Title
Update on GRU’s Proposal Process for UF’s Invitation to Negotiate (B)
Explanation
Background
On September 9, 2021, GRU’s vision to serve as University of Florida’s on-campus energy supplier was drawn into clearer focus when UF issued an Invitation to Negotiate (“ITN”) for a Central Energy Plant Project. The ITN is divided into two phases, the first being a request for Statements of Qualifications (“SOQ”) for the purpose of shortlisting respondents. Those respondents who are shortlisted will be invited to submit a proposal in response to the subsequently issued ITN Phase II.
This public procurement process gives GRU an excellent opportunity to showcase its industry experience in the design, financing, construction, operation, and maintenance of resilient and highly efficient facilities such as GRU’s South Energy Center, which currently serves the UF Health South Campus, south of Archer Rd.
The Central Energy Plant project will provide a modern, efficient, and resilient source of electricity, chilled water and steam to meet the current and future campus needs. The University has prescribed, at a high level, the technology, specifications, and other requirements and will provide more detailed schematic plans and specifications for the facility to shortlisted firms. The facility will employ Combined Heat and Power (CHP) to meet the university’s power and steam requirements. The CHP plant will provide resiliency, very high efficiency, and the lowest carbon footprint practicable for the application.
Further information on the ITN may be found at the following address:
The impetus for UF to engage in this public procurement process began in 2017 when UF created a process to replace the steam generation capacity that would disappear with the expiration of UF’s contract with the current on-campus cogeneration facility. UF also desired to replace their adjace...
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