Heat Exchanger for Natural Gas Engine and Service

The City of Tucson is seeking to establish an annual requirements contract for the procurement of free flow engine coolers and associated inspection and rebuild services for its Water Department. The solicitation, Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 250075, specifically targets eight different types of new Free Flow Double Wall Engine Coolers, with a quantity of one each. The contract will require vendors to provide new engine coolers on an as-needed basis and perform comprehensive heat exchanger inspection and rebuild services, which include detailed processes such as disassembly, pressure testing, replacement of inner tubes with 316 stainless steel, and complete reassembly and reinstallation. The proposal was released on April 21, 2025, with a pre-submittal conference scheduled for April 30, 2025, via Microsoft Teams. Proposals are due on May 12, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. local Arizona time, with the initial contract term set for one year and potential for up to four additional one-year extensions. Evaluation criteria will focus on vendor qualifications and experience, method of approach, and price proposal. Contractors must also comply with living wage ordinances, provide specific insurance provisions, and adhere to heat safety plans for outdoor workers.

The solicitation appears to have federal funding implications, potentially through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) resources, which introduces additional compliance requirements for contractors. While no specific set-aside designations are explicitly stated, the contract includes provisions encouraging minority and women business enterprise participation. The RFP covers a comprehensive inventory of 87 natural gas engines across multiple locations, including well sites, booster stations, and plant facilities, primarily manufactured by Caterpillar, Waukesha, and Chevrolet. Contractors must navigate complex federal regulatory standards, including Buy America provisions, equal employment opportunity requirements, and specific certifications for procurements. The City reserves the right to award multiple contracts and will evaluate proposals based on the specified criteria. Though specific budget ranges are not detailed, the scope suggests a significant municipal infrastructure investment targeting specialized cooling equipment and maintenance services for natural gas engine systems across Pima County's municipal operations.