Mt. Hood Town Hall Solar Plus Solar Storage Microgrid Design/Build Services

Hood River County, in collaboration with the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District and the Mt. Hood Town Hall Association, is seeking a design-build contractor for a solar plus storage microgrid project at the Mt. Hood Town Hall. The procurement is a Request for Proposal (RFP) for constructing a 55 kW photovoltaic system with a 60 kW/307.2 kWh battery energy storage system. The project aims to enhance community resilience during power outages by supporting critical loads such as space heating, lighting, refrigeration, and communication systems. Contractors must demonstrate technical capabilities, experience with similar microgrid installations, and propose appropriate equipment for the project. Key dates include a site visit scheduled for July 22, 2025, with proposals due by August 12, 2025. The project timeline requires construction to begin before December 20, 2025, and be completed by December 20, 2027, with a tentative kickoff meeting planned for September 29, 2025. Evaluation criteria will focus on technical capabilities, project experience, proposed cost, and equipment specifications.

The project has specific regulatory requirements for contractors, including mandatory BOLI (Bureau of Labor and Industries) compliance, prevailing wage documentation, and a public works bond of $30,000. Bidders must submit a First-Tier Subcontractor Disclosure form for contracts over $100,000 and provide an Employee Drug Testing Certification. While no specific set-aside designations are mentioned, contractors must have appropriate Construction Contractors Board registration. The project is funded through county resources and an Oregon Department of Energy grant, with an initial budget limit of $1 million. The system will be owned by Hood River County but operated and maintained by the Mt. Hood Town Hall Association, with financial modeling assuming a 30% federal tax credit through the direct payment mechanism. Contractors should be prepared to navigate complex regulatory requirements and demonstrate capability in designing and implementing resilient community energy infrastructure.