Outdoor Walk-In Coolers

The State of Arkansas, through the Department of Transformation and Shared Services Office of State Procurement on behalf of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, is seeking bids for the procurement of 48 outdoor walk-in coolers. The coolers must be fully assembled, freestanding, and able to maintain temperatures between 30-70 degrees, with a minimum interior of 372 cubic feet and a height of 7 feet. The coolers will be delivered and installed at various farming communities throughout Arkansas, with delivery expected between August 1, 2024, and December 1, 2024. The contract will be awarded to the responsive and responsible bidder with the lowest price meeting the requirements. The USDA has specified a minimum per unit cost requirement of $10,000 and a maximum of $100,000, with the expected range being $15,000 to $25,000. The coolers must meet or exceed DOE compliance requirements for the interior flooring, walls, and ceilings, and the contractor must provide a 3-year full coverage warranty on all coolers. Payments will be made within 30 days of delivery and invoice receipt.

The bid response packet outlines that prospective contractors must submit their responses through the ARBuy Portal and cannot use subcontractors that are Scrutinized Companies or boycott Israel, employ illegal immigrants, or boycott energy, fossil fuel, firearms, or ammunition industries. No set-aside designations or restrictions on the types of organizations that can respond are provided, and the incumbent vendor or current contractor is not specified. The total value of the contract is not explicitly stated, but the USDA's cost guidelines suggest a range of $480,000 to $4,800,000 for the 48 coolers.