6-PEPB - Air Break Switches - RFB due 10.28.26.pdf

Princeton Electric Plant Board Attn:Chris Burton, General Manager

304 East Legion Dr.

Princeton, KY 42445

Office# (270) 365-2031 Cell# (270) 619-0167 | csburton@pepb.net

REQUEST FOR BIDS

Princeton Electric Plant Board Air Break Switches

The Electric Plant Board of the City of Princeton, Kentucky (the “Princeton Electric Plant Board”) is seeking sealed bids for the supply of new air brake switch assemblies suitable for 13.2 kV distribution systems for improved sectionalizing and system reliability. This project will be partially funded through the Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grant, implemented by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), under the Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation (RECI) Program, and is part of the Kentucky Grid Resilience Grant Program, with a primary focus on improving the resilience of the electric grid against disruptive events caused by severe weather.

BID SUBMISSION

● Bid and all required forms shall be submitted through the DFS Procurement Portal (hereinafter “DFS Portal” or “Portal”) at dfs.bonfirehub.com no later than October 28, 2026, at 12:00 p.m.

CDT. Bids received after the due date and time will be considered non-responsive and will not be considered.

● Questions regarding the scope or RFB should be submitted in the Portal by October 26, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CDT. For questions regarding vendor registration or navigation in the portal, please email: procurement@erassist.com.

● Bids will be opened publicly at the Princeton Electric Plant Board office located at 304 E Legion Dr. Princeton, KY 42445 on October 30, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. CDT.

● Award is scheduled to occur at the Princeton Electric Plant Board office November 4, 2026 at 12:00 PM CDT, 304 E Legion Dr. Princeton, KY 42445.

● Submission of any bid signifies the Contractor’s agreement that their bid and the content thereof, are valid for ninety (90) calendar days following the submission deadline and will become part of the contract that is negotiated between the Princeton Electric Plant Board and the successful bidder. All prices submitted with the bid shall remain in effect for the ninety (90) day period.

● The Board reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids. The right is also reserved to waive any minor irregularities in this bid, and to award the bid to the bidder whose offer is most advantageous to the Board and in the best interests of the Board .

● Princeton Electric Plant Board is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All companies, including women, minority, and veteran owned businesses are encouraged to submit a bid.

Princeton Electric Plant Board — Air Break Switches RFB 1/6 http://dfs.bonfirehub.com mailto:procurement@erassist.com

PRINCETON ELECTRIC PLANT BOARD

REQUEST FOR BID

AIR BREAK SWITCHES

GENERAL TERMS & INFORMATION

● All materials should be delivered to 304 E Legion Dr. Princeton, KY 42445.

● The Contractor’s products shall be guaranteed to be free from defects in material and/or workmanship and to perform as advertised when properly used and maintained in accordance with written instructions. Goods and Services furnished, whether manufactured or fabricated by Vendor or a third party, shall (a) be new; (b) be first quality; (c) strictly conform to the specifications and samples; and (d) be free from defects in materials and workmanship. Vendor shall be required to promptly replace Goods and Services, after receiving notification from the Board of defects or nonconformance. A one-year (365 days) unconditional warranty shall be in effect on materials and workmanship.

● The air break switches must meet current National Electric Safety Code (NESC) requirements, and use material and manufacturing to ASTM International specifications and comply with all applicable codes (local, state, federal), industry standards, laws, and regulations, including all applicable National Electrical Codes (“NEC”) and National Fire Protection Association (“NFPA”) codes.

● Contractor shall be responsible for all expenses incurred while performing services under this Agreement. This includes automobile, truck, and other travel expenses; vehicle maintenance and repair costs; vehicle and other license fees and permits; insurance premiums; road, fuel, and other taxes; fines; radio, pager, or cell phone expenses; meals; and all salary, expenses, and other compensation paid to employees or contract personnel the Contractor hires to complete the work under this Agreement.

● Build America, Buy America: As required by Section 70914 of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act), P.L. 117-58, on or after May 14, 2022, awarded contractors must submit the “EEC-003 – Contractor Certificate of Compliance with Build America, Buy America Provisions for Federally Assisted Contracts” form.

● The contractor will restore any landscaping, asphalt, concrete, etc. disturbed by the delivery to its original state or approved alternative. Any damage to the Board’s property caused by the delivery and unloading will be repaired at the contractor’s expense.

● Contractors will be responsible for determining all requirements and permits needed to complete the delivery of the air break switches, any associated components needed to ensure the proper, efficient, and safe delivery of the air break switches. The awarded contractor will also be responsible for obtaining any and all engineering approvals mandated and required by federal, state, or local codes or regulations. All permits, inspections, engineering approvals and associated requirements are the responsibility of the selected Contractor. Copies of required permits and approvals must be provided to the Board upon receipt.

● Awarded contractor shall be required to document all work performed throughout this project to ensure compliance with grant requirements. Documentation shall accompany invoice submittal(s) and include descriptions of all materials delivered and delivery date.

● Invoice(s) shall be itemized in order to comply with Kentucky Grid Resilience Grant Program reporting and reimbursement guidelines. Princeton Electric Plant Board reserves the right to request additional information or documentation from the contractor in order to comply with

Princeton Electric Plant Board — Air Break Switches RFB 2/6 grant guidelines or formal requests from the Federal Department of Energy (DOE) or Kentucky Energy and Environmental Cabinet (EEC).

● If the scope of work of this project changes for any reason, work may be required to stop until additional approvals are obtained from the Department of Energy (DOE). If circumstances requiring a scope change arise during the performance of the work, the Board must be notified immediately and all work must stop until a notice to proceed is provided by the Board.

SCOPE OF WORK

The work required for this project includes providing all components, materials, equipment, labor needed to deliver air break switches as part of a project partially funded by Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation (RECI) Grant Program. This includes any design, electrical, and mechanical work needed to properly carry out the scope of work according to federal, state, and local codes and regulations.

Design, Construct, and Supply

Air break switch assemblies specifications listed in Appendix A.

Delivery Materials shall be delivered to 304 E Legion Dr., Princeton, KY 42445 and unloaded in accordance with direction from the Princeton Electric Plant Board.

Deliverables In addition to aforementioned underlined items, final deliverables also include

● Factory test certifications

● Two (2) copies of operating manuals

● A confirmation letter that the air break switches meets current

○ ASTM International specifications

○ National Electric Safety Code (NESC) minimum load requirements,

○ Comply with all applicable codes (local, state, federal), industry standards, laws, and regulations, including all applicable National Electrical Codes (“NEC”) and National Fire Protection Association (“NFPA”)

Buy America, Build America (BABA) – Request for Bids Requirements This procurement is funded in part by Federal financial assistance and is therefore subject to the Buy America, Build America (BABA) Domestic Procurement Preference requirements set forth in Section 70914 of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act), P.L. 117-58, and all applicable implementing regulations and guidance.

By submitting a Bid in response to this Request for Bids (RFB), the Bidder acknowledges that this RFB and all BABA-related requirements contained herein shall become part of the contract with the successful Bidder.

Princeton Electric Plant Board — Air Break Switches RFB 3/6

Bidders are hereby advised that no Federal funds may be obligated for this Project unless all iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials incorporated into the Project are produced in the United States, unless an approved waiver applies.

For purposes of this RFB:

● Iron and Steel: All iron and steel used in the manufacture of the air brake switch assemblies must be produced in the United States, meaning that all manufacturing processes, from initial melting through the application of coatings (including galvanizing), occurred domestically.

● Manufactured Products: Manufactured products must be manufactured in the United States, and the cost of U.S.-mined, produced, or manufactured components must exceed fifty-five percent (55%) of the total component cost, unless a higher standard applies.

● Construction Materials: All construction materials, as defined by applicable federal guidance, must be manufactured in the United States.

The Buy America preference applies only to articles, materials, and supplies that are consumed in, incorporated into, or affixed to the infrastructure project.

As a condition of responsiveness, each Bidder shall certify in its Bid submission that:

● The air brake switch assemblies proposed comply with all applicable BABA domestic content requirements; or

● The Bidder has identified any materials for which compliance is not claimed and acknowledges that such materials may not be used unless an approved waiver is obtained by Princeton Electric Plant Board from the Federal funding agency.

Submission of a Bid shall constitute the Bidder’s acknowledgment that BABA compliance is mandatory and that failure to comply may result in bid rejection, contract termination, withholding of payment, or other remedies available under law.

The successful Bidder shall, prior to contract execution or as otherwise required by Princeton Electric Plant Board, submit:

● The “EEC-003 – Contractor Certificate of Compliance with Build America, Buy America Provisions for Federally Assisted Contracts”; and

● Any additional documentation reasonably required to demonstrate compliance with BABA domestic content requirements.

The successful Bidder shall ensure that all subcontractors and suppliers comply with BABA requirements and shall include these requirements in all subcontracts and purchase orders.

Bidders are advised that:

Princeton Electric Plant Board — Air Break Switches RFB 4/6

● Waivers are not automatic and must be approved by the Federal funding agency;

● Princeton Electric Plant Board is under no obligation to seek a waiver on behalf of a Bidder;

and

● Materials that do not comply with BABA requirements may not be furnished unless and until a waiver is formally approved.

If a Bidder believes a waiver may be necessary, the Bidder shall clearly identify the affected materials in its Bid submission and provide sufficient information to allow Princeton Electric Plant Board to evaluate whether a waiver request may be pursued.

All requirements set forth in this RFB, including but not limited to BABA compliance, certifications, flow-down obligations, and enforcement provisions, shall be incorporated into and made a part of the contract with the successful Bidder.

Princeton Electric Plant Board — Air Break Switches RFB 5/6

APPENDIX A: SPECIFICATIONS

Air brake switch assemblies suitable for 15.5 kV distribution systems as listed below to improve the resiliency of the electrical grid within the City of Princeton.The air break switches must meet current National Electric Safety Code (NESC) requirements, and use material and manufacturing to ASTM International specifications and comply with all applicable codes (local, state, federal), industry standards, laws, and regulations, including all applicable National Electrical Codes (“NEC”) and National Fire Protection Association (“NFPA”) codes. Air brake switch assemblies must be BABA compliant.

Total Quantity List

Pricing shall be all-inclusive and include all labor, equipment, material, and supply costs and shall not be increased or changed for any reason other than changes requested or approved by Princeton Electric Plant

Board.

Description Quantity

Eaton Cooper Power series M-Force three-phase switch, 15.5 kV, 900A M1HB2TR2 or equivalent

Eaton Cooper Power series disconnect switch, 15.5 kV, 900A D-73P19S0 or equivalent

Maclean SC27SG108-CD Polymer Cutout or equivalent 65

6 K Fuse Link 6 Amp 40

8 K Fuse Link 8 Amp 20

10 K Fuse Link 10 Amp 20

30 K Fuse Link 30 Amp 20

Approximate lead time once given a Notice to Proceed (Please provide answer in number of weeks from order to delivery)

Princeton Electric Plant Board — Air Break Switches RFB 6/6