Variable Frequency Drive Repairs

The Pinellas County School District is soliciting bids for Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) Repairs through Invitation to Bid #24-CR-014, seeking to establish a rotating list of contractors to perform repairs on VFD systems across the district on an as-needed basis. The procurement will cover repair services for specific drive manufacturers including Graham, Toshiba, ABB, and Yaskawa, with contractors required to perform tasks such as replacing cooling fans, control boards, and interfaces on various drive models. Bidders must have factory-trained and certified repair technicians, have been in operation as the same legal entity for at least 60 months, and be located within 50 miles of the district's Central Administration Building. The contract period will run from November 12, 2024, to November 11, 2025, with options for two additional one-year renewals. Electronic bids are due by 3:00 pm on October 15, 2024, through the District's OpenGov Procurement portal, with contractors expected to respond to routine service calls within 32 hours and emergency calls within 2 hours. Pricing proposals must include hourly labor rates for straight time, overtime, and factory labor, along with percentage discounts on parts from specified manufacturers.

The solicitation does not explicitly mention set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Contractors will be required to maintain comprehensive insurance coverage, including general liability insurance with limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 general aggregate for projects under $500,000, and $5,000,000 for projects $500,000 and over. Automotive liability insurance must provide a $300,000 combined single limit, and workers' compensation insurance must meet statutory state requirements. The estimated contract value is approximately $250,000, excluding potential renewal options. Insurance providers must have a Best's Financial Strength Rating of "A-V" or better, and the School Board will be listed as an "Additional Insured" on all policies. In the event of a dispute, bidders may file a protest following a structured procedure that requires a written notice within 72 hours after bid tabulation and a formal written protest within 10 days, accompanied by a bond equal to 1% of the total estimated contract value. The district will award the contract to multiple lowest responsive and responsible bidders who will form a short list of contractors for VFD repair services.