EM Johnson WTP Liquid Oxygen and Equipment Lease

The City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department is requesting proposals for liquid oxygen supply and equipment lease services for ozone production at the EM Johnson Water Treatment Plant, with proposals due August 28, 2026, and a mandatory pre-proposal conference and site visit on August 14, 2026.

The scope includes supplying liquid oxygen at an estimated 1,800,000 pounds annually (90,000 to 225,000 pounds monthly) compliant with AWWA B304-13 and ANSI/NSF Standard 60, with minimum oxygen content of 95.0% (v/v) and specified limits on moisture, argon, nitrogen, and hydrocarbons. The contractor must provide two vertical 9,000-gallon tanks or larger, dual ambient air vaporizers with isolation valves, two 480V block heaters, complete piping systems with isolation capability, and 4-20 mA signal wires for SCADA integration. The contractor is responsible for all equipment maintenance, remote tank level monitoring, and timely deliveries, with monthly billing for both product and equipment lease.

The contract term is five years with service beginning in fiscal year 2026. Liquid oxygen pricing must be firm for one year with a maximum allowable annual increase of 2% thereafter, supported by manufacturer documentation; increases exceeding 2% may constitute grounds for contract cancellation. Proposers must provide at least three references from large drinking water treatment plants (10 MGD or greater), an equipment installation plan, a lease agreement, and a letter of product commitment guaranteeing uninterrupted supply.

Evaluation is weighted as follows: project understanding (20 points), proposed cost (25 points), team organization and experience (20 points), project approach (15 points), corporate background and experience (10 points), and firm financial stability (10 points), with potential interview or demonstration scoring of up to 5 additional points. Written questions are due August 18, 2026, at 5:00 PM, with City responses anticipated by August 21, 2026. Selection is tentatively scheduled for September 14, 2026. The pre-proposal conference and site visit on August 14 at 10:00 AM includes a virtual Teams option; the site address is 10301 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh, NC 27614.