County opens bids for $711,684 chiller replacement at administration building

Richland County officials opened bids May 14 for a chiller replacement at the county administration building, a capital project the county budgeted at $711,684.

Craig Christie, representing the project team, described the work as a 215-ton split-system installation with associated roof structural work. "It'll be 215 tons of cooling nominal ... we've had a walk through ... and approximately 220 calendar days for completion of the project once it's awarded," Christie said. He told commissioners no long-lead items were identified.

Bids were received from Stevens Construction and Standard Plumbing & Heating, among others; county staff said they will review the paperwork, perform due diligence and then consult with commissioners to award the contract. The meeting included a public reading of bid submissions and brief questions about bid bonds and line-item confirmation.

Commissioners recessed for additional agenda items and said they would return with a recommendation after staff review. No award was made on May 14.

The project team noted plans for crane placement and roof work when unit delivery occurs; the county estimated roughly seven months for construction and commissioning, subject to award and vendor lead times.