Cooling Towers

Appalachian State University in North Carolina has issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB55-072026) for the procurement of cooling towers, with a response deadline of August 3, 2026. The solicitation seeks fully functional cooling towers rated at 840 GPM, 460V/60Hz/3Ph with a basin heater package, to be delivered FOB destination to any location within North Carolina. All equipment must be newly manufactured and comply with OSHA, ASME, UL, NEMA, and AGA standards, as well as applicable federal and state environmental regulations. The contract follows a North Carolina state procurement format and does not incorporate standard FAR clauses; instead, it relies on the North Carolina General Terms and Conditions and a series of mandatory attachments including pricing, HUB vendor information, financial certification, worker location details, and COVID-19 vaccination acknowledgment. The award will be made to the responsive bidder offering the lowest price that meets all technical specifications, adhering primarily to a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable approach, though the State reserves the right to consider overall value. Vendors must submit complete proposals electronically via the NC eProcurement portal in PDF or XLS format, including required forms such as the HUB Supplemental Vendor Information to support the state's 10% HUB utilization goal, the Certification of Financial Condition, and the OMB Standard Form LLL for lobbying disclosure. Payment is contingent upon state inspection and acceptance at the installation site, and the contract allows for optional renewals. No explicit contract type is stated, but the structure, pricing requirements, and fixed delivery terms strongly imply a Firm-Fixed-Price arrangement. The vendor must designate a Contract Manager and Customer Service Point of Contact, submit periodic status reports, and ensure all shipments are properly labeled with the purchase order number and accompanied by a complete packing list. The State has not disclosed payment office details, accounting codes, or a designated Contracting Officer’s Representative. All bids must be submitted without price modifications after the deadline, and alternate bids must be clearly labeled and submitted separately as complete proposals.