RFP Solar + Energy Storage System Construction

Jackson County Fire District #1 in Oregon is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for design-build services to construct a solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage system at the District's main fire station located at 5474 North River Road, Gold Hill, Oregon. The procurement seeks a single qualified contractor to provide comprehensive turnkey design and construction services including installation of a minimum 87 kW solar PV system, approximately 180 kWh battery energy storage capacity, electrical infrastructure reconfiguration, grid interconnection with Pacific Power, system testing, permitting, and commissioning. The primary objectives are to support facility operations during power outages, offset operating costs, and enhance sustainability and grid resilience. Key required qualifications include registration with the Oregon Construction Contractors Board, Oregon licensure as a design professional or disclosure of qualified Oregon-licensed design professionals, compliance with prevailing wage requirements, and a $30,000 Public Works Bond. The RFP documents are available online from May 13, 2026, through June 5, 2026, with an optional pre-proposal meeting and site visit scheduled for May 20, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., respectively (also available via Microsoft Teams). Questions must be submitted by May 27, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time, with sealed proposals due June 5, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time via in-person delivery or mail only. Proposals will be evaluated on a 100-point scale based on timely and complete submission (pass/fail), understanding of scope (30 points), experience with similar projects (25 points), cost competitiveness (10 points), equipment quality (20 points), and staff qualifications (15 points). The District Board will review and approve the contract on July 8, 2026, at 7:30 a.m., with intent to award announced by July 15, 2026, and construction must begin before October 2, 2026, and be substantially completed by September 24, 2027, with final completion required by October 2, 2027.

This procurement is classified as a public works project under Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 279C, subjecting all contractors to prevailing wage requirements effective October 5, 2025, and compliance with Oregon's prevailing wage law. No specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are mentioned in the RFP documents. Contractors must provide performance and payment bonds each equal to 100 percent of the contract sum, commercial general liability insurance of $2,000,000 combined single limit, workers' compensation insurance, automobile liability insurance of $2,000,000, and professional liability insurance of $2,000,000 for licensed design professionals. The successful contractor must maintain an established drug testing program and comply with all Oregon public contracting codes. The contract includes a two-year warranty period from the date of substantial completion and a ten-year extended warranty for solar system failures attributable to the contractor, with liquidated damages set at $200 per day for delays beyond the substantial completion date. The anticipated project budget is between $585,630 and $603,630 on a firm fixed-price basis, with funding authorized by Jackson County Fire District #1 and including grant funding from the Oregon Department of Energy. The District will own the completed system upon substantial completion.