RFP Installation of 500 KV Bus Supports

Energy Northwest, a Washington State Joint Operating Agency and Municipal Corporation, is requesting proposals for installation of 500 kilovolt bus supports at Columbia Generating Station in Richland, with proposals due August 19, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. and a mandatory bid walk on July 29, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Building No. 26. All work is subject to prevailing wage requirements under RCW chapter 39.12 and Inflation Reduction Act prevailing wage requirements, whichever is higher; bidders must be licensed contractors in Washington State.

The scope includes excavation, foundation forming and pouring for four new 500 kilovolt bus supports; installation of anchors, rebar, and tie-ins to existing deluge piping foundations; exothermic welding of grounds from ground grids stubbed up through new concrete pedestals; extension of grounds in new excavations to avoid new foundations; and direct burial cable management for 120 VAC lighting circuits (to be performed using a vacuum truck). Work must be completed within a 28-day work window and is subject to liquidated damages provisions for schedule delays.

Contractors must obtain Unescorted Access certification through Energy Northwest's credentialing process (up to 40 hours per person) and comply with site-specific security, cyber security, and safety and health plan requirements. A Performance and Payment Bond equal to 100% of the total contract sum is required. Apprentice utilization of 15% applies if the total proposal price exceeds $1.5 million. A 5% retainage is maintained until final project approval by three Washington State agencies.

Evaluation criteria are weighted as follows: General Qualifications (10%), Commercial Qualifications (10%), Technical Qualifications (45%), and Price (35%). The contract includes incentive payments and liquidated damages under A.C.E.M.A.N. criteria covering safety, schedule adherence, quality, and compliance. Questions are due August 5, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. to Robert Mendez, Contracts Lead (rdmendez@energy-northwest.com).