Specifications for the purchase of one new o. E. M. SF6 interrupter bottle

The Florida Keys Electric Cooperative Association, Inc. (FKEC) initiated a competitive bid process (Bid #25-10) to procure a specific replacement component for electrical infrastructure: one new Original Equipment Manufacturer (O.E.M.) SF6 interrupter bottle for a S & C Circuit Switcher Model 2010. The specific circuit switcher has a serial number of 00-18387, and requires a S & C part number SA-42900-A. FKEC seeks a replacement bottle that will be delivered directly from the S & C factory, maintaining full protective shielding, including all linkage locking parts and the complete factory warranty. The bid evaluation process incorporated a weighted selection criteria, with 50 points allocated to material cost, 25 points for manufacturing quality and performance, and 25 points for material availability, totaling a possible 100-point scoring system. Critical dates for this procurement included a bid release on February 21, 2025, with vendor questions due by March 3, 2025, and final bid submissions required by March 7, 2025. FKEC planned to issue an Intent to Award on March 13, 2025, and utilized DemandStar and Vendor Link systems to facilitate an open and competitive bidding process.

The procurement was ultimately awarded to Irby Utilities on March 13, 2025, and was subject to FEMA's Procurement Guidance for Recipients and Subrecipients Under 2 C.F.R. Part 200 (Uniform Rules). FKEC, a private non-profit power utility serving the Upper and Middle Florida Keys, noted that it does not meet the definition of a "state and local government agency" under Florida Statute Title X, Chapter 119, and therefore maintains discretion in bid disclosure. The cooperative serves over 33,000 meters with an authorized workforce of 123 employees and currently imports all power supply, using local generation only for emergency back-up. No specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises were explicitly outlined in the procurement documents. FKEC reserved the right to reject any or all quotes and to waive irregularities in the bidding process. While specific budget ranges were not disclosed, the focus was on obtaining a precise replacement part with specific technical requirements and maintaining full factory specifications.