Educational services center (ESC) server room

School District U-46, located in Elgin, Illinois, is soliciting bids for a comprehensive infrastructure upgrade project at its Educational Services Center (ESC) Server Room, designated as Project No. 335-25. The procurement involves the installation of a dry fire suppression system using Novec 1230 technology, an HVAC upgrade including a new Liebert computer air conditioning unit and roof-mounted air-cooled condenser, and an emergency generator installation. The project requires precise technical capabilities, including room integrity testing, pressure/leakage testing, and integration with the existing addressable fire alarm system. Key deliverables include a 5,300 CFM cooling unit with variable capacity compressors, a 36" high box roof curb, and a complete fire suppression system covering both above and below the raised floor. The bid timeline includes a mandatory pre-bid meeting on September 15, 2025, at 3:30 PM CST, vendor questions due by September 17, 2025, at 12:00 PM CST, and bid submissions due September 29, 2025, at 3:00 PM CST. The virtual bid opening will be conducted via Zoom, with anticipated Board of Education approval on November 3, 2025, and a projected purchase order date of November 17, 2025.

The district actively encourages participation from minority-owned and women-owned businesses and will administer the bid through the Bonfire eProcurement System. All potential vendors must register on this platform to participate. The Board of Education reserves the right to award the bid on an item basis and/or to a sole or multiple providers. Contractors must comply with comprehensive insurance requirements, including specific minimum coverage limits for Workers' Compensation, Professional Liability, Commercial General Liability, and Automobile Liability. Successful bidders will be required to coordinate with Fox Valley Fire & Safety for system installation, programming, and certification, with a focus on minimal disruption to district operations. While specific budget details are not explicitly stated, the project involves sophisticated technological infrastructure upgrades for a school district serving over 35,000 students across 57 schools. Contractors will need to demonstrate expertise in complex server room environmental control, fire suppression, and electrical infrastructure projects, with a clear understanding of the technical specifications outlined in the project documentation.