Purchase and Delivery of LOX and Maintenance of Liquid Oxygen System

Seminole County, Florida is seeking a term contract for the purchase and delivery of Liquid Oxygen (LOX) and maintenance of LOX systems at three regional water plants through Invitation for Bid (IFB-604723). The procurement involves delivering approximately 13,500,000 standard cubic feet of liquid oxygen every two weeks, distributed across Southeast Regional Water Plant in Winter Park (7,300,000 scf), Northwest Regional Water Plant in Sanford (3,000,000 scf), and Northeast Regional Water Plant in Lake Mary (3,200,000 scf). The liquid oxygen must meet stringent quality specifications, including total oxygen concentration greater than 99.5% by weight, dew point temperature below -80F, and strict limits on various chemical impurities. The selected contractor will be responsible for emergency response, comprehensive maintenance, and preventative inspections of liquid oxygen tanks, vaporizers, and associated piping, with requirements to maintain a 24-hour emergency telephone number, respond within 30 minutes, and arrive on-site within four hours of notification. The bid was released on January 24, 2024, with a question submission deadline of February 12, 2024, and a final response deadline of February 28, 2024, at 2:00 pm. Bids must be submitted electronically through the county's e-Procurement Portal, with the contract structured as a three-year term with options for two additional one-year renewals.

The contract does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Contractors must comply with comprehensive requirements, including registering with the E-Verify system, maintaining specific insurance policies (Workers' Compensation, Commercial General Liability, Professional Liability, and Business Auto Policy), and conducting thorough background checks for delivery drivers. While no incumbent vendor is identified, the contract includes provisions for FEMA requirements, suggesting potential federal funding or disaster relief considerations. The pricing structure allows for unit costs of liquid oxygen, maintenance services, and labor rates for repairs during regular and non-regular business hours, with bidders required to provide a not-to-exceed percentage markup on parts. The estimated annual usage is 360,300,000 standard cubic feet of liquid oxygen, indicating a substantial procurement opportunity. The contract will be executed on a fixed-fee basis with monthly payments based on the percentage of services completed, and includes a probationary first three months during which Seminole County may terminate the agreement with or without cause.