Substation Retrofits

TACOMA POWER/TRANSMISSION & DISTRIBUTION
REQUEST FOR BIDS
SUBSTATION RETROFIT
SPECIFICATION NO. PT26-0045F
Request for Bids Specification No. PT26-0045F
Template Revised: 07/23/2023

City of Tacoma
Tacoma Power/Transmission & Distribution
REQUEST FOR BIDS PT26-0045F
Substation Retrofits
Submittal Deadline: 11:00 a.m., Pacific Time, Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Submittals must be received by the City's Procurement and Payables Division by 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time.
For electronic submittals, the City of Tacoma will designate the time of receipt recorded by our email server, as
the official time of receipt. This clock will be used as the official time of receipt of all parts of electronic bid
submittals. Include the specification number in the subject line of your email. Your submittal must be sent as
an attachment, links to your electronic submittal will not be accepted.
For in person submittals, the City of Tacoma will designate the time of receipt recorded by the timestamp
located at the lobby security desk, as the official time of receipt. Include the specification number on the
outside of the sealed envelope. Late submittals will be returned unopened and rejected as non-responsive.
Submittal Delivery: Sealed submittals will be received as follows:
By Email: In Person:
sendbid@cityoftacoma.org Tacoma Public Utilities Administration Building North,
Maximum email size including attachments: 35 MB. Main Floor, Lobby Security Desk
Multiple emails may be sent for each submittal. 3628 South 35th Street
Tacoma, WA 98409
Note: Email may pass through multiple servers before arriving Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
at its destination. Please allow sufficient time for email delivery
of submittals. Timely electronic delivery is at the risk of the
supplier.
Bid Opening: Submittals must be received by the City's Procurement and Payables Division prior to 11:00
a.m. Pacific Time. Sealed submittals in response to a RFB will be opened Tuesday's at 11:15 a.m. by a
purchasing representative and read aloud during a public bid opening held at the Tacoma Public Utilities
Administrative Building North, 3628 S. 35th Street, Tacoma, WA 98409, conference room M-1, located on the
main floor. They will also be held virtually Tuesday's at 11:15 a.m. Attend a Zoom meeting via this link or call 1
(253) 215 8782, using meeting ID # 884 0268 0573, passcode # 070737.
Submittals in response to an RFP, RFQ or RFI will be recorded as received, but not read at bid opening. As
soon as possible, after 1:00 PM, on the day of submittal deadline, preliminary results will be posted to
www.TacomaPurchasing.org.
If you believe your submittal was sent timely and was not read at bid opening, please contact
sendbid@cityoftacoma.org immediately.
Solicitation Documents: An electronic copy of the complete solicitation documents may be viewed and
obtained by accessing the City of Tacoma Purchasing website at www.TacomaPurchasing.org.
* Register for the Bid Holders List to receive notices of addenda, questions and answers and related updates.
* Click here to see a list of vendors registered for this solicitation.
Pre-Proposal Meeting: A pre-proposal meeting may be held. RSVP is required. See Item 8 of bid documents
for details. The pre-proposal meeting will be starting @ 8am and should last approximately an hour. A NDA
Waiver will be required to be signed prior to receiving detailed information about the pre-proposal meeting.
Please see Appendix C for this document.
Project Scope: The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, testing and disposal services necessary to
install deep vertical ground electrodes at various locations within the substation site. This includes drilling
Form No. SPEC-040C Revised: 06/03/2024

boreholes up to 80 feet deep and 4-6 inches in diameter, placing ground rods, backfilling with a Ground
Enhancement Material (GEM), and proper handling and disposal of soil and water in compliance with
applicable environmental regulations. See the Scope of Work in Appendix A for detailed information.
Estimate: $150,000
Paid Sick Leave: The City of Tacoma requires all employers to provide paid sick leave in accordance with
State of Washington law.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA Information: The City of Tacoma, in accordance with Section 504 of
the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), commits to
nondiscrimination on the basis of disability, in all of its programs and activities. Specification materials can be
made available in an alternate format by emailing the contact listed below in the Additional Information section.
Title VI Information:
"The City of Tacoma" in accordance with provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, (78 Stat. 252, 42
U.S.C. sections 2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively
ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises
will be afforded full and fair opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated
against on the grounds of race, color, national origin in consideration of award.
Additional Information: Requests for information regarding the specifications may be obtained by contacting
Aaron Bratton by email to abratton@tacoma.gov.
Protest Policy: City of Tacoma protest policy, located at www.tacomapurchasing.org, specifies procedures for
protests submitted prior to and after submittal deadline.
Meeting sites are accessible to persons with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations for persons with
disabilities can be arranged with 48 hours advance notice by calling 253-502-8468.
Form No. SPEC-040C Revised: 06/03/2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS
REQUEST FOR BIDS ................................................................................................................ 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................ 4
SUBMITTAL CHECKLIST .......................................................................................................... 5
SPECIAL NOTICE TO BIDDERS ............................................................................................... 6
1. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS .............................................................................................10
2. CITY OF TACOMA GENERAL PROVISIONS ....................................................................10
3. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................................10
4. DESCRIPTION OF WORK ................................................................................................10
5. ANTICIPATED CONTRACT TERM ....................................................................................10
6. CALENDAR OF EVENTS ..................................................................................................11
7. RSVP TO MANDATORY PRE-BID MEETING ...................................................................11
8. MANDATORY PRE-BID MEETING....................................................................................11
9. DISCLAIMER .....................................................................................................................12
10. RESPONSIVENESS ..........................................................................................................12
11. AWARD .............................................................................................................................12
12. PREVAILING WAGE INFORMATION ................................................................................13
13. BID BONDS .......................................................................................................................14
14. PAYMENT AND PERFORMANCE BOND .........................................................................15
15. WARRANTY ......................................................................................................................15
16. INSPECTION .....................................................................................................................16
17. COMPLIANCE WITH SPECIFICATIONS ...........................................................................16
18. MATERIALS AND WORKMANSHIP ..................................................................................16
19. ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERABLE PROCUREMENT ...................................................16
20. LEAP REQUIREMENTS ....................................................................................................17
21. EQUITY IN CONTRACTING ..............................................................................................17
22. WASHINGTON APEX - DOCUMENT ASSISTANCE ........................................................17
APPENDIX A ............................................................................................................................18
APPENDIX B ............................................................................................................................83
APPENDIX C ............................................................................................................................92
Request for Bids Specification No. PT26-0045F
Template Revised: 07/23/2023

SUBMITTAL CHECKLIST
This checklist identifies items to be included with your submittal. Any submittal received
without these required items may be deemed non-responsive and not be considered for
award. Submittals must be received by the City of Tacoma Purchasing Division by the
date and time specified in the Request for Bids page.
The following items make up your complete electronic submittal
package (include all the items below):
Signature Page (Appendix B)
To be filled in and executed by a duly authorized officer or representative of the bidding entity.
If the bidder is a subsidiary or doing business on behalf of another entity, so state, and provide
the firm name under which business is hereby transacted.
Price Proposal Forms (Appendix B) This consists of the following pages:
* Vendor Qualification
* Pricing Sheet
* List of Equipment
The unit prices bid must be shown in the space provided. Check your computations for
omissions and errors.
Bid Bond (Appendix B)
Certification of Compliance with Wage Payment Statutes (Appendix B)
Bidder shall complete this form in its entirety to ensure compliance with state legislation (SHB
2017).
State Responsibility and Reciprocal Bid Preference Information (Appendix B)
Bidder shall complete this form in its entirety to ensure compliance with state legislation (SHB
2010).
Record of Prior Contracts (Appendix B)
After award, the following documents will be executed:
City of Tacoma Contract (See sample in Appendix C)
Must be executed by the successful bidder.
Certificate of Insurance and related endorsements (Appendix A)
Shall be submitted with all required endorsements
Payment and Performance Bonds (See samples in Appendix C)
Payment Bond and Performance Bond: Must be executed by the successful bidder and his/her surety
company
Retainage Bond (Section 4.05.4).
If it is the option of the awardee to use a retainage bond in place of the holding of retainage per invoice
the bond must be submitted with the contract forms.
Intent to Pay Prevailing Wage (Section 3.08B & 4.12).
To be filed with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.
Request for Bids Specification No. PT26-0045F
Template Revised: 07/23/2023

SPECIAL NOTICE TO BIDDERS
Public works and improvement projects for the City of Tacoma are subject to Washington state
law and Tacoma Municipal Code, including, but not limited to the following:
I. STATE OF WASHINGTON
A. RESPONSIBILITY CRITERIA - STATE OF WASHINGTON
In order to be considered a responsible bidder the bidder must meet the following mandatory
state responsibility criteria contained in RCW 39.04.350:
1. Have a current certificate of registration as a contractor in compliance with chapters
18.27 RCW,18.106 RCW, 70.87 RCW, 19.28 RCW, which must have been in effect
at the time of bid submittal;
2. Have a current Washington Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number;
3. If applicable:
a. Have Industrial Insurance (workers' compensation) coverage for the bidder's
employees working in Washington, as required in Title 51 RCW;
b. Have a Washington Employment Security Department number, as required in
Title 50 RCW;
c. Have a Washington Department of Revenue state excise tax registration number,
as required in Title 82 RCW and;
4. Not be disqualified from bidding on any public works contract under RCW 39.06.010
(unlicensed or unregistered contractors) or 39.12.065(3) (prevailing wage).
5. Have received training on the requirements related to public works and prevailing
wage under this chapter and chapter 39.12 RCW and must designate a person or
persons to be trained on these requirements. The training must be provided by the
department of labor and industries or by a training provider whose curriculum is
approved by the department. Bidders that have completed three or more public
works projects and have had a valid business license in Washington for three or
more years are exempt from this subsection.
B. RECIPROCAL PREFERENCE FOR RESIDENT CONTRACTORS:
Effective March 30, 2012, RCW 39.04.380 imposes a reciprocal preference for resident
contractors. Any bid received from a non-resident contractor from a state that provides an in-
state percentage bidding preference is subject application of a comparable percentage
disadvantage.
A non-resident contractor from a state that provides an in-state percentage bidding preference
means a contractor that:
1. Is from a state that provides a percentage bid preference to its resident contractors
bidding on public works projects, and
2. Does not have a physical office located in Washington at the time of bidding on the
City of Tacoma public works project.
Request for Bids Specification No. PT26-0045F
Template Revised: 07/23/2023

The state of residence for a non-resident contractor is the state in which the contractor was
incorporated, or if not a corporation, the state in which the contractor's business entity was
formed.
The City of Tacoma will evaluate all non-resident contractors for an out of state bidder
preference. If the state of the non-resident contractor provides an in state contractor preference,
a comparable percentage disadvantage will be applied to the non-resident contractor's bid prior
to contract award. The responsive and lowest and best responsible bidder after application of
any non-resident disadvantage will be awarded the contract.
The reciprocal preference evaluation does not apply to public works procured pursuant to RCW
39.04.155, RCW 39.04.280, federally funded competitive solicitations where such agencies
prohibit the application of bid preferences, or any other procurement exempt from competitive
bidding.
Bidders must provide the City of Tacoma with their state of incorporation or the state in which
the business entity was formed and include whether the bidder has a physical office located in
Washington.
The bidder shall submit documentation demonstrating compliance with above criteria on the
enclosed State Responsibility and Reciprocal Bidder Information form.
C. SUBCONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITY
1. The Contractor shall include the language of this subcontractor responsibility section in
each of its first tier subcontracts, and shall require each of its subcontractors to include
the same language of this section in each of their subcontracts, adjusting only as
necessary the terms used for the contracting parties. The requirements of this section
apply to all subcontractors regardless of tier.
2. At the time of subcontract execution, the Contractor shall verify that each of its first tier
subcontractors meets the following bidder responsibility criteria:
a. Have a current certificate of registration as a contractor in compliance with
chapter 18.27 RCW, which must have been in effect at the time of subcontract
bid submittal;
b. Have a current Washington Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number;
c. If applicable, have:
i. Industrial Insurance (workers' compensation) coverage for the bidder's
employees working in Washington, as required in Title 51 RCW;
ii. A Washington Employment Security Department number, as required in
Title 50 RCW;
iii. A Washington Department of Revenue state excise tax registration
number, as required in Title 82 RCW;
iv. An electrical contractor license, if required by Chapter 19.28 RCW;
v. An elevator contractor license, if required by Chapter 70.87 RCW and;
3. Not be disqualified from bidding on any public works contract under RCW 39.06.010
(unlicensed or unregistered contractors) or 39.12.065(3) (prevailing wage).
Request for Bids Specification No. PT26-0045F
Template Revised: 07/23/2023

II. CITY OF TACOMA
A. SUPPLEMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY CRITERIA - CITY OF TACOMA:
In order to be considered a responsible bidder, the prospective bidder shall have all of the
following qualifications set forth in Tacoma Municipal Code 1.06.262:
1. Adequate financial resources or the ability to secure such resources;
2. The necessary experience, stability, organization and technical qualifications to perform
the proposed contract;
3. The ability to comply with the required performance schedule, taking into consideration
all existing business commitments;
4. A satisfactory record of performance, integrity, judgment and skills; and
5. Be otherwise qualified and eligible to receive an award under applicable laws and
regulations.
a. Bidder Responsibility. Bidders shall not be in violation of 39.04.350 RCW Bidder
Responsibility Criteria - Supplemental Criteria.
In addition to the mandatory bidder responsibility criteria listed immediately above, the City may,
in addition to price, consider any or all of the following criteria contained in Tacoma Municipal
Code Chapter 1.06.262 in determining bidder responsibility:
1. The ability, capacity, experience, stability, technical qualifications and skill of the
respondent to perform the contract;
2. Whether the respondent can perform the contract within the time specified, without delay
or interference;
3. Integrity, reputation, character, judgment, experience, and efficiency of the respondents,
including past compliance with the City's Ethics Code;
4. Quality of performance of previous contracts;
5. Previous and existing compliance with laws and ordinances relating to contracts or
services;
6. Sufficiency of the respondent's financial resources;
7. Quality, availability, and adaptability of the supplies, purchased services or public works
to the particular use required;
8. Ability of the respondent to provide future maintenance and service on a timely basis;
9. Payment terms and prompt pay discounts;
10. The number and scope of conditions attached to the submittal;
11. Compliance with all applicable City requirements, including but not limited to the City's
Ethics Code and its Small Business Enterprise and Local Employment and
Apprenticeship programs;
12. Other qualification criteria set forth in the specification or advertisement that the
appropriate department or division head determines to be in the best interests of the
City.
The City may require bidders to furnish information, sworn or certified to be true, to demonstrate
compliance with the City responsibility criteria set forth above. If the city manager or director of
Request for Bids Specification No. PT26-0045F
Template Revised: 07/23/2023

utilities is not satisfied with the sufficiency of the information provided, or if the prospective
respondent does not substantially meet all responsibility requirements, any submittal from such
respondent must be disregarded.
B. ADDITIONAL SUPPLEMENTAL CRITERIA
See Minimum Requirements section
C. MODIFICATIONS TO SUPPLEMENTAL CRITERIA
Potential bidders may request modifications to the City's supplemental criteria by submitting a
written request to the Purchasing Division via email to bids@cityoftacoma.org no later than 5:00
p.m. Pacific Time, three days prior to the submittal deadline. Please include the Specification
No. and Title when submitting such requests. Requests must include justification for why certain
criteria should be modified. Requests received after this date and time will not be considered.
The City will respond to a timely submitted request prior to the bid opening date. Changes to the
supplemental criteria, if warranted, will be issued by addendum to the solicitation documents
and posted to the City's website for the attention of all prospective bidders.
D. DETERMINATION OF BIDDER RESPONSIBILITY
If the City determines the bidder does not meet the criteria above and is therefore not a
responsible bidder, the City shall notify the bidder in writing with the reasons for its
determination. If the bidder disagrees, the bidder may appeal the determination in a manner
consistent with the City's Protest Policy. Appeals are coordinated by the Purchasing Division
heard by the Procurement and Payables Division manager for contracts less than or equal to
$500,000 and by Contracts and Awards Board for contracts greater than $500,000.
Request for Bids Specification No. PT26-0045F
Template Revised: 07/23/2023

1. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
To be considered qualified to respond, potential vendors must:
* Have a current contractors license in the state of Washington
* Have five (5) years of demonstrated experience in drilling and installation of deep
grounding electrodes in energized or high-risk utility environments
* Be able to provide specialized equipment and operators for vertical drilling
* Have experience with GEM products
* Have experience in dealing with subsurface water
* Have experience in testing, removal, and appropriate handling procedures of
contaminated and non-contaminated soils
* Personnel experienced with utility safety procedures
2. CITY OF TACOMA GENERAL PROVISIONS
City of Tacoma General Provisions apply.
3. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
Successful proposer will provide proof of and maintain the insurance coverage in the amounts
and in the manner specified in the City of Tacoma Insurance Requirements contained in this
solicitation. (See Appendix A)
4. DESCRIPTION OF WORK
The City of Tacoma (City) / Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) is soliciting bids to establish one or
more contracts with qualified vendors to fulfill the City's needs for deep vertical ground
electrodes for various substation retrofits. Contract(s) will be awarded to the lowest responsive
and responsible bidder(s) based on price, product quality and availability.
5. ANTICIPATED CONTRACT TERM
Contract term is until December 31, 2026.
Request for Bids Specification No. PT26-0045F
Template Revised: 07/23/2023