Cooling tower replacement services

The Washington Convention and Sports Authority, operating as Events DC, issued a Request for Proposal on March 5, 2026, for Cooling Tower Replacement Services at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in the District of Columbia. This firm-fixed-price procurement requires qualified contractors to supply and install eight new efficient cooling towers while removing the eight existing single-cell, draw-through towers that have been operational since 2002, along with associated components including fans, motors, piping, controls, and electrical systems. The scope of work encompasses phased removal of existing equipment (two towers at a time to maintain facility operations), installation of new cooling towers, commissioning and balance testing, integration with the Building Automation System, comprehensive staff training, and proper disposal of construction debris. Qualified contractors must demonstrate a minimum of ten years of similar cooling tower replacement experience, employ HVAC master-licensed technicians with EPA Section 608 certifications and Cooling Technology Institute certification, and maintain District of Columbia business licensing. The evaluation will be conducted on a weighted basis allocating 80 points for technical merit, 20 points for pricing, and 12 points for Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) preference criteria, with technical quality weighted more heavily than cost. A mandatory pre-proposal conference and site visit is scheduled for March 16, 2026, at 11:00 AM EST, with written questions due by March 19, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST, and proposals due by April 6, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST. The contract base term extends from the award date through September 30, 2027, with four optional one-year renewal periods available at Events DC's discretion.

This procurement is subject to a 35 percent set-aside for Certified Business Enterprises (CBEs) or Small Business Enterprises (SBEs) as required under District of Columbia law, and contractors must submit a preliminary subcontracting plan demonstrating compliance with this requirement before contract execution. The solicitation is also subject to First Source Employment Agreement requirements mandating that 51 percent of newly hired personnel be District of Columbia residents for contracts exceeding $300,000, and contractors must comply with applicable U.S. Department of Labor wage determinations and the Living Wage Act of 2006. Contractors are required to maintain comprehensive insurance coverage including general liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence, umbrella liability of $5,000,000, workers' compensation at statutory limits, and professional liability of $5,000,000. The RFP documents do not specify an incumbent vendor or budget range for this contract opportunity. All submitted proposals must comply with Events DC's Standard Contract Terms and Conditions, include a signed Tax Certification Affidavit demonstrating District of Columbia tax compliance, complete a W-9 form for tax identification purposes, submit an ACH authorization form for electronic payment processing, and provide a signed Disclosure Statement certifying any relationships with Events DC Board members and key staff to ensure transparency and prevent conflicts of interest.