Yuma Proving Ground Vertical Wind Tunnel Chiller and Control System Upgrade

A SOURCES SOUGHT/REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY.

This is not a Solicitation Announcement, nor is it a Request for Proposal. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Los Angeles District, is conducting market research to identify prime contractors capable of the design-build replacement of the chiller and control system for the Vertical Wind Tunnel (VWT) at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona. This notice is for market research and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. The Government is not committing to awarding a contract based on this notice. Project Overview Project Title: Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) Vertical Wind Tunnel (VWT) Chiller and Control System Modernization Location: Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, Building 2590 Estimated Magnitude of Construction: Between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000 Anticipated

Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price, Design-Build (DB) Anticipated

Period of Performance: 730 days

Scope of Work: The anticipated

scope of work is for a complete design-build solution to replace an existing 450-ton chiller and control system. The new, modernized chiller system must provide reliable cooling performance under peak summer conditions and integrate with the VWT’s main flight control system. The anticipated scope includes, but is not limited to, the following: Develop a complete design for the new chilled water system, capable of delivering its required cooling capacity at a 120°F ambient design temperature. The design shall include a full evaluation of existing electrical, HVAC, and plumbing infrastructure to identify all necessary upgrades. Perform all site work, including potentially constructing a new concrete pad for the chillers, shading structures, retaining walls, utility tie-ins, grading, and pavement repair. Removing existing airflow obstructions (e.g., retrofitted metal enclosures) for existing chiller units. Procure and install two new water-cooled chillers (approximately 1,000 tons total). Install a new, direct digital control system and iFly Vertical Wind Tunnel flight control system (hardware and software). Ensure the new chiller control system seamlessly interfaces with the VWT's new main flight control system, accepting commands from and providing status to the main operator's console and the main base Energy Monitoring and Control System (EMCS) Upgrade electrical service transformer and switchboard for new chiller system. Assess replacement options for existing Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) for vertical wind tunnel fans. Procure and install new Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) as recommended by assessment. Provide full system testing, adjusting, and balancing (TAB), including robust operational checks at high-throttle to prove performance under peak load. Provide a comprehensive warranty and a plan for long-term operation and maintenance support to ensure maximization of system performance throughout the lifetime of the new VWT chillers and control system. The Government anticipates that this requirement will involve Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and may require compliance with Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2. Interested firms are requested to indicate their current CMMC status, including whether they have achieved CMMC Level 2 certification or their anticipated timeline for compliance. Intent to Specify Brand-Name Item: The Government intends to specify the following brand-name item in the resulting solicitation for this project: Item: Vertical Wind Tunnel Flight Control System (Hardware and Software) Manufacturer/Brand Name: iFLY Tunnel Systems (formerly SkyVenture) Justification: The iFly Vertical Wind Tunnel flight control system is the proprietary and existing operating system for the VWT at Yuma Proving Ground. Standardization on the iFly platform is essential for lifecycle management, operator safety, and mission readiness. The new chiller control system is a subordinate component that must seamlessly integrate with the main flight control system without modification. The use of a non-OEM system would introduce unacceptable operational risk and compromise the integrity of this mission-critical training asset. Interested parties may provide a response to this brand-name specification as part of their submission (see Submission