Water Treatment Program

Augusta University (AU) is seeking a comprehensive water treatment program for its Health Sciences Campus through a competitive Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process. The procurement opportunity targets a one-year contract with potential for four annual renewals, focusing on providing a water treatment solution that produces clean heat transfer surfaces with minimal corrosion at a reasonable cost. The scope encompasses treatment services for steam boilers, open cooling systems, and closed heating and cooling water recirculating systems, with specific requirements for chemical product types and operating conditions. A mandatory pre-bid meeting and facility tour occurred on November 12, 2024, during which attending companies were permitted to collect water samples from campus water sources. The contract requires the treatment company to meet stringent qualifications, including documented experience, responsive service representatives, verifiable references, rapid response times, and comprehensive efficiency monitoring capabilities. Proposals are due by December 10, 2024, with the university seeking a vendor capable of providing chemical delivery, feed equipment, and related services at no additional cost. Evaluation criteria will likely emphasize technical capability, service responsiveness, and cost-effectiveness of the proposed water treatment approach.

The solicitation does not explicitly specify set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The current contract environment indicates that no annual water treatment contract has been in place for two years, though systems have been chemically treated throughout 2024. Augusta University currently maintains 15 double-walled chemical storage containers and may require additional storage tanks from the awarded contractor. The university mandates a "hands-off" chemical delivery approach, with university employees prohibited from handling treatment chemicals. Subcontractors are permitted for equipment installation, with the primary contractor retaining full responsibility and supervision on university property. While specific budget ranges are not disclosed, the comprehensive nature of the requirements suggests a significant annual investment in water treatment services. Interested vendors will be expected to provide detailed pricing for the total chemical treatment program, with options for deductive alternates that could potentially modify the scope of covered systems.