Cowlitz PUD South Kelso Substation Fence Hardening (UC1852)

BID LOGISTICS

• Bid due date/time: August 12, 2026, before 2:00 p.m.
• Submission location: Sealed Bids, Cowlitz PUD, 961 12th Avenue, PO Box 3007, Longview, WA 98632
• Required format: Sealed bid, marked "Sealed Bid - Contract UC1852, South Kelso Substation Fence Hardening"; submitted on the provided Bid Form (Exhibit C)
• Mandatory pre-bid meeting: July 30, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., Cowlitz PUD Main Office, 961 12th Avenue, Longview, WA. Attendance is MANDATORY — "Bids will not be accepted from contractors not in attendance at this meeting." Followed by an optional site visit.
• Bid bond: Required — Bid Bond, Cashier's Check, or Certified Check equal to 5% of total bid price
• Performance bond: Required prior to commencing work, in the amount of 100% of the price quoted on Exhibit C, excluding sales tax
• Prevailing wage: All work is Public Works; Cowlitz County prevailing wage rates in effect August 12, 2026 apply. Contractor must have completed L&I Contractor Training (or qualify for exemption — 3+ years in business and 3+ public works projects). Must file Statement of Intent to Pay Prevailing Wages before starting, Affidavit of Wages Paid at completion, and monthly certified payroll reports per RCW 39.12.120. Contractor is responsible for subcontractor compliance.
• Union requirements: Not found in documents
• Bid packet must include: Completed Bid Form (Exhibit C); Bid Security (5%); Detailed project schedule/Gantt chart showing construction activities and milestones
• Post-award submittals: Signed Contractor's Agreement, Certificate of Insurance, Performance Bond (100%)
• RFIs/Questions: Work questions to Rob Stumph, Physical Security Coordinator, (360) 501-9328, rstumph@cowlitzpud.org. Contract terms/prevailing wage questions to Stacie Pederson, Risk Compliance Manager, (360) 501-9554, spederson@cowlitzpud.org. Question deadline: Not found in documents.

PROJECT SCOPE Replace ~753 linear feet of aging 7' galvanized cyclone fencing at Cowlitz PUD's South Kelso Substation (2206 Talley Way, Kelso, WA) with a new 8' tall expanded metal mesh security fence set in dig-resistant concrete curbing, topped with barbed wire and razor wire, and bonded to an expanded underground ground grid. Includes two new 20' vehicle gates.

CRITICAL DEADLINES & MILESTONES

• Pre-bid meeting: July 30, 2026, 2:00 p.m.
• Bids due: August 12, 2026, 2:00 p.m.
• Contract award (Board of Commissioners): August 25, 2026
• Begin work: September 14, 2026, or once materials are available
• Complete work: December 17, 2026
• Prevailing wage rates locked to August 12, 2026

HIGH-RISK ITEMS & UNUSUAL TERMS

• Mandatory pre-bid attendance with automatic disqualification for no-shows
• "Sole judgment" bid rejection clause gives District broad, largely unreviewable discretion
• CGL insurance must continue 2 years post-completion with annual certificates
• Vendor must field-verify/design corner and gate post bracing post-award (pricing risk)
• Live substation work requires PUD Safety Watch supervision at all times
• Grounding deadlines: temporary fencing grounded within 24 hours; new permanent fence segments within 1 week
• Weekly debris cleanup and dust/concrete washout restrictions
• 45-day insurance cancellation notice requirement
• Time is of the essence — tight ~3-month construction window over fall/winter

KEY FINANCIAL TERMS

• Retainage: 5% of each payment (before sales tax), released upon final acceptance and state releases
• Payment terms: Net 30 days from invoice receipt; progress payments limited to work completed to date
• Liquidated damages: Not found in documents
• Allowances: Not found in documents
• Sales tax and retention must be itemized separately on invoices

OWNER-FURNISHED vs CONTRACTOR-FURNISHED

• Owner-furnished: Fence/gate signage (installed by Contractor)
• Contractor-furnished: All fencing materials, labor, equipment, tools, ground grid conductors/rods, concrete, temporary fencing, licensed electrician for grounding connections