(RFP-CCNA) Progressive Design-Build Services for the New World Substation

Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA) is soliciting progressive design-build proposals under RFP-CCNA for a new 230/26kV substation in Jacksonville, Florida, with a mandatory pre-response meeting on November 13, 2026 and responses due December 8, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. EST. No set-aside is mandated. The solicitation describes JSEB (Jacksonville Small and Emerging Business) participation as optional and encouraged, but the evaluation matrix states JEA requires JSEB participation for initial design scope work only, with 0 to 5 points awarded on a sliding scale based on the percentage subcontracted to qualified JSEB firms.

Minimum qualifications require three similar engineering, procurement, and construction projects completed within the past ten years, each involving a substation operating at or above 115kV phase-to-phase. Respondents may not appear on the State of Florida Convicted Vendor List, the Suspended Vendor List, or the City of Jacksonville Disqualified Vendor List. Four key primary team members must demonstrate relevant education, experience, office locations, licenses, and reference projects. The Appendix B subcontractor form requires bidders to list major subcontractors by tier, including JSEB and diverse Tier 3 firms, and the list cannot be modified after opening without good cause and JEA's written consent.

The scope covers all engineering, permitting, design, structure and material procurement, and construction at the southwest corner of Normandy Boulevard and New World Road in Duval County (32221). The substation is provisioned for three power transformers, nine distribution feeders, and three capacitor banks, with initial installation of two transformers, six feeders, one CapSwitcher, and one capacitor bank. JEA will procure two power transformers, one CapSwitcher, eight 230kV SF-6 breakers, and nine 26kV vacuum breakers. The proposer supplies all other materials, labor, and equipment, including transport of the specified breakers. Deliverables must be compatible with OpenUtilities Substation 3D, and engineering studies must use SKM, CDEGS, and AGi32. The proposer must coordinate gopher tortoise removal and obtain all environmental, city, county, state, and FAA permits.

JEA intends to award one contract but may award multiple contracts or exclude work items. Pricing is negotiated after selection, and the selected respondent must execute the contract within 10 days of award. The proposer must submit a Guaranteed Maximum Price no later than the 60 percent design checkpoint, along with a risk register, final schedule, permitting matrix, and cost breakdown. The schedule calls for a January 4, 2027 start, final design completion by October 1, 2027, construction beginning February 14, 2028, substantial completion on November 22, 2028, and an in-service date of December 22, 2028, enforced with liquidated damages. If federal funding is used, Davis-Bacon prevailing wage and other federal clauses apply. JEA may use Owner Direct Purchase procedures for sales tax exemption on specified materials.

Evaluation under Florida's Consultants' Competitive Negotiation Act allocates 100 points: similar project experience (30), project schedule (20), professional staff experience (15), design approach (15), construction approach and resource availability (15), and JSEB participation (5).

An optional site visit takes place November 17, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. EST at 6011 POW MIA Memorial Parkway. The pre-response meeting is held via Microsoft Teams. Responses are submitted electronically through JEA's Zycus e-procurement platform, and proposals must acknowledge receipt of all addenda.