Relay Services

The City of Austin is requesting proposals for staff augmentation to support Austin Energy with routine and emergency relay services across substations, power plants, transmission and distribution systems (RFP 1100 LLM3009), with proposals due September 17, 2026.

Austin Energy's service territory encompasses 300+ distribution circuits across approximately 437 square miles and 78+ substations. The scope includes material handling, fiber optic cable installation, relay panel assembly and installation, SCADA remote terminal unit installation, system commissioning and testing, and equipment maintenance. The contract carries a mandatory Living Wage Program requirement of $22.15 per hour minimum for contractor employees directly assigned to the contract. Overtime is calculated at 1.5 times the standard wage rate. Evaluation criteria are weighted as follows: project understanding (10 points), staffing plan (20 points), experience and personnel (35 points), and price (15 points); optional local and small business preference points of up to 10 each are available.

The initial contract term is 24 months with the option for up to three additional 12-month renewal periods at the City's sole discretion. The Contractor must mobilize and begin work within 15 days of contract execution and respond quickly to both routine and emergency work assignments. Austin Energy furnishes all materials and hardware including relays, breakers, cable, and electrical components; the Contractor must provide labor, equipment, temporary materials, tools, and safety equipment. The Contractor assumes liability for damage or loss of materials after acceptance, with a 2% excess margin permitted on breakable items and control materials only.

Personnel must be journeyman-level technicians at minimum and comply with all OSHA, NFPA, and ANSI standards, including arc flash work procedures requiring minimum arc protection of 12 cal/cm². Pricing uses specified hourly labor rates for four job classifications: Relay Wireman, Field Technician II, Senior Test Engineer/Senior Field Technician, and Lead Test Engineer/Lead Field Technician. The Contractor must provide a 5% bid bond and, upon award, $1.2 million payment and performance bonds within 14 days. Commercial general liability insurance of $2 million per occurrence and $5 million umbrella/excess liability are required. Contractors must complete wage theft training within 30 days of award.