How to bid on chiller and pump replacement for FCC Oakdale, LA (Bureau of Prisons)

What the agency is buying

The Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) is looking for businesses to supply new air-cooled chillers and centrifugal pumps for the Federal Correctional Complex (FCC) in Oakdale, Louisiana. This is a market research notice, not a request for bids yet, but it's an opportunity to show the government your company can meet their needs.

Specifically, the FBOP needs nine Trane Sintesis Air-Cooled Chillers (Model RTAF115E or equivalent) and two Trane CGAM Air-Cooled Scroll Chillers (or equivalent). They also need ten Bell & Gossett Series 1510 pumps (or equivalent) with 8-inch impellers, 150 GPM, 100 ft head, 5 HP, and specific discharge/suction sizes, plus nine more similar pumps with slightly different discharge/suction sizes. All equipment must be new and meet federal, state, and local codes. The vendor will also need to provide manufacturer-certified start-up services for all chillers after installation by FCC Oakdale staff.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

Responses to this market research notice are due by June 29, 2026. This is a 'sources sought' notice, meaning the government is gathering information from potential suppliers. Your response helps them understand the market and plan for a future solicitation. There is no contract awarded from this notice, but your input could influence how a future contract is structured.

The government will not notify you of the results of this market research, and there will be no reimbursement for costs incurred in responding. However, a strong response can position your company for future opportunities related to this project.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for manufacturers or distributors of commercial air-conditioning and heating equipment, specifically chillers and pumps. The relevant NAICS code is 333415, Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial Refrigeration Manufacturing, with a small business size standard of 1,350 employees.

If you are a small business non-manufacturer, you must confirm you are primarily engaged in retail or wholesale, normally sell this type of equipment, intend to take ownership, and identify your intended manufacturer. You also need to confirm awareness of the Nonmanufacturer Rule (clause 52.219-33).

How to respond

To respond, you need to provide specific information on your company letterhead. This includes your company name, address, point of contact, phone, email, UEI, and CAGE code. You must also submit a capability statement detailing your ability to supply equipment that meets all the specified characteristics, estimated delivery timeframes, and examples of past performance for similar HVAC equipment supply.

Include any applicable GSA/FSS/GWAC contract numbers, your current number of employees, business size/status for NAICS 333415, and any applicable socio-economic statuses. If you claim socio-economic status, state if it's certified and active in the SBA’s Small Business Search. All responses should be emailed to [email protected] by the deadline.

Tips for preparing a competitive response

Carefully review the salient characteristics for both the chillers and pumps. Ensure your capability statement clearly demonstrates how your proposed equipment meets or exceeds each requirement, including the specific models (Trane Sintesis RTAF115E, Trane CGAM, Bell & Gossett Series 1510) or their exact equivalents. Highlight your experience with manufacturer-certified start-up services.

Provide concrete examples of past performance that are similar in scope and scale to this requirement. Focus on projects where you supplied comparable HVAC equipment to government agencies or large institutional clients. Clearly state the project name, client, dates, and a brief description of the equipment provided. Pay close attention to the delivery requirements, including the 270-day timeframe after contract award, and confirm your ability to meet this.

For small businesses, ensure all your socio-economic information is accurate and verifiable in the SBA’s Small Business Search. If you are a non-manufacturer, explicitly address all the required confirmations regarding your business type, ownership intent, and awareness of the Nonmanufacturer Rule. A well-organized and thorough response will help the government understand your capabilities.