Specifications for self-supporting poles upgrade, utility protective measures, phase 2 construction

Florida Keys Electric Cooperative (FKEC) is soliciting competitive bids for the replacement of eleven guyed transmission structures with steel self-supported structures and concrete drilled pier foundations as part of a hazard mitigation project spanning from Key Largo to Marathon, Florida. The procurement encompasses four land-based structures and seven water-based structures, including installation of new galvanized steel monopole double dead-end structures with drilled pier foundations, transfer of existing wire to new poles while maintaining energized 138 kV transmission circuits, removal of existing guyed structures and concrete poles, site work including right-of-way clearing, and sediment/erosion control measures. Deliverables include final as-built drawings in AutoCAD 2024 format within 45 days of project completion. The contractor must assume total responsibility for all labor, materials, equipment, delivery, storage, transportation, OSHA safety compliance, and site conditions, with detailed invoices required by materials, labor, and fees with dates and locations of services. Evaluation criteria are weighted as follows: work plan (15 points), qualifications of firm and staff (30 points), relevant past performance (15 points), and cost proposal (40 points). Questions are due by April 13, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., with bids due April 22, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., intent to award by May 11, 2026, and notice to proceed on June 1, 2026 with project completion anticipated by June 1, 2027. A bid bond equal to five percent of the not-to-exceed bid price is required, and site visits are available upon request.

The contract will be awarded on a firm fixed-price basis to a single contractor or, at FKEC's discretion, to multiple contractors, with no specific set-aside designations noted in the procurement documents. The project is funded in part through federal grant funding administered by the Florida Division of Emergency Management under FEMA Project Number 4337-444-R, requiring all contractors to comply with 2 C.F.R. Part 200 (Uniform Rules) and FEMA procurement guidance. All contractors must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage including professional liability, commercial general liability with limits of $2,000,000 per occurrence, workers' compensation of $500,000 per accident, and commercial automobile liability of $2,000,000 per accident, with FKEC named as certificate holder; for work over water using barges, boats, vessels, helicopters, or drones, maritime-specific insurance including Maritime Employers Liability and Protection & Indemnity coverage is required. Performance and payment bonds equal to 100 percent of the contract price are required for construction and facility contracts. The project is subject to extensive environmental and protected species compliance requirements including U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permits, Florida Department of Environmental Protection exemption verification, sea turtle and smalltooth sawfish construction conditions, manatee protection protocols, and adherence to the Jacksonville District Programmatic Biological Opinion Project Design Criteria for transmission line activities. The specific budgeted contract value is not disclosed in the procurement documents, though the project is subject to federal HMGP funding authorization and all cost proposals will be evaluated as part of the competitive bid process.