Technical Coal Specifications

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is seeking coal for its Cogeneration Systems through an Invitation for Bid (IFB) 3000012485, targeting approximately 30,000 tons of coal annually. The procurement covers a three-year contract with potential two-year extensions, focusing on rail-delivered bottom dump car coal shipments. Vendors must provide detailed technical specifications including moisture, ash content, volatile matter, sulfur content, and heating value. Bid evaluation will be based on total delivery cost per million BTUs, considering F.O.B. mine price, freight charges, and coal's as-shipped BTU value. The bid opening is scheduled for October 16, 2025, at 1:00 PM EST, with written questions due by September 26, 2025, at 1:00 PM EST. The University reserves the right to award to a single or multiple vendors based on the most advantageous proposals. Coal quality will be critically assessed through sampling and testing, with potential price adjustments if heat content varies more than 2% from the guaranteed value.

The solicitation does not explicitly specify set-aside designations or restrictions on vendor types. Prices are required to be firm for the first two years, with potential market-based adjustments subject to University approval in subsequent years. While no incumbent vendors are mentioned, the procurement emphasizes environmental compliance and operational efficiency as key selection criteria. The contract value is estimated at covering 30,000 tons of coal annually, which suggests a potential total contract value ranging from $1.5 to $3 million over the full five-year period, depending on market coal prices. The University's Cogeneration Systems, located at 575 W. Cameron Ave in Chapel Hill, NC, will be the delivery point for the coal, and vendors must be capable of meeting the specific technical and logistical requirements outlined in the bid documents. Successful vendors will need to demonstrate robust rail transportation capabilities and the ability to consistently meet the specified coal quality parameters.