Columbia Heights Substation

Northern Wasco County People's Utility District is soliciting bids for complete construction of the Columbia Heights Substation in The Dalles, Oregon under ITB 2026002, with bids due October 13, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. PDT and sealed bids received by October 20, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. PDT. A mandatory pre-bid meeting and site visit on September 23, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. PDT is required for bid eligibility; attendance documentation must be submitted with the bid. Prevailing wage rates established by Oregon's Bureau of Labor & Industries apply to all labor.

The scope encompasses two-phase replacement of the existing substation located at 1100 East 16th Place. Phase I includes site development, perimeter masonry wall installation, foundations, transformer oil containment, vaults, conduit infrastructure, grounding systems, installation of two 12.47kV metalclad switchgear buildings with 2000A capacity, two 115-12.47/7.2kV transformers rated 24/32/40 MVA, control buildings, circuit breakers, steel structures, non-segregated bus systems, and low-voltage wiring for testing and energization. Phase II involves demolition of existing equipment and installation of a second transformer and control building. The contractor must coordinate two potential staging-site options, furnish and install conduit systems including approximately 3,000 linear feet of 2" PVC Schedule 40 and 4,400 linear feet of 6" PVC conduit, stub and cap conduit outside the fence for future communications and PUD extensions, and coil ground-grid cables in Phase II areas for future interconnection.

The contract is awarded on a lump-sum basis with unit-price work for identified items. Phase I substantial completion and energization must occur before Phase II begins. Overall project completion is due August 9, 2028. Key material-delivery milestones are Transformer 1 by June 17, 2027; Metal Clad Building 1 by July 15, 2027; Metal Clad Building 2 by June 1, 2028; and Transformer 2 by May 4, 2028. Liquidated damages are $5,500 per day for Phase I or Phase II substantial completion delays and $1,000 per day for final completion delays. Progress payments are 95 percent of completed work value with 5 percent retainage until Phase II substantial completion, then 100 percent less 200 percent of the Engineer's estimate for punch-list work. Bids require certified check or bid bond, performance and payment bonds, certificate of insurance, non-collusion affidavit, bidder's experience form, and Critical Path Method schedule. Bid Amendment 001 modifies the original solicitation; all prospective bidders must acknowledge and incorporate the amendment into their proposals.