MPE new Substation and Sub-Transmission

Mountain Parks Electric, Inc. (MPEI), a not-for-profit electric cooperative serving mountain communities in Colorado, is seeking qualified vendors to provide comprehensive services for siting, designing, permitting, and supporting construction of a new electric substation and transmission line project in Grand County. The procurement involves developing infrastructure near Winter Park and modifying an existing substation in Fraser, with a proposed transmission line approximately 8 miles long connecting the Mettler Substation to a new substation site near Winter Park Resort. Vendors must demonstrate at least 10 years of experience in electric utility substation and transmission line projects, with specific knowledge of electrical standards and expertise in high-altitude, mountainous environment design. Proposal evaluation criteria will include relevant experience, proposal clarity, competitive pricing, references, and implementation schedule. Key dates for this Request for Proposal (RFP) include a pre-bid meeting on September 16, 2025, with proposals due by October 17, 2025, and an anticipated initial service date in the third quarter of 2031. Deliverables will encompass land acquisition, environmental reviews, public engagement, engineering design, bid support, and construction phase management.

The RFP does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. MPEI serves approximately 23,000 meters across 1,800 miles of line, operating in challenging terrain with elevations ranging from 8,000 to 12,000 feet, which significantly constrains construction to a limited seasonal window from late April/May to October. The selected vendor must maintain specific insurance coverages, including workers' compensation, general liability, automobile liability, and optional environmental and cyber liability insurance. While no incumbent vendor is specified, the project requires integration with existing electrical infrastructure along US Highway 40, traversing multiple jurisdictional areas. The proposal requires vendors to design infrastructure that can support future growth and electrical grid reliability in the mountain corridor. Although a specific budget range is not disclosed in the provided documents, the complexity of the project—involving substation construction, transmission line development, and environmental considerations—suggests a significant capital investment.