Specifications for electric underground distribution system inspection

Florida Keys Electric Cooperative (FKEC) is issuing a competitive invitation for bids to perform comprehensive inspections of its underground distribution system in compliance with Florida Public Service Commission Rules 25-6.034 and 25-6.0341, the National Electrical Safety Code, and OSHA standards. The scope of work encompasses inspections of 31 pad-mounted switchgear units, 809-890 pad-mounted transformers, 80 pad-mounted junction cabinets, 2 Medium Voltage Interrupt cabinets, 5 fused elbow vaults, 4 primary metering cabinets, and associated underground components including terminations, elbows, bushings, grounding systems, and protective devices. Contractors must provide all labor, equipment, tools, materials, transportation, and reporting as part of a unit-rate pricing structure with separate line items for each equipment type, travel costs, and mobilization/demobilization expenses. Required contractor qualifications include current Florida business licenses, appropriate electrical contractor licensing, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.269 training certification, NFPA 70E arc-flash safety training, confined space entry certification where applicable, and First Aid/CPR certification for field crews, with field technicians requiring a minimum of two years of experience and journeyman linemen/underground specialists requiring four years of experience. FKEC will evaluate proposals based on firm and staff qualifications (40 percent weight), relevant past performance (20 percent), and cost proposal (40 percent), with contract award not necessarily going to the lowest bidder. Written questions are due March 23, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., proposals are due March 31, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. via email to procurement@fkec.com or through DemandStar e-Bidding, with contract award anticipated by November 1, 2026, and project completion also targeted for November 1, 2026.

No specific set-asides or disadvantaged enterprise restrictions are identified in the procurement documents. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are listed. Contractors must comply with work restrictions that prohibit activities on FKEC blackout days (Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day) and during specified holiday weeks and the Florida Lobster Sport Season (July 26-August 1, 2026), with additional restrictions on Overseas Highway traffic impacts during holiday periods. Contractors are responsible for securing project materials during hurricane season from June 1 through November 30, 2026. The contractor must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage including professional liability, commercial general liability with $2,000,000 per occurrence limits, workers' compensation with $500,000 limits, and commercial automobile liability with $2,000,000 limits, with additional maritime or aviation insurance potentially required depending on project specifications. The specific budget or award value is not disclosed in the procurement documents, though compensation will be structured as a fixed "not to exceed" amount with FKEC retaining the right to withhold ten percent of projected costs if the contractor exceeds the scheduled completion date.