Underground and Overhead Electric Distribution Services

The City of Wilson, North Carolina is requesting sealed bids for underground and overhead electric distribution and transmission construction services under ITB #2627-07, with bids due October 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. EST at the Office of the Purchasing Manager, 1800 Herring Avenue, Wilson.

The scope covers installation and replacement of underground power cable, conduits, transformers, switching equipment, and other URD system facilities in residential and commercial developments, as well as overhead distribution and transmission line construction including pole replacement, service installations, and streetlight work. For underground services, the contractor shall provide either a four-person underground construction crew or a three-person underground service crew as needed, utilizing conventional digging equipment (backhoes and trenchers) to install cables and conduits at depths of 3 to 5 feet minimum-to-maximum. For overhead services, the contractor may propose a five-person overhead construction crew, a two-person light crew, or a three-person overhead service/light crew. All personnel must possess considerable experience in electric distribution/transmission construction, valid current North Carolina Commercial driver's licenses, and be certified competent persons. The work week is 40 hours maximum, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., excluding holidays.

The City of Wilson intends to enter into a multi-year contract with fixed prices during the first year and options for annual extensions at the same or negotiated unit prices for up to four additional years, not to exceed five years total, subject to market conditions, service requirements, and available funding. Estimated underground crew hours are 1,000 annually, though this is not guaranteed and depends on workload and available funding. Bidders must submit cost-plus-overhead labor rates based on actual salaries paid to employees, along with hourly equipment rates for specified vehicles and equipment. Payment terms are Net 30 days. The contractor must provide Comprehensive General Liability Insurance of $1,000,000 on an occurrence basis, Automobile Liability Insurance of $1,000,000, and Workers' Compensation Insurance as required by North Carolina law with minimum employer's liability coverage of $1,000,000. The City of Wilson reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to award based on the lowest responsible, responsive bid.