UWL-2206-RFB Environmental Chamber

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL) is conducting a Request for Bid (RFB) for the procurement and installation of a specialized environmental chamber for its Human Performance laboratory. The chamber must be approximately 10 feet long by 10 feet wide, with specific technical requirements including 26-gauge coated steel panels with polyurethane-injected cores, an aluminum floor, two viewing windows, a full-opening door, stainless steel interior and exterior components, and advanced climate control capabilities. The environmental chamber must maintain temperatures between 32 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit and include a programmable touchscreen controller, humidifier, dehumidifier, and temperature and humidity sensors. Bidders must demonstrate five years of experience in providing and installing walk-in environmental chambers, and the procurement timeline requires written questions by October 24, 2022, with optional site visits conducted October 25-28, 2022. Formal bids are due November 11, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. Central Standard Time, with a required delivery no later than August 1, 2023. The award will be made to the lowest extended net total bid deemed most advantageous to the University.

The University encourages participation from minority, woman-owned, and disabled veteran-owned businesses, potentially offering up to a 5 percent preference for certified MBE or DVB firms submitting qualified bids. Contractors must provide a minimum one-year warranty on items and parts, with extended warranties of five years on the compressor and 15 years on the chamber itself. Insurance requirements include maintaining commercial general liability and automobile liability coverage of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence, with the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System named as an additional insured. Successful bidders must conduct personnel training at no cost and complete system commissioning within seven days of installation. All contractor personnel will be subject to criminal background checks before service commencement. Payment terms are net 30 days following acceptance of the chamber and verification of meeting all specified performance requirements. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the comprehensive technical specifications and warranty requirements suggest a significant investment in a high-quality research-grade environmental testing chamber.