RFP 3202600029 Trinity Cooling Tower and Chiller Replacement

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has issued Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 3202600029 for the removal and replacement of cooling towers, chillers, and associated piping at the TWC Trinity Building located at 1117 Trinity Street in Austin, Texas. The project encompasses comprehensive mechanical systems work, including installing new water-cooled rotary-screw chillers, open-circuit induced-draft cooling towers, hydronic piping, pumps, valves, controls, and related mechanical and electrical equipment. Respondents must have been in business for a minimum of three years within the past decade, with specific experience in commercial HVAC installation, particularly cooling tower and chiller replacements. The evaluation criteria include cost (40 points), pre-proposal conference attendance (15 points), past project performance references (30 points), and project milestone schedule (15 points), with additional pass/fail requirements including financial questionnaire, HUB subcontracting plan, execution of response, written qualifications, and bonding capacity. Key dates include a deadline for written questions on December 16, 2025, at 5:00 PM Central Time, with proposals due January 13, 2026, at 10:00 AM Central Time. An optional pre-proposal conference is scheduled for December 9, 2025, at 9:30 AM at the Trinity Street location, with an anticipated notice of intent to award on February 1, 2025.

The procurement includes a mandatory Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Subcontracting Plan with a TWC goal of 32.9 percent for special trade construction contracts. Respondents must demonstrate good faith efforts to contract with HUB vendors, including written notification to at least three Texas-certified HUB vendors and two trade organizations at least seven working days before bid submission. The contract requires comprehensive warranties, including a five-year warranty for chillers and cooling towers, and mandates 16 hours of operator training and quarterly maintenance inspections. Contractors must comply with prevailing wage rates established for Travis County, with hourly rates varying by trade classification and subject to Davis-Bacon Act requirements. While a specific total contract value is not explicitly stated, the RFP includes an Owners Allowance of $250,000.00 and specifies a contract term of 180 calendar days from the Notice to Proceed to Substantial Completion, with an additional 90 days for closing. The project will be executed in an occupied building, requiring careful coordination and implementation of dust control and temporary partitions to minimize disruption to building operations.