Specifications for construction of a new electric distribution feeder

Florida Keys Electric Cooperative Association, Inc. (FKEC), a not-for-profit electric utility serving over 33,000 meters in the Upper and Middle Florida Keys, is soliciting construction bids for the rebuild and reconductor of a new 25-kilovolt three-phase electric distribution feeder designated as the Q Feeder. The project scope consists of 1.5 miles of overhead distribution feeder and 3.5 miles of underground feeder installation extending from Crawl Key to Marathon Substations along US1/Overseas Highway between Mile Markers 57 and 52, including the installation of 37 new distribution poles, framing of 14 existing poles, one new recloser, 3-phase 336 AAC conductor installation, and removal of existing lines and poles. Qualified contractors must demonstrate extensive experience with distribution feeder construction, possess the technical capability to maintain energized 25kV distribution conductors with minimal outages, and coordinate with Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for permitting requirements. The evaluation criteria allocates 40 points to qualifications of the firm and staff, 20 points to relevant past performance with at least three references from work performed within the past five years, and 40 points to cost proposal submissions, with FKEC reserving the right to award to the lowest cost-qualified bidder or multiple contractors. All bid submissions must be received electronically to procurement@fkec.com or via DemandStar e-Bidding by March 3, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., with questions due by February 23, 2026; the anticipated award date is March 19, 2026, and the project completion deadline is December 31, 2027. Required deliverables include detailed work plans, project schedules, personnel information, weekly progress reports, and a fully detailed cost proposal budget identifying labor, equipment, and all expenses for both new facility installation and removal of old facilities, with a bid bond equal to 5% of the "not to exceed" bid price required at submission.

Contractors intending to respond must make affirmative efforts to solicit small and minority businesses, women's business enterprises, and labor surplus area firms for subcontracting opportunities and must submit required certifications regarding debarment, lobbying, drug-free workplace status, and public entity crimes compliance. The project is federally funded through FEMA's Procurement Guidance for Recipients and Subrecipients Under 2 C.F.R. Part 200, and the selected contractor must execute a Firm Fixed Price agreement complying with 2 C.F.R. 200.327 and all applicable FEMA requirements. All proposals must remain irrevocable for 90 days from submission, and contractors must comply with comprehensive technical specifications including NESC standards, IEEE and ANSI electrical codes, conductor tension requirements across multiple feeder segments, and FKEC-approved equipment specifications documented in extensive exhibits covering material cut sheets, plan and profile drawings, stringing charts, staking sheets, and typical underground vault designs. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are specifically identified in the procurement documents; however, the specification exhibits reference Elastimold molded vacuum switchgear and reclosers, KCI Technologies engineering designs, and PLS-CADD software specifications that reflect the technical standards contractors must meet for integration with FKEC's existing distribution infrastructure. The actual budget or award value is not disclosed in the available procurement documentation, though the cost proposal evaluation represents 40% of the total scoring, indicating that price competitiveness is a significant factor in the selection process.