Utah Communications Authority RFP — Windy Ridge • UCA-RFP-2026-WR-INSP

UTAH COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY

Request for Proposals (RFP) Communications Site Power, Grounding, Surge, and Lightning Protection Inspection and Analysis (Consulting)

Office of issue: Utah Communications Authority, 5215 Wiley Post Way #550, Salt Lake City, Utah 84116.

1. Introduction and Purpose The Utah Communications Authority (“UCA”) is requesting proposals from qualified firms to perform an electrical power, grounding and bonding, transient-overvoltage, and lightning-protection inspection and analysis of the UCA communications site identified above, and to deliver a professional findings-and-recommendations report for the site.

UCA owns and maintains statewide public-safety communications infrastructure. Many sites are remote, high-elevation facilities that host UCA equipment together with tenant equipment (for example, federal, local-government, or broadcast tenants). The purpose of this engagement is to evaluate the site’s power, grounding, surge-protection, and lightning-protection systems against applicable codes and standards — including the L3 Harris Grounding Specifications Manual T4618 Rev F, which UCA applies as its governing grounding standard at its sites — to identify deficiencies and items of concern, and to provide prioritized, actionable corrective recommendations UCA can use to plan and procure remediation.

In the past the Windy Ridge site has been struck by lighting multiple times which has caused damage to equipment on the inside of the building. UCA would like to know what could be done to prevent as many lighting strikes and limit the damage to the equipment.

Site power configuration. Offerors should note that Windy Ridge is an off-grid site with no commercial utility electrical service. The site is powered by a solar photovoltaic (PV) system with battery storage, supported by a backup generator. There is no utility service entrance, revenue meter, or utility-fed switchgear at the site. References in this RFP to AC power distribution apply only to the extent AC distribution (for example, generator or inverter output and associated panels) is present at the site.

2. Procurement Method and Basis of Award This procurement is conducted as a Request for Proposals (competitive sealed proposals) under Utah Code Section 63G-6a-707 and the corresponding provisions of Utah Administrative Code R33-107. Award will be made on a best-value basis to the responsible and responsive Offeror whose proposal receives the highest total evaluated score under the criteria in Section 7, rather than on lowest price alone.

Basis of award. UCA will evaluate proposals against the weighted technical and cost criteria set out in Section 7 and award to the Offeror responsible whose proposal achieves the highest total evaluated score, subject to the minimum technical threshold stated in Section 7. “Responsible” means the Offeror is determined by UCA to be qualified — properly licensed and insured, with the experience, capacity, and integrity to perform the analysis. “Responsive” means the proposal conforms to the mandatory minimum requirements and instructions of this solicitation.

Integrated cost evaluation. As permitted by Utah Code § 63G-6a-707(7)(b) and described in Section 7 and the waiver notice below, cost is evaluated concurrently with the technical proposal and scored as a weighted component of the overall evaluation.

Single award. The engagement will be awarded to a single firm.

Records and confidentiality. Proposals and evaluation records are governmental records. Competing Offerors’ proposal contents will not be disclosed during the evaluation; after the procurement is complete, records become subject to the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA), Utah Code § 63G-2-101 et seq., except for material properly protected under Section 9 and Attachment A.

3. Communications and Question-and-Answer Period All questions regarding this solicitation must be directed in writing to the Procurement Contact identified on the cover page by 7/13/2026 no later than 2pm MT. Offerors shall not contact any other UCA personnel regarding this solicitation. UCA will respond to questions by written addendum posted to Bonfire and the UCA website; only written addenda are binding. Offerors are responsible for monitoring the posting locations for addenda prior to the proposal deadline.

4. Scope of Work — Inspection and Analysis

4.1 General Approach

The Offeror shall conduct an on-site inspection of the listed site and evaluate the site’s power, grounding/bonding, transient-overvoltage, and lightning-protection systems for compliance with applicable codes and standards and for conformance with accepted communications-site installation practices. The inspection shall verify proper wiring of switchgear, survey the grounding scheme, take quantitative electrical and earth-resistance measurements, inspect surge- and lightning-protection schemes, and photographically document conditions, clearly flagging items of concern.

Applicable standards include, without limitation: the National Electrical Code (NEC) / NFPA 70; NFPA 780 (Lightning Protection Systems); the L3 Harris Grounding Specifications Manual T4618 Rev F; IEEE Standard 519 (harmonic distortion limits); and applicable equipment-manufacturer requirements. UCA applies T4618 Rev F as its governing grounding and bonding standard; the Offeror shall evaluate site grounding against that manual.

Methodology and measurements. Using calibrated instruments (for example, a power-line / power-quality analyzer, an earth-ground tester, a clamp-on ground-resistance ohmmeter, and an AC/DC clamp-on ammeter, or equivalent), the Offeror shall measure and record, at minimum:

1. AC voltages (phase-neutral and phase-phase), voltage total harmonic distortion (THD) against the IEEE 519 limit, neutral-ground voltage, phase and neutral currents, and current THD at each point of AC distribution present at the site (for example, the generator or inverter output and any AC distribution panels). Windy Ridge has no utility service entrance; if no AC distribution is present, the Offeror shall document that condition in the report.

1. Equipment-grounding-conductor presence, sizing, continuity, and any objectionable current.

1. DC distribution output voltage, polarity/grounding configuration, and common-mode noise.

1. Earth-ground impedance by the three-point (62%) fall-of-potential method, and bonding impedance by clamp-on ohmmeter, for towers, ground bars, and the building grounding electrode system.

4.2 Power (AC and DC)

Windy Ridge is an off-grid, solar-powered site with no commercial utility service. Evaluate the complete site power system, including: the solar photovoltaic (PV) array, source-circuit combiners, and charge controllers; the battery bank and battery chargers; the DC power distribution — including grounding polarity/configuration, equipment grounding, conductor sizing and identification, overcurrent protection, and noise; the backup generator and any associated transfer or changeover equipment; and, to the extent present at the site, any inverter-supplied AC distribution, panels, UPS or constant-voltage transformers, and tenant panels — including neutral-to-ground bonding, equipment grounding conductors and raceways, conductor sizing and identification, and power-quality measurements. Scope items that presume utility-fed AC service (for example, a utility service entrance, revenue meter, or utility-fed automatic transfer switch) are not applicable at this site.

4.3 Grounding and Bonding

Evaluate the site grounding and bonding system against the L3 Harris Grounding Specifications Manual T4618 Rev F, including: the presence and adequacy of buried ground rings and grounding electrodes; establishment of a single-point ground / master ground bar; equipment-room ground bars and connector quality (single- vs. double-bolt); tower grounding, transmission-line grounding, and RF ground bars; bonding of structures, culverts, cable trays, and racks; and any ground-loop or stray AC/DC currents. Report earth-resistance and bonding-impedance values against accepted touch-safety and logic-reference targets.

Reference example. Attachment I (Site Grounding Example) is provided as an illustrative example of the grounding configuration UCA expects at its sites — including the radial/ground-ring scheme, tower and equipment grounding, and master bus-bar tie-in. It is provided for reference only; the governing requirement is conformance with L3 Harris T4618 Rev F. UCA will provide an electronic copy of the T4618 Rev F manual on request.

4.4 Transient Overvoltage Protection

Evaluate surge-protective devices (SPDs) on the DC distribution — including the PV array source/output circuits, charge controllers, and battery plant — on any AC distribution present (for example, generator or inverter output circuits), and on the RF coaxial transmission lines, for presence, correct application and rating, proper grounding/mounting, and overcurrent protection. Identify missing, misapplied, or improperly grounded SPDs. Given the site's history of lightning-related equipment damage, the Offeror shall specifically assess the adequacy of surge protection for the solar power system and DC-powered equipment.

4.5 Lightning Protection System

Evaluate the lightning protection system (air terminals, down conductors, and bonding to the grounding electrode system) for conformance with NFPA 780, including down-conductor count, routing, bend radius, attachment, and bonding.

4.6 Required Deliverable (Report)

For the site, the Offeror shall deliver a professional written report containing, at minimum:

1. An introduction stating the site, dates, scope, participating personnel, and test equipment used, and explaining the convention used to flag items of concern.

1. For each system (Power, Grounding, Transient Overvoltage Protection, Lightning Protection): the evaluation criteria, the findings (with measurements, photographs, and clearly marked items of concern), and the applicable code/standard references, including T4618 Rev F for grounding.

1. A summary of all problems noted; a prioritized list of corrective recommendations specific enough to support remediation procurement (including, where applicable, recommended conductor sizes and materials); and a conductor-identification reference.

1. Supporting data (representative waveforms and measurement tables) and a list of acronyms.

Format and licensure. The analysis shall be performed under the responsible charge of a Utah-licensed Professional Engineer (PE), and engineering opinions and recommendations shall be stamped/sealed by a Utah PE where professional engineering judgment is exercised. Deliverables shall be provided as an accessible electronic document, together with the native editable source file and the full photograph set.

4.7 Site Access and Coordination

The site may be remote, high-elevation, and access-restricted, with public-safety equipment in continuous operation. The Offeror shall coordinate all visits and any de-energization with UCA in advance, follow UCA site-access and safety requirements, and minimize disruption to operations. UCA will provide reasonable site access and available record drawings; the Offeror should not assume drawings exist. Windy Ridge — Iron County, UT (37.7120, -112.9649).

5. Mandatory Minimum Requirements (Pass/Fail) Each proposal will first be screened against the following mandatory minimum requirements. A proposal that fails any item may be deemed non-responsive and removed from further evaluation:

1. The Offeror identifies a Utah-licensed Professional Engineer who will be in responsible charge of the analysis (name and PE license number).

1. The Offeror confirms its ability to meet UCA’s insurance requirements (Section 9), including professional liability, prior to award.

1. The Offeror submits a complete proposal including all required submittals in Section 6 and a completed Cost Proposal (Attachment 1).

1. The Offeror acknowledges and accepts the UCA Standard Terms and Conditions (Attachment A).

6. Offeror Qualifications and Required Submittals

6.1 Required with Every Proposal

1. Completed Cost Proposal / Response Form (Attachment 1), with the total all-in fixed price for the site.

1. Licensing / professional credentials. Identification of the Utah-licensed PE in responsible charge (name and license number) and the firm’s relevant credentials.

1. Insurance. Confirmation of ability to meet UCA’s insurance requirements (Section 9), including professional liability, prior to award.

1. Acceptance of Terms. Written acknowledgment of the UCA Standard Terms and Conditions for Goods and Services (Attachment A), incorporated by reference.

1. Proposed approach and schedule. A description of the inspection approach, instruments to be used, the methodology for evaluating grounding against T4618 Rev F, and the timeline to deliver the site report after notice to proceed.

6.2 Work History on Similar Projects

Provide a list of at least three (3) comparable projects — ideally power, grounding/bonding, surge, and/or lightning-protection assessments at communications or similar mission-critical sites — completed within the past five (5) years. For each, complete the table in Attachment 2 (owner/client, location, year completed, scope summary, approximate fee, and a reference name, phone, and email).

6.3 Example of Work

Provide one (1) representative example of a similar completed analysis in greater detail — for example, a redacted prior inspection report or report excerpt — demonstrating the firm’s measurement methodology, use of applicable standards (NEC, NFPA 780, IEEE 519, and grounding standards such as T4618 Rev F), and the quality and clarity of its findings and recommendations.

7. Technical Criteria (Including Cost)

7.1 Statutory Authority for Integrated Cost Evaluation

Utah Code § 63G-6a-707(7)(a) ordinarily prohibits an evaluation committee member from accessing cost information until after the committee submits its technical recommendation. Subsection (7)(b) permits a procurement official to waive that prohibition by signing a written statement explaining why the waiver is in the best interests of the procurement unit. For this procurement, the UCA Procurement Official has executed such a waiver (see the notice below), so cost is evaluated concurrently with the technical proposal and scored as a weighted component.

Notice of Cost Integration Waiver — Utah Code § 63G-6a-707(7)(b)

Pursuant to Utah Code § 63G-6a-707(7)(b), the UCA Procurement Official has executed a written waiver of the cost-separation prohibition in Subsection (7)(a). The waiver is on file with the UCA Procurement Unit.

Reason for Waiver: The Windy Ridge site is a remote, high-elevation, access-restricted communications facility. Travel, mobilization, fuel, lodging, per diem, and equipment-staging costs are a material and highly variable component of each proposal, and field logistics directly affect whether a proposed inspection approach and schedule are feasible. Evaluating cost separately from the technical proposal would prevent the evaluation committee from assessing whether an Offeror’s proposed approach — including schedule realism, mobilization strategy, and site-access logistics — is operationally feasible given the remote-site burden. Integration of cost into the overall evaluation is therefore in the best interests of UCA and the public-safety mission it serves.

Accordingly, cost proposals will be reviewed by the evaluation committee concurrently with the technical proposal, Offerors must include cost information as specified in Attachment 1, and cost will be scored as a weighted component as described below.

7.2 Scoring Matrix

Proposals meeting all Mandatory Minimum Requirements will be evaluated against the following integrated criteria, which include both technical and cost components:

Total technical points: 500. Total cost points: 500. To remain eligible for award after cost integration, a proposal must achieve a minimum technical score of 350 of 500 points (70%). Weights are set by UCA for this procurement and may be adjusted by addendum prior to the proposal deadline.

7.3 Scoring Methodology — 0–5 Subjective Evaluator Scoring

Each evaluator will independently score every criterion — including cost — on the following 0–5 subjective scale:

Weighted points for each criterion are calculated as: (Evaluator Score ÷ 5) × Criterion Weight. Final scores will be tallied as the average of individual evaluator scores across all criteria. The cost criterion is scored on the same 0–5 scale; evaluators will consider the total all-in fixed price submitted in Attachment 1 in the context of value, schedule realism, mobilization burden, and scope completeness.

7.4 Price Guarantee

Prices quoted in the cost proposal shall remain firm and fixed for a minimum of sixty (60) days from the proposal submission date. Any contract or purchase order resulting from this solicitation will incorporate the pricing submitted.

8. Evaluation Process

8.1 Stage 1: Initial Review

UCA will review each proposal for responsiveness against the Mandatory Minimum Requirements (Section 5) and the submittal requirements (Section 6). Proposals that are non-responsive may be removed from further consideration.

8.2 Stage 2: Technical and Integrated Cost Evaluation

Responsive proposals will be scored by the evaluation committee against the criteria in Section 7 using the 0–5 methodology, with cost evaluated concurrently per the § 63G-6a-707(7)(b) waiver. A proposal must meet the 350-point (70%) technical threshold to remain eligible for award.

8.3 Stage 3: Interview (Optional)

UCA may, at its discretion, invite one or more highly ranked Offerors to an interview or clarification session. If conducted, interviews will be scored consistently across participating Offerors and may inform the committee’s final recommendation.

9. Terms, Conditions, and Insurance Any resulting purchase order or contract is subject to the UCA Standard Terms and Conditions for Goods and Services (Attachment A), incorporated by reference. By submitting a proposal, the Offeror acknowledges those terms. Prior to award, the selected Offeror must provide certificates of insurance evidencing at least the following:

1. Workers’ Compensation — statutory limits.

1. Commercial General Liability — $1,000,000 per occurrence / $3,000,000 aggregate (UCA and the State of Utah named as additional insureds).

1. Commercial Automobile Liability — $1,000,000 combined single limit (UCA and the State of Utah named as additional insureds).

1. Professional Liability / Errors & Omissions — $1,000,000 per claim. [Confirm amount; UCA has used $1M and $2M on prior professional engagements.] Insurance limits and additional-insured requirements are confirmed in Attachment A and govern in the event of any conflict with this summary. Offerors may claim protected-record status for trade-secret or other protected material under GRAMA by following the process in Attachment A; pricing becomes public after award.

10. How to Submit a Proposal

1. Deadline. Proposals must be received 7/17/2026 no later than 10am Mountain Time. Late proposals cannot be considered.

1. Method. Submit via Bonfire. Include the solicitation number on all submittals. Do not submit cost information as a separate sealed document; include it with the proposal per the cost-integration waiver.

1. Pricing. Provide a firm total all-in fixed price on Attachment 1, inclusive of all labor, travel/mobilization, instruments, and incidentals unless an exclusion is noted; identify any excluded cost as a separate line.

1. Questions. Direct all questions in writing to the Procurement Contact by 7/13/2026 no later than 2pm MT. Do not contact other UCA personnel regarding this solicitation.

1. Validity. Proposals must remain valid for a minimum of sixty (60) days from the due date.

UCA reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to request clarification, to waive minor irregularities, and to cancel this solicitation, consistent with the Utah Procurement Code.

Attachment 1 — Cost Proposal / Response Form Solicitation No.: UCA-RFP-2026-WR-INSP Proposals Due: [INSERT DATE / TIME] Important — Cost Integration

Pursuant to the Utah Code § 63G-6a-707(7)(b) waiver executed for this procurement, cost proposals are evaluated concurrently with the technical proposal. Include this completed form with your overall proposal submission. Do not submit cost information as a separate sealed document.

Vendor Information Vendor (legal name)

Contact / title

Email / telephone

Physical address

PE in responsible charge (name / Utah license no.)

Priced Scope of Work Enter a firm total all-in fixed price to inspect, analyze, and report on the listed site, including all labor, travel/mobilization, instruments, and incidentals unless an exclusion is noted.

Vendor Certification By signing below, the Offeror certifies that the prices above are firm and valid for at least sixty (60) days; that the analysis will be performed under the responsible charge of a Utah-licensed Professional Engineer; that the Offeror can meet the insurance requirements in Section 9; that the Offeror has reviewed and accepts the UCA Standard Terms and Conditions (Attachment A); and that the required qualification submittals (Sections 6.1–6.3) are included.

Printed name / title

Attachment 2 — Work History on Similar Projects List at least three (3) comparable assessments completed within the past five (5) years (see Section 6.2). Attach additional pages if needed.

Example of work (Section 6.3): Attach one representative prior report or report excerpt (redacted as needed) demonstrating methodology, standards applied, and clarity of findings and recommendations.

Attachment I — Site Grounding Example (Illustrative) Attachment I is provided under separate cover as part of this solicitation package. It is an illustrative example of the site grounding configuration UCA expects at its sites — including the radial / ground-ring scheme, tower and equipment grounding, and master bus-bar tie-in. It is provided for reference only. The governing requirement for the grounding and bonding evaluation under Section 4.3 is conformance with the L3 Harris Grounding Specifications Manual T4618 Rev F, a copy of which UCA will provide electronically on request.

Attachment A — UCA Standard Terms and Conditions The UCA Standard Terms and Conditions for Goods and Services are incorporated into this solicitation by reference and provided under separate cover. By submitting a proposal, the Offeror acknowledges and accepts those terms, which govern any resulting purchase order or contract and control in the event of any conflict with the summary provisions of this solicitation.

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