ESB Solar Project - Hermiston Maintenance Station

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is seeking an Emerging Small Business (ESB) certified contractor to design and install a solar photovoltaic system at the Hermiston Maintenance Station located at 1840 S Hwy 395 in Hermiston, Oregon. The project involves the purchase and installation of a rooftop solar array system, which will consist of 72 monocrystalline solar modules with a total capacity of 26kW, expected to generate approximately 35MWh per year. The primary deliverables include a complete solar PV system interconnected to the facility's main electrical distribution panel, along with an electrical service upgrade. A mandatory pre-quote conference is scheduled for April 12th at the project site, and all quotes must be submitted through the OregonBuys eProcurement system by May 16, 2022. The project has strict completion timelines, with substantial completion required by January 2, 2023, and final completion by January 16, 2023. ODOT will evaluate and award the contract to the responsible contractor submitting the lowest-priced quote that meets all project requirements, with the contractor responsible for obtaining all necessary permits, coordinating with suppliers and subcontractors, and maintaining a clean worksite.

The contract is exclusively reserved for firms certified as an Emerging Small Business (ESB) by the State of Oregon, which effectively limits competition to qualifying small businesses. Successful bidders must provide additional documentation prior to contract award, including insurance certificates, a performance bond, a payment bond, and a first-tier subcontractor disclosure form if applicable. Liquidated damages of $600 per calendar day will be assessed for failure to meet the substantial completion deadline. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated in the documents, the project involves a solar installation and electrical upgrade at a maintenance station. The contractor will be required to provide comprehensive operations and maintenance documentation and must adhere to Title VI non-discrimination provisions and the Oregon False Claims Act. Contractors should be prepared to coordinate closely with ODOT's structural engineer during the design process and submit detailed shop drawings for review and approval before finalizing the solar system design.