CSU RiverCenter Cooling Tower Replacement

Columbus State University is procuring a qualified contractor through a Design-Bid-Build process to replace the cooling tower system at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts facility in Columbus, Georgia (Muscogee County/Columbus City). The procurement, conducted pursuant to the Georgia State Purchasing Act and issued as Request for Quotation #PE-53000-RFQ-2026-000000048, seeks sealed bids for the complete removal of existing cooling towers and installation of two new AXS Series 3000 NC cooling tower units with associated HVAC system modifications, condenser water piping, electrical disconnects and conductors, and structural steel support systems. Key deliverables include material completion within 180 consecutive calendar days from the Proceed Order date, testing and balancing of the completed condenser water system, and minimal disruption to campus operations while maintaining utilities and life safety systems throughout construction. Bidders must demonstrate minimum qualifications including four years of business operation, successful completion of at least three similar mechanical projects valued at $200,000 or more, current Georgia mechanical licensure, qualified personnel, and financial stability with a current ratio of 1.0 or higher. A mandatory pre-bid conference and site visit was held on July 22, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. EST at the University Operations Facilities Training Room with attendance required for bid eligibility, and sealed bids were due by 2:00 p.m. EST on August 19, 2025, at the CSU Plant Operations Training Room. The contractor will be evaluated and selected as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, with evaluation criteria including current debarment status, prior contract termination history, workers' compensation safety record (Experience Modification Rate not exceeding 1.2 average), and past work performance on public works projects.

No specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises or restrictions limiting bidder eligibility are identified in the procurement documents. Bidders were required to submit a five percent bid bond, federal work authorization certification through e-Verify affidavit, and notarized bids on required forms, with successful contractors obligated to provide Performance and Payment Bonds each equal to 100 percent of the contract sum prior to execution. The project documents do not reference incumbent vendors or current contractors, though they note that existing structural elements, service platforms, and mechanical/electrical infrastructure will be retained and integrated with new cooling tower equipment. The design professional, NBP Engineers, Inc., provided detailed bid set drawings and specifications dated July 9, 2025, with a bid set expiration date of June 30, 2026. Comfort Systems USA was selected as the apparent successful offeror with a fixed contract amount of $438,930.00, following the Notice of Intent to Award posted September 12, 2025, and the Notice of Award issued September 23, 2025, with three unsuccessful offerors (Holbrook Service Company, John F. Pennebaker, and T&D Mechanical) rejected for not submitting the low bid.