Refrigeration Maintenance/Restricted/Pro/2023 · UK public procurement notice

This is a modification of contract with JCW Energy Services, awarded on 18 March 2024.

The existing chillers setup at the OU facility comprises two Daikin units operating in a lead/lag configuration. This tandem operation ensures efficient load sharing and redundancy, with one chiller acting as the primary unit and the second engaging as demand increases. The chillers are integrated into a process cooling system that supports critical laboratory equipment, where uninterrupted and precise temperature control is essential.

Given the proprietary controls and communication protocols between the existing Daikin chillers, selecting Daikin for any replacement or expansion is crucial. This ensures seamless integration, maintains system reliability, and avoids compatibility issues that could compromise the performance of the labs.

As JCW are the incumbent maintenance contractor, they are familiar with the system, controls and pipework and the cause and effect of removing one unit and running the service only on the other unit. They are also best placed to ensure the installation of the new unit is compatible with the building system and they will be fully responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the unit during the initial warranty period, as well as outside the warranty period. (There will be no issues over who will be responsible for what if a third party contractor supplies and installs the new chiller).

The building houses laboratories that have high value equipment and long term research that can not be interrupted by changes in the temperature of the laboratory environment. By using JCW to replace the existing chiller and the second chiller in 6 to 12 months' time, will significantly reduce the risks to system failure and ongoing research.