DC Power Supply (2024-UWMSN-00455-RFB)

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is seeking bids for a sophisticated DC Power Supply through a competitive Request for Bid (RFB) process, event number 2024-UWMSN-00455-RFB. The procurement is specifically for a programmable power supply intended to support a nuclear fuel rod simulator, with precise technical requirements including the ability to deliver 3000 amperes DC at 160 volts and a minimum power output of 108 kilowatts at 67 volts and 1612 amperes. The power supply must include critical features such as ethernet and USB interfaces, control and maintenance software, a protective cabinet, a safety circuit with emergency stop button, and a cooling system. Mandatory specifications are stringent, with any failure to meet requirements resulting in bid disqualification. The solicitation was posted on October 19, 2023, with bid responses due by November 3, 2023, and all submissions must be entered online through the ShopUW+ platform at https://bids.sciquest.com/apps/Router/PublicEvent?CustomerOrg=UWisconsin. Potential bidders are required to direct any questions to Jennifer Quinn at jenn.quinn@wisc.edu, and two amendments have already been issued to clarify technical specifications and address potential bidder inquiries.

No specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises were explicitly mentioned in the provided documentation. The solicitation appears open to qualified vendors capable of meeting the technical specifications for the DC Power Supply. While no incumbent vendors were identified, the procurement suggests a specialized technical requirement for a research or experimental setting, likely within the university's engineering or scientific research facilities. The complexity of the power supply specifications indicates a potential high-value procurement, though no exact budget range was specified in the available documents. The university emphasized an urgent delivery timeline, acknowledging that lead times might extend several weeks, which suggests flexibility in vendor selection based on technical compliance and potential delivery capabilities. The power supply must be capable of supporting current requirements of 1612 amperes while also accommodating future project needs of up to 3000 amperes, indicating potential for ongoing or expanded use beyond the immediate procurement.