Intent to Single Source: Scotsman Refrigeration & Equipment/Ice Machines

The City of Tampa is pursuing a single-source procurement for Scotsman ice machines and related equipment across multiple municipal departments, including Municipal Services, Tampa Fire Rescue, Tampa Police Department, and Parks & Recreation. The intent to single-source solicitation (number 25-X-01370) will be fulfilled through United Refrigeration, Inc. (URI), the exclusive factory-authorized distributor for Scotsman Ice Systems on Florida's West Coast. Over 95% of City of Tampa facilities currently utilize Scotsman equipment, and the procurement aims to continue the 25-year relationship of purchasing ice makers at wholesale prices. The key deliverables include ice machines, parts, and associated equipment, with URI strategically located within 4.5 miles of City Center and maintaining a robust inventory to meet municipal needs. The procurement also encompasses factory-certified training for Facility Management technicians, ensuring ongoing technical expertise and knowledge of equipment upgrades and servicing techniques. The solicitation was posted on June 2, 2025, with a due date of June 5, 2025, and requires vendors to provide documentation proving authorization to supply the requested goods and services.

The procurement appears to have no specific set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations. United Refrigeration, Inc. is the incumbent and sole-source vendor, with an exclusive distribution agreement confirmed by a Scotsman Ice Systems letter dated March 31st, 2025. The estimated annual expenditure for this procurement is $85,000.00, covering ice machines and related equipment for multiple city departments. No specific integration requirements beyond existing Scotsman equipment infrastructure were noted in the documentation. The single-source justification emphasizes URI's unique position as the factory-authorized distributor for Scotsman Ice Systems in the Florida West Coast region, including Fort Myers, Orlando, and Tampa. The procurement does not indicate any preference for disadvantaged business enterprises or specific vendor qualifications beyond the existing relationship with United Refrigeration, Inc. The contract appears to be a continuation of an established procurement strategy that has been in place for 25 years.