Request for Qualifications Firms Interested in Constructing or Providing Outside Plant Fiber to Connect Utility Substations

Transcription

1 Request for Qualifications Firms Interested in Constructing or Providing Outside Plant Fiber to Connect Utility Substations Responses are due by February 6, 2009, 4:00 PM

2 Overview: The Johnson City Power Board (JCPB) is accepting written qualifications from all interested entities to connect the utility s substations with fiber optic cable. Details of the actual work will be provided in a subsequent document which will describe the terms, conditions, and scope of work to be completed. Only responders that demonstrate the ability to perform the necessary work properly, have proven experience and meet the necessary financial requirements will be allowed to provide a detailed response to later documents. JCPB provides electric service to approximately 74,000 service points located primarily in Washington County, TN. In order to improve communications and improve the reliability of the utility electric service operations, a fiber optic backbone is envisioned which will link all existing or currently under construction substations (See attached figure for the proposed routing). While the ultimate plan is to provide redundant paths to all substations, portions of the backbone will be constructed on transmission line using the high voltage static line (Optical Ground Wire Cable or OPGW). Two such sections (transmission line OPGW) are either already constructed or currently being designed. While the OPGW cable will be utilized as part of the intra-substation connectivity, no OPGW fiber is included in this project. Most of the proposed fiber for this project will be built aerially in the power zone. One small segment will be underground. New fiber construction for this project will use All Dielectric Self-Supporting cable (ADSS). The attached drawing shows approximately 82 miles of total fiber build. As an alternative to a complete new fiber optic cable build, JCPB will consider the purchase of existing fiber for any or all of the network. To ensure the reliability of the electric utility, any such fiber must be owned by JCPB or provided under an IRU (Indefeasible Right of Use) agreement wherein the utility will be able to maintain the fiber and operate under JCPB security protocols without outside interference. Calendar of Events Release of Request for Qualifications January 8, 2009 Technical Questions Due January 22, 2009 Responses to Questions January 26, 2009 Responses Due and Opened February 6, 2009, 4:00 PM EST Approved Bidders List Issued March 6, 2009 RFP Issued for Construction of Approximately April 6, 2009 Network RFP Responses Due Approximately May 8, 2009 Vendor Selection Approximately July 8, 2009 Begin Construction Approximately August 15, 2009 Page 2 of 12

3 General Instructions 1. Items requested in this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) must be submitted in a sealed envelope or box. Address the envelope as follows: Delivery Street Address: Or if mailed: Johnson City Power Board Attn: Tom Bachman 2600 Boones Creek Rd Johnson City, TN Phone Johnson City Power Board Attn: Tom Bachman P.O. Box 1636 Johnson City, TN Proposal must contain one original signed by an authorized representative of the responding firm, one electronic copy and three additional copies of the proposal. 3. Submittals which are received after the closing date and time will be returned unopened to the submitting firm. 4. Any questions concerning the Request for Qualifications process, required submittals, technical questions concerning the project, evaluation criteria, or proposal schedule should be submitted to Tom Bachman at (423) or via to tbachman@jcpb.com. 5. Qualifications will be evaluated based on the information provided and the extent to which the responses confirm the experience of the responder. Scope of Services The Johnson City Power Board invites qualified firms to submit their qualifications to construct or provide fiber between their utility substations. This RFQ is designed to select approved prime contractors for the upcoming backbone project. The respondent who is ultimately selected to provide these services may select subcontractors to assist in the project. Firms who wish to provide only subcontractor services need not respond to this RFQ. The approved firm(s) will be allowed to respond as prime contractors to a Request for Proposal (RFP) for construction and other services as will be delineated in the subsequent document. Preliminary design work is in progress, but the utility may Page 3 of 12

4 elect to include some detailed design services in the RFP. The services which may or will be requested in that RFP are: 1. Construction of the outside plant aerial fiber network within the supply space (power zone) utilizing ADSS fiber; 2. Underground construction of fiber optic cable placed in new conduit; 3. Splice closure installation, fiber optic cable splicing and quality control assurance (OTDR traces) 4. Fiber optic outside plant design utilizing GIS software 5. Fiber management (splicing diagrams) 6. Materials Management 7. Preparation of Permits for Railroad, Interstate and State use of Rights of Way Related services which will not be required for this project are: 1. Make-Ready Engineering 2. Electronics Qualifications Statement of qualifications documentation should include sufficient detail to allow JCPB personnel to qualify applicant respondents for the upcoming project. Failure to address specific scope of services items will be evaluated as no experience in those areas. Qualification responses for respondents and teams should include the following information: Respondent (Team) Description: Include the background and history of the respondent that would be the prime contractor as well as a discussion of the experience of key members of the respondent s firm. Project Management: Discuss the project management function as utilized by respondent. How are materials and project schedules checked and maintained? How is work quality monitored? Discuss the project management staff of respondent and how they would be assigned to this project. Provide an overview of respondents work history in Tennessee as well as professional registrations or certifications of the firm. How many full time employees does the respondent employ? What experience does the firm have with power zone fiber optic outside plant construction? Address specifically the installation of fiber optic cable in the supply (power zone) space. Discuss how your installation process differs between communication zone and supply space installations. What Page 4 of 12

5 equipment does respondent utilize for supply space construction? What training does respondent s staff have in the installation of fiber optic cable in the supply space? What experience does respondent have with GIS software and fiber management programs? With what software programs does your staff have experience? What program(s) would respondent utilize for outside plant design? Subcontractors: The responding firm will be the prime contractor for the project and will be responsible for all work performed and contract deliverables. If subcontractors are likely to be utilized for this project, please discuss the areas where they would be used and the history of their use by the respondent in projects of this type. Does the respondent utilize local subcontractors where possible? Previous Experience: Provide a summary of experience in the areas of fiber optic design, fiber construction, project management and other relevant project areas. Provide a list of all substantial projects completed (or in progress) over the past five years including the approximate dollar value of each contracted project (Form Attachment 1). Please summarize the number of projects which have required some form of surety and discussion of what type (bond, irrevocable letter of credit, or other please enumerate). References: Include a minimum of three client references from county or municipal governments or utilities that consisted principally of fiber optic design or construction (Form Attachment 2). Please include a client contact name, address and phone number for each. Financial Stability: Discuss the financial stability of the respondent and the ability to successfully complete this project on time and on budget. Discuss the use of change orders in other similar projects and the extent to which they impacted the original project budget. Audited financials may be requested prior to award of the project and may be included in this response. Evaluation Criteria 1. All proposals will be reviewed with each respondent listed as qualified or not qualified based on an evaluation by the JCPB staff and consultants. 2. To be listed as a qualified respondent, a proposal must at a minimum: Page 5 of 12

6 Demonstrate experience in items 1-3, 6 and 7 under the Scope of Services Section Have their responses validated by references as to the scope and quality of completed work Furnish the requested information in an organized, responsive fashion Based on the overall quality and responsiveness of the submittal, demonstrate to the satisfaction of the evaluation committee that the firm or team has the experience and skills necessary to construct the requested backbone. Licenses, Registrations and Insurance Respondents shall be responsible for obtaining and maintaining throughout the construction period business licenses, contractors licenses and professional engineering licenses as might be required pursuant to the laws of the State of Tennessee. Please indicate which of these licenses are currently held or whether the respondent will obtain the required registrations prior to award of any contract. Current registrations are not required to meet a minimum standard of qualified, but are supportive of an evaluation that the firm is qualified. At a minimum, firm shall maintain throughout the term of this Contract statutory workers compensation insurance and general liability insurance covering the risks assumed in performance of the work under this Contract. General liability and vehicle liability insurance required under this Contract shall have minimum policy limits of $1,000,000 for personal injury to or death of any one person. The general liability and vehicle liability insurance shall have minimum policy limits of $1,000,000 for property damage. Firm shall have at a minimum $1,000,000 in professional liability coverage. Please provide a coverage form from your insurance agent listing current coverages. Page 6 of 12

7 Attachment 1: Experience Respondent may elect to organize the response in a different format incorporating the requested information. Client 1 Client Name and Work Location Duration of Project Approximate Billings to Client Was respondent Prime Contractor on Project? Describe Scope of Respondent s duties on this project. Page 7 of 12

8 Client 2 Client Name and Work Location Duration of Project Approximate Billings to Client Was respondent Prime Contractor on Project? Describe Scope of Respondent s duties on this project. Page 8 of 12

9 Client 3 Client Name and Work Location Duration of Project Approximate Billings to Client Was respondent Prime Contractor on Project? Describe Scope of Respondent s duties on this project. Add as many additional entries as are necessary to complete five year history. Page 9 of 12

10 Attachment 2: Reference Form Firms are required to submit with their response at least three references, with which they have provided similar services to those requested in this solicitation. Vendors shall use this attachment to provide the required information. Company Name Contact Name: Contact Telephone Number Contact Description of Work Client Number 1 Approximate Dollar Bills to Client for this Project Description of Work Service Dates: Company Name Contact Name: Contact Telephone Number Contact Description of Work Client Number 2 Approximate Dollar Bills to Client for this Project Description of Work Service Dates: Page 10 of 12

11 Company Name Contact Name: Contact Telephone Number Contact Description of Work Client Number 3 Approximate Dollar Bills to Client for this Project Description of Work Service Dates: Add as many additional entries as may be needed to complete five year history. Page 11 of 12

12 Proposed Network Route: Page 12 of 12