Utah FORGE makeup water pump rental

The University of Utah has issued an Invitation for Bids (IFB) for makeup water pump rental at the Utah FORGE (Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy) site located approximately 10 miles northeast of Milford, Utah. The procurement seeks two duplicate pumps with specific technical requirements, including a 3-shift duty cycle, fluid temperature range of 0-49C, 480 VAC power, and a flow rate of 19 l/s at 1.52 MPa. Vendors must provide comprehensive equipment specifications, including pump performance curves, dimensions, and weight, and demonstrate compliance with all mandatory requirements outlined in the solicitation. The rental period is six months, with a preferred delivery date of January 5, 2026. Key procurement dates include an IFB issue date of October 30, 2025, with inquiry questions due by November 5, 2025, and proposal submissions due by November 10, 2025. Evaluation criteria include responsiveness to mandatory requirements, with vendors unable to meet specified criteria being deemed non-responsive and excluded from further consideration.

The contract is sponsored by the US Department of Energy and may result in a 1-year agreement with four optional renewal terms, subject to annual performance review and University approval. While no specific set-aside designations are mentioned, vendors must submit a W-9, certificate of insurance, and complete a vendor information form detailing legal classification and small business status. The University reserves the right to conduct a financial responsibility analysis and may award multiple contracts to responsive and responsible vendors meeting minimum specifications. Pricing terms include a strict 15% markup limitation for third-party equipment, products, and services, with taxes explicitly excluded from this calculation. The contract award is contingent upon receiving Department of Energy funding, and pricing must remain firm for the initial term, with potential price increases allowed 60 days prior to the end of each agreement period, subject to University approval. While a specific award value is not explicitly stated, the specialized nature of the equipment and the six-month rental period suggest a focused and technically precise procurement opportunity.