Resolution accepting the bid of Rife Construction, Inc. in the amount of $670,515.00 for the Central Fire Station Chiller and Electrical Service Replacement. # BM-23-08

On March 14, 2023 two bids were received through the city bidding software, Ion Wave, as follows:

Central Fire Station was constructed in 1972, and a 100 ton chiller using R-22 refrigerant was installed to provide chilled water to the air handlers in the building.  The chiller is past its useful life and is rapidly deteriorating.  Recently, a leak was discovered that cannot be fixed and will lead to a complete failure of the system. In addition, R-22 refrigerant is now obsolete and major repairs or replacement require the system to be updated to handle newer refrigerants and additional safety and ventilation must be installed.

A 1000 amp electric service and main distribution panel were also installed in 1972 to provide power for the building.  This equipment is past its useful life and as part of a study performed to determine the best course of action for the City it was found that the service equipment is no longer supported by the manufacturer.  Any failure in the distribution side of the panel will leave portions of the building without power.  Without a new electrical service, a temporary generator will have to be rented should a failure occur.

This project includes the replacement of the chiller plant which consists of the evaporator, pumps, air cooled condenser and other associated chiller components, the relocation of the chiller from inside the building and on the roof of the building to the ground on the west side of the building, the installation of a glycol loop and heat exchanger to safely bring the chilled water into the building, and the replacement of the 1000 amp electric service and main distribution panel.

It is recommended that both the chiller and service are updated simultaneously to reduce the cost of separate projects that will require the removal of wall and ceiling finishes, removal and re-installation of equipment and disruption to the daily operations for fire station staff and EMA staff.

This project has been added to the CIP and identified as BM-23-08 with funding from ARPA Revenue Loss Funds.  The estimated cost of this project is $735,015.00 which includes $64,500.00 for professional services provided by HGM and Engineering Technologies Inc.

Approval of this resolution. This project includes the replacement of equipment that has failed and equipment that is no longer supported by the manufacturer to provide the continued uninterrupted operation of the Central Fire Station.