RFP 4. 16 Kilovolt Cable Testing Services

Energy Northwest, a Joint Operating Agency and Municipal Corporation of the State of Washington, is soliciting competitive proposals under RFP No. 718609 for 4.16 kilovolt cable testing at Columbia Generating Station during Refuel Outage 28. A procurement video conference is set for October 26, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. Richland time, questions are due November 2, 2026, and proposals are due November 16, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. Richland time.

The work is diagnostic testing of selected medium-voltage cables to evaluate insulation condition and serviceability under the facility's Life Cycle Management Program. Scope includes Very Low Frequency (VLF) Tan Delta testing and VLF high-voltage alternating current signal withstand or partial discharge monitored withstand testing on a minimum of 99 shielded, 5kV-rated cables across four conductor sizes. Each cable must be tested at least two times, with a written report issued after each test. The contractor supplies all equipment, testing methods, technical expertise, mobilization, and logistics, but may not perform hands-on work such as making connections or terminations.

Bidders must show equivalent project experience from the past five years (minimum two projects), declare whether they have performed similar work for nuclear power generating facilities, and submit a Supplier Leadership and Safety Culture Self-Assessment aligned with INPO document 26-001. They must also provide five years of OSHA safety statistics (Exhibit B), declare a Washington Unified Business Identifier number, and confirm they have not been disqualified from state or federal contracts. All contractor personnel must obtain Unescorted Access (green badge) certification to Columbia's Protected Area, which may require up to 40 hours per person and includes background investigation, drug and alcohol screening, FBI fingerprinting, psychological evaluation, and credit report review.

Proposals are evaluated on Technical Qualifications and Experience (50%), Price (30%), and Commercial Qualifications (20%). Online work follows a 4x10 schedule, Monday through Thursday, 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and outage work follows a rotating 6x12 schedule, 24 hours per day. The estimated outage start is March 17, 2027, with contract completion required by June 30, 2027. Proposals become public record under Washington State law, and extensive or material exceptions to Energy Northwest's General Provisions may result in a proposal being declared non-responsive.