Request for Industry Input for SLAC Critical Electrical Systems Improvements Project

BACKGROUND

SLAC recognize the need to pivot on the approach of the Critical Utilities Infrastructure Revitalization (CUIR) – Subproject 1: Critical Electrical Systems Improvements Project. To improve the overall Subproject 1 procurement approach, SLAC seeks additional industry input.

PLANNED SCOPE

Subproject 1: Critical Electrical System Improvement Project includes the following scope, as presented in the attached Preliminary Design Report.

SCOPE 1: Master Substation Improvements

• Scope 1-1 Master Substation Improvement – Building Expansion (Base)
• Scope 1-2 Transformer T-1 Replacement (Base)
• Scope 1-3 Transformer T-2 Replacement (Additive 1)
• Scope 1-4 Trigger Current Limiters Installation (Additive 2)

SCOPE 2: Linac Power Distribution Systems Improvements

• Scope 2-1: Roof Mounted Cable Trays and CUIR1-4 Feeders Installation (Base)
• Scope 2-2: CUIR3 and CUIR4 Final Load Connections (Additive 3)
• Scope 2-3: CUIR5-8 Feeders Installation (Additive 4)
• Scope 2-4: CUIR5-8 Final Load Connections (Additive 5)

SCOPE 3: Sector 4 Switchgear Installation

• Scope 3: Sector 4 Switchgear Installation (Base)

REGROUPING OF UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS

SLAC is considering regrouping the planned scope into the following design-build procurement packages.

• [Package A] Linac Power Distribution System Improvements and Sector 4 Switchgear Installation, formerly Scopes 2 and 3 above. Package A will have a target RFP release in September 2024 and award by May 2025. Contract performance period for Package A is estimated to be between May 2025 to December 2027.
• [Package B] Master Substation Improvement, formerly Scope 1-1 above. Package B will have a target RFP release in November 2024 and award by July 2025. Contract performance period for Package B is estimated to be between September 2025 to March 2028.
• [Package C] Master Substation HV Transformers Replacement, formerly Scopes 1-2, 1-3 and 1-4. Contract performance period for Package C is estimated to be between July 2027 to November 2029. Due to the later start of Package C, the RFP will not be released in 2024.

The above design-build procurement package groupings are intended to:

1. Consolidate similar work scope together,
2. Reduce the required bonding capacity by keeping each subcontract under $25M  in order to encourage small business participation, and
3. Limit performance period of each package to no more than 3 years.    

Furthermore, to better understand construction workflow and verify Environmental, Safety and Health risks associated with [Package A] Power Distribution System Improvements, SLAC is planning a separate Roof-mounted Cable Tray System Constructability Verification project prior to release of the Package A RFP.   

REQUEST FOR INDUSTRY INPUT

The CUIR project is important for SLAC and the DOE. Therefore, SLAC would like to seek industry input on the following prior to release of the separated RFP packages for Subproject 1 Critical Electrical System Improvement Project work scopes. 

1. Which procurement package would your team be interested in participating in? For those you are not interested in participating in, why?
2. With separated and smaller packages, previously established incentives such as stipends and award fee plan may be reduced or removed. Will removal of these incentives affect your team’s decision to participate?
3. Should the scope be packaged differently? If yes, why?
4. What are the foreseeable barriers and challenges on responding to the separate procurement packages?
5. Would your team utilize information obtained from the separate Roof-mounted Cable Tray System Constructability Verification project? If yes, when is the best time to receive findings from this separate project?
6. Does your company have questions for SLAC?

SLAC will consider industry input received in the revised RFP packages. Please provide your response to John Azevedo at tigger@slac.stanford.edu and Catharina Bjelovitic cvb@slac.stanford.edu by 5pm  on July 24, 2024. Include your company’s name, local office address and point of contact (phone number and email address) as part of the response. We anticipate written responses to be no more than 4 pages long.

PRE-SOLICITATION DISLAIMER:

Please note that any responses to this pre-solicitation posting is purely on a voluntary basis. SLAC is not requesting a proposal nor any pricing or any other information that could be considered confidential or proprietary to be submitted in response to this posting or any part of this posting. Any submissions that contain pricing, proprietary information or confidential information will be discarded by SLAC.