University of Florida - Replacement of the Rabon Plant Cooling Towers 4 and 5 - FY27-ITN-001 (2026)
University Of FloridaHigher Ed · Gainesville, FL- Due
- Aug 20, 2026
- Deadline passed
- Posted
- Jul 9, 2026
- Primary contact
- Mike Loudis
- (352) 294-1154
The 30-second brief
The University of Florida is soliciting competitive bids via Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) for the disposal and replacement of two 2-cell Marley cooling towers (cooling towers 4 and 5) at the Lacy C. Rabon Chilled Water Plant located at 1858 Mowry Rd, Building 0473, Gainesville, FL 32608. The scope includes replacing the cooling tower structure using the existing basin footprint of approximately 40ft x 50ft, integrating with existing piping and condenser water pumps, and installing 480V 60HP fan motors, vibration switches, motor space heaters, pole lights, mechanical piping, fill, and drift eliminators. The project has a strict timeline to commence around November 1, 2026, and be fully operational no later than April 1, 2027, with an estimated budget of $950,000.00. A mandatory pre-bid site visit is scheduled for July 17, 2026, at 9:30 AM EDT, and submissions closed on August 20, 2026, at 3:00 PM EDT via UF's online electronic sourcing portal.
2 Cell Marley Cooling Towers 4 and 5, 2 - 480V 60HP fan motors and associated fans, 2 - 120V vibration switches, 2 - 120V motor space heaters, 4 - pole lights on top of tower
Technical proposal including ability to complete work no later than April 1, 2027, Pricing Proposal, Evidence of satisfactory performance on five similar projects within the past five years, References, Professional services offered and support options, Agreement with UF standard Terms & Conditions and technical specifications, Material and workmanship warranty
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Summary
The University of Florida is soliciting competitive bids via Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) for the disposal and replacement of two 2-cell Marley cooling towers (cooling towers 4 and 5) at the Lacy C. Rabon Chilled Water Plant located at 1858 Mowry Rd, Building 0473, Gainesville, FL 32608.
The scope includes replacing the cooling tower structure using the existing basin footprint of approximately 40ft x 50ft, integrating with existing piping and condenser water pumps, and installing 480V 60HP fan motors, vibration switches, motor space heaters, pole lights, mechanical piping, fill, and drift eliminators. The project has a strict timeline to commence around November 1, 2026, and be fully operational no later than April 1, 2027, with an estimated budget of $950,000.00. A mandatory pre-bid site visit is scheduled for July 17, 2026, at 9:30 AM EDT, and submissions closed on August 20, 2026, at 3:00 PM EDT via UF's online electronic sourcing portal.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Technical proposal including ability to complete work no later than April 1, 2027, Pricing Proposal, Evidence of satisfactory performance on five similar projects within the past five years, References, Professional services offered and support options, Agreement with UF standard Terms & Conditions and technical specifications, Material and workmanship warranty
REQUIRED DELIVERABLES
2 Cell Marley Cooling Towers 4 and 5, 2 - 480V 60HP fan motors and associated fans, 2 - 120V vibration switches, 2 - 120V motor space heaters, 4 - pole lights on top of tower
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS
8- Certification of Proposal
- List of subcontractors
- Trade references
- Bank references
- Surety references
- Proof of corporate status
- Proof of liability insurance coverage
- Safety information and EMR rating
- Scope location
- Gainesville, FL
- Reported agency
- University of Florida
Questions about this RFP
How do I respond to this RFP from University Of Florida?
Review the full solicitation document for submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and deadlines. The submission deadline is August 20, 2026. The solicitation specifies required deliverables that must be addressed in your response. Be sure to include all required attachments as outlined in the solicitation. For questions, contact Mike Loudis.
Can small businesses or minority-owned firms bid on this RFP?
Most government agencies, including University Of Florida in FL, encourage participation from small businesses, minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises (MBE/WBE/DBE). Check the full solicitation for any small business participation goals.
What happens after the RFP submission deadline?
After the deadline, the issuing agency reviews all submissions against the stated evaluation criteria. This typically includes a compliance check, technical evaluation, cost analysis, and may involve oral presentations with shortlisted vendors.
Can I ask questions about this solicitation before submitting?
Yes, most solicitations allow vendors to submit questions during a designated period. The primary contact is Mike Loudis at (352) 294-1154. Questions and answers are typically shared with all prospective bidders.
What are the key deliverables?
The solicitation specifies the following deliverables: 2 Cell Marley Cooling Towers 4 and 5, 2 - 480V 60HP fan motors and associated fans, 2 - 120V vibration switches, 2 - 120V motor space heaters, 4 - pole lights on top of tower. Proposals should clearly address how each deliverable will be met.
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What are the evaluation criteria for this solicitation?
This solicitation includes specific evaluation criteria that will be used to score proposals. The criteria include: "Technical proposal including ability to complete work no later than April 1, 2027, Pricing Proposal, Evidence of satisfactory performance on five similar projects within the past five years, Reference..." Vendors should carefully align their proposals with each criterion to maximize their score.
Where can I find more RFPs from University Of Florida?
All active and historical solicitations from University Of Florida are tracked and searchable. As a higher ed agency, University Of Florida regularly publishes solicitations. Visit the agency profile to see current open bids, past contracts, vendor relationships, and decision-maker contacts.
What documents are required to bid on this RFP?
Requirements vary by solicitation, but common documents include a technical proposal, cost/price proposal, proof of insurance, relevant certifications, past performance references, and any forms specified in the solicitation. This solicitation specifically requires the following attachments: Certification of Proposal, list of subcontractors, trade references, bank references, surety references, proof of corporate status, proof of liability insurance coverage, safety information and EMR ra. Review the full document from University Of Florida for the complete list.
What is the scope of this project?
This solicitation defines a specific project scope. The scope covers the following locations: Gainesville, FL. Review the full solicitation for detailed scope requirements.