Item 11- RCA: Condenser Water Pumps Replacement — original pdf
Backup
Posting Language ..Title Authorize a contract to replace condenser water pumps for Austin Energy with Flintco, LLC, in an amount not to exceed $5,028,323. Funding: $5,028,323 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Energy. ..Body Lead Department Austin Financial Services. Client Department(s) Austin Energy. Fiscal Note Funding in the amount of $5,028,323 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Energy. Procurement Language: Austin Financial Services issued a Request for Proposals solicitation RFP 1100 MMH3033 for these goods and services. The solicitation was published on October 27, 2025, and closed on December 18, 2025. The recommended contractor submitted the only responsive offer. A complete solicitation package, including a log of the offer received, is available for viewing on the City’s website. This information can currently be found at https://financeonline.austintexas.gov/afo/account_services/solicitation/solicitation_details.cfm?sid=142876 . MBE/WBE: This solicitation was reviewed for subcontracting opportunities in accordance with City Code Chapter 2-9B (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program). For the goods and services required for this solicitation, there were no subcontracting opportunities; therefore, no subcontracting goals were established. For More Information: Direct questions regarding this Recommendation for Council Action to the Austin Financial Services - Central Procurement at FSDCentralProcurementRCAs@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2500. Respondents to the solicitation and their Agents should direct all questions to the Authorized Contact Person identified in the solicitation. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: May 11, 2026 - To be reviewed by the Electric Utility Commission. Additional Backup Information: This contract is to replace condenser water pumps at District Cooling Plant No. 2, a high-capacity facility in Austin Energy’s downtown district cooling system that supplies reliable chilled water services to numerous downtown buildings and businesses. The cooling plant currently uses centrifugal water and glycol chillers paired with a thermal storage ice tank. However, the existing condenser water pumps are degraded and approaching the end of their 20-year service life. As a result, they can no longer deliver the flow needed to operate the chillers at full capacity. The proposed condenser water pump replacement will significantly improve system performance by increasing condenser water flow across three water chillers and one large ice chiller. This project is the final phase of a broader, multi-year upgrade to the plant, which included a cooling tower fill replacement in 2024 and ongoing electrical and controls upgrades scheduled for completion prior to summer 2026. Item 11Upon completion, the project is expected to increase the plant’s cooling capacity by approximately 2,000 tons and generate an estimated $2 million in additional annual revenue. This investment will enhance system reliability, improve operational efficiency, and ensure the plant can meet growing demand, including Austin Energy’s contractual obligation to provide chilled water service to the new Austin Convention Center, which is expected to begin commissioning in 2028. An evaluation team with expertise in this area evaluated the offers and scored Flintco, LLC as the best to provide these services based on project concept and strategy, offeror experience and project management structure & qualifications, price, small business preference and local business presence. If this contract is not approved, the ageing pumps may fail, leading to costly emergency repairs, service interruptions for downtown customers, and reduced system reliability.