Old Hickory HVAC Replacement

The Government is sole-sourcing the replacement of two 15-ton water source heat pump units at the Old Hickory Powerhouse in Hendersonville, Tennessee, under the solicitation number W912P526PA032, due to an unusual and compelling urgency caused by a seven-month delay and termination of the prior contract. The existing HVAC system failure has exposed personnel to extreme heat conditions, creating immediate health and safety risks that cannot be mitigated through a full and open competition, as required by standard procurement procedures. The Contracting Officer has determined that delaying the procurement to allow for competitive bidding would place employee well-being at unacceptable risk, justifying the use of FAR 6.302-2 to award the contract to a registered small business that has routinely maintained the same HVAC equipment on-site. This vendor possesses unique familiarity with the existing systems and can ensure immediate installation upon delivery, eliminating any further downtime. The procurement is structured as a firm-fixed-price contract under the simplified acquisition threshold, with no option clauses or competitive evaluation factors, and is supported by a public justification citing operational urgency, only one responsible source, and public interest. The equipment must meet strict technical and safety standards, including UL 60335-2-40 for electrical safety and EM 385-1-1 for Army Corps of Engineers workplace safety, with a requirement for low-global-warming-potential A2L refrigerants and integrated 30kW auxiliary electric heating. All work is turn-key, encompassing removal of outdated units, delivery, installation, and ancillary component integration at the powerhouse site in Hendersonville, Tennessee. No pricing details are publicly disclosed, though the acquisition is confirmed to be within the simplified acquisition threshold. The Contracting Officer, Bridget Passatore of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District, retains responsibility for inspection and acceptance, which will occur on-site following installation. Funding is drawn from Operations & Maintenance, Army, and FY26 Civil Works appropriations. While the contractor is identified as a registered small business, no specific socioeconomic classification beyond small business status is provided, and while a subcontracting plan may be required, it is not referenced. No packaging, marking, or invoicing specifications are detailed, and no Contracting Officer’s Representative or technical representative is named. The award is contingent upon the contractor’s compliance with all applicable safety standards and immediate performance timeline, with no flexibility for delays.