Title
RFP No. 2022-148 - City of Mesquite Cooling Tower Replacement IFB Set.
(Staff recommends award to Infinity Contractors International, Ltd., and to authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute a contract in the amount of $628,190.00 for replacement of three, individual modular Tower Tech cooling towers at the Convention Center Central Utility Plant located at 1818 Rodeo Drive.)
Body
Name of Department
Administration/Facilities Maintenance
Sum of Bid/Bid Amount
$628,190.00
On April 30, 2012, the City acquired the Central Utility Plant (CUP) that provides chilled air to both the Mesquite Convention Center and Mesquite Arena. The CUP consists of three 500-ton, centrifugal chillers that use compression to chill water. Each chiller system transfers heat collected from the water circulated throughout the facilities to a closed water loop inside the CUP and the water is cooled by three evaporation cooling towers.
The CUP was installed by Texas Utilities Integrated Solutions, Inc., in 1998, so the equipment is 25 years old. While the chillers have an average service life cycle of 30 to 40 years if properly maintained, many of the other components, such as motors, pumps, fan coil units, air handler units, sensors, and cooling towers have shorter service lives. Last year, one of the three fiberglass cooling tower water basins ruptured but was repaired. This past summer, a second cooling tower basin ruptured beyond repair and a mobile cooling tower unit was brought in to maintain operations during the summer.
City staff engaged Halff Associates, Inc. to prepare mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) design and structural specifications for a new cooling tower system, one that uses heavy-gauge galvanized steel towers rather than fiberglass which has a shorter service life. After the construction specifications and plans were completed by Halff, bid notices were broadcast through the Periscope Holdings electronic bidding system, posted on the City’s website and an Advertisement for Bid was published in the Daily Commercial Record newspaper. A total of seven responses were received and staff evaluated the bids based on price, experience and best value. Based on the scoring criteria, staff determined that Infinity Contractors International, Ltd. provides the best value and meets all specifications. Once awarded, Hall Associates will oversee the MEP construction phase of the cooling tower replacements, which is expected to take 3 to 6 months to complete.
Financial Implications
Funding for the replacement of the Convention Center cooling towers is programmed in the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Water and Sewer Fund operating budget.
Recommended/Desired Action
Staff recommends award to Infinity Contractors International, Ltd.
Attachment(s)
Proposal Evaluation Scoring
Drafter
Rob Duff
Head of Department
Ted Chinn