Forced Circulation Evaporator

The state of South Dakota, specifically Brown County and the Dakota Bioproducts Innovation Institute, is seeking a vendor to procure a new Forced Circulation Evaporator system through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process. The procurement involves a skid-mounted, single-effect evaporator designed to concentrate various process streams with a feed flow rate up to 1,500 lb/hr and a maximum evaporation rate of 1,200 lb/hr. The system must be fully automated, comply with ASME BPE standards, and constructed using 316 stainless steel for all wetted parts, with steam as the heat source and chilled water as the cooling medium. Vendor selection will be based on a comprehensive evaluation framework that includes mandatory technical requirements (30%), pricing (20%), technical response (10%), lead time (15%), warranty (5%), and experience/past performance (20%). Bids are due by February 20, 2024, and must be submitted electronically to Craig Arnold (craig@dakotabioworx.org) and Bobby Markham (Bobby.Markham@sdstate.edu), with the expectation that the successful vendor will provide complete system documentation including operational manuals, technical drawings, and control system specifications.

The contract opportunity is subject to several regulatory requirements, including federal Buy America provisions, prohibited entity restrictions, and South Dakota legislative conflict of interest guidelines. While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are explicitly mentioned, potential bidders should be prepared to demonstrate compliance with these regulatory frameworks. The procurement does not indicate information about incumbent vendors or existing infrastructure requiring integration. Though a specific budget range is not disclosed in the documentation, the technical complexity and specialized nature of the Forced Circulation Evaporator suggest a substantial investment in advanced bioprocessing equipment. Vendors will need to demonstrate significant technical expertise in designing and manufacturing industrial evaporation systems, with a proven track record of delivering high-performance, compliant solutions for research and industrial applications.