Early Procurement Package Rotary-Screw Compressor Water Chiller Walker Complex HVAC and BAS Repairs (SCO ID# 25-29576-02B)

North Carolina Central University is requesting competitive bids for one rotary-screw compressor water chiller as an early procurement item for the Walker Complex HVAC and BAS Upgrades project under IFB #61-IFB25033, with bids due October 7, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET and written questions due by 5:00 PM on September 24, 2026.

The chiller must be delivered to LeRoy T. Walker Physical Education and Recreation Complex at 1450 S Alston Avenue, Durham, North Carolina between February 15, 2027 and March 1, 2027 — a delivery window identified as critical to evaluation. NCCU is owner-furnishing the unit in advance of the main construction contract to ensure on-site availability; the chiller will be contractor-installed under a single-prime renovation contract. Vendors may submit multiple delivery options within a single bid; minor deviations from technical specifications are permitted to improve delivery timelines, but major deviations will not be accepted.

The chiller must comply with AHRI 550/590, ASHRAE 15, UL 465, ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, and North Carolina State Building Code Energy Conservation Code. Required specifications include rotary twin-screw compressors operating at no more than 3,600 rpm with maximum single-compressor capacity not exceeding 50 tons, R-513a refrigerant, plate-fin condensers with integral sub-cooling, BACnet-compatible controller integration, thermal-expansion valves, evaporator freeze protection to -20 degrees Fahrenheit, and a four-year extended parts and labor warranty on the refrigeration compressor following the initial one-year period.

Bid pricing must be submitted on a life-cycle cost analysis basis using Appendix F, incorporating initial cost plus estimated energy usage over 23 years at $0.079 per kilowatt-hour across four load conditions. Delivery, assembly, and preparation must be included, Free-On-Board Destination, within 140 consecutive calendar days after purchase order receipt. Vendors must provide manufacturer authorization, at least three customer references for the exact model offered, completed financial certification, and Executive Order 50 price-matching documentation if applicable. Award will be made to the responsive, lowest life-cycle cost bid meeting specifications and delivery requirements, evaluated on past performance, references, and financial stability. No pre-bid conference or site visit is offered.