent firms must hold Florida Professional Engineering licensure and demonstrate a minimum of five years of experience and at least three completed projects in district cooling and chilled water systems within the last five years. A local office or staff presence within 125 miles of OUC's downtown Orlando location is required; this geographic requirement was extended from 100 miles in Addendum No. 1. Mechanical engineers must show experience designing chilled water plants larger than 2,000 tons, performing hydraulic analysis, life-cycle cost analysis, and thermal energy storage design, with at least five completed chilled water district projects in Central Florida. Civil engineers must demonstrate surveying capabilities and permitting experience with local and state agencies. Electrical engineers must have experience designing industrial chilled water plants at service sizes of 4,000 amperes at 277/480 volts and larger, with at least five completed chiller plants in Central Florida. Full interdisciplinary teams are not required; OUC will make multiple awards and firms may specialize in specific disciplines.

Minimum insurance includes $2 million general liability, $1 million auto coverage, statutory workers compensation, and $2 million to $5 million professional liability depending on project value. Historical project costs range from $10,000 to $200,000. Responses must acknowledge receipt of both Addendum No. 1 (posted June 23) and Addendum No. 2 (posted July 14, extending the deadline from July 14) to be considered responsive. A short list will be determined by August 12, 2026 (tentative), with interviews and ranking by August 26 (tentative). The designated buyer is Bhumika Nathoo; all communications regarding this solicitation must occur through that contact.