Single Phase Pad Mount Transformers

Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU), a municipal utility in Florida, is soliciting competitive bids under ITB-E 2027-015 for the supply and delivery of single phase pad mount transformers, with questions due November 24, 2026 at 4:00 PM and bids due December 8, 2026 at 2:00 PM. The solicitation requires transformers manufactured in North America, with transformer cores also manufactured domestically.

Supply is on an as-needed basis over a three-year contract period beginning December 1, 2026, with one two-year renewal option and a six-month extension to complete new solicitation procedures. Qualifying vendors must supply conventional pole-mounted and single-phase pad-mounted transformers. Technical specifications T-85.00 through T-85.05 govern oil-filled, self-cooled units with stainless steel construction, tamper-resistant compartmental pad-mount design, ANSI and IEEE C57 compliance, and Department of Energy efficiency standards effective January 1, 2016. Required features include non-resettable fault detection, pressure relief, weaklink fuses, and surge protection. Ratings vary by specification section: T-85.03 covers 10 to 37.5 kVA at 120/240 volts, and T-85.01 covers 25 to 167 kVA with a 12,470 GRD Y/7200-volt high-voltage rating. GRU's approved materials manual (T-85.00) lists manufacturers including Central, Maloney, Cooper Power Systems, Ermco, General Electric, Howard, and ABB. Vendors must guarantee no-load and total losses, deliver certified per-unit test reports before shipment, and submit approval drawings before fabrication. GRU measures losses on receipt and requires vendors to replace nonconforming units at no cost.

Evaluation rests on conformance to specifications, equivalent first cost (calculated from no-load losses, load losses, and price under the Edison Electric Institute method), and delivery. Pricing must include all applicable tariffs, duties, surcharges, and delivery costs, with materials delivered F.O.B. Destination. Suppliers warrant labor for a minimum of one year and provide manufacturer's material warranties. Required insurance includes $1 million combined single limit for general liability, $0.5 million for automobile liability, and statutory workers' compensation. Vendors must also comply with e-Verify, submit anti-human trafficking affidavits, certify a drug-free workplace, and adhere to Florida public records laws. The listed jurisdictions are Alachua County and Graceville City, Florida.

Bids must be submitted electronically through the GRU e-Procurement Portal. A non-mandatory bid evaluation meeting is scheduled for January 7, 2027 at 1:30 PM via Microsoft Teams, with an intended award date of January 8, 2027. GRU reserves the right to reject any bids, conduct a Best and Final Offer round, award to multiple suppliers, and purchase improved or superseding products during the contract term, subject to mutual agreement on pricing.