Request For Proposals Saint Paul Small Boat Harbor Utilities Expansion Project
For Economic Development Administration Grant 07-79-07871
December 8, 2025
Summary: The City of Saint Paul will receive sealed bids for all work required for the Small Boat Harbor Utilities Expansion project including demolition of the existing lift station and construction of a new lift station. Bids shall be on a stipulated lump sum basis.
To be considered, proposals must be received via email no later than January 30, 2026 no later than 1:00 pm Alaska Standard Time. Electronic proposals should be in a single PDF format and sent by email to pazavadil@stpaulak.com with the subject line “Bid to RFP 25-03.”
If you have any questions concerning this request, please contact Jodi Plante
at (907) 321-7663 or jodi@akml.org
| REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL SCHEDULE | |
| Release of RFP: | December 8, 2025 |
| Pre-Bid Conference: | January 5, 2026 at 9:00 am AST Join via Zoom meeting (clickable link to the meeting) Meeting ID: 898 0131 4743 |
| Questions Deadline: | January 9, 2026 |
| Proposals Due: | January 23, 2026 by 2:00 pm AST |
| Extended: Friday, January 30th at 1:00 p.m. AST. | |
| Public Opening of Bids: | Tuesday, February 3rd at 1:00 p.m. AST. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud on Tuesday, February 3rd at 1:00 p.m. AST via Zoom: |
| Review & Selection of Firm: | February 10, 2026 |
| Negotiation of Contract: | February 20, 2026 |
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Register to receive notice when details of this RFP are updated. |
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Question and Answer section for RFP 25-03
Questions:
Project Manager
Jodi Plante
Contracted Project Manager
jodi@akml.org
907-321-7663
RFP 25-03 Documents & Diagrams
A: The engineers do not recommend steel due to the harsh and corrosive environment conditions on steel. That’s why timber has been specified. Traditional wood frame construction and the specified materials last longer in our harsh marine environment. You can prefab and deliver to Saint Paul Island via barges. The City will not consider alternative materials unless they can provide significant cost savings with the same longevity as what is specified in the plans. (Revised 12/30/25)
A: There is an aerial photograph on the first page of the drawing set. You may also want to use Google Maps or Google Earth. However, there is not much there to see. You are better off taking a close look at the drawings, as they show everything necessary for the project.
A: Originally, no, the City had not scheduled a site visit or pre-bid conference. However, due to requests we have scheduled a pre-bid conference for Monday, January 5, 2026 at 9 am Alaska Standard Time. See the proposal schedule for the Zoom meeting link.
A: The City has scheduled a pre-bid conference for Monday, January 5, 2026 at 9 am Alaska Standard Time. See the proposal schedule for the Zoom meeting link.
A: No site-specific geotechnical investigation was completed. However, we contracted with a geophysical company to locate an old, buried seawall which is identified within the project area. The reports are included for reference.
A: There are above grade landscaping boulders in the project vicinity which are intended to be relocated per the project . There are no known bedrock outcroppings to our knowledge in the project area. Please email the Project Manager additional information or a graphic.
A: Yes, the schedule is correct in the Draft AIA. The period of performance is 365 days.
A: Yes, please proceed with the AIA documents containing a DRAFT watermark.
A: Specifications for materials include manufacturer’s warranty for hardware where a five year minimum is provided. The period for correction of work for the entire Project in it’s entirety is one year after substantial completion. The warranties for specific products are in addition to Article 18 CORRECTION OF WORK.
A: TDX has utility locate services available. The City has rental equipment available. Please see the “Master Rate Schedule” for available City equipment.
A: All easements have been acquired for the project. This was a requirement from the grant funding agency, Economic Development Administration, prior to publishing the RFP.
A: For every horizontal angle change along the water mainline, we anticipate a marker. Please see the “Pipe Angle Marker Table” for reference.
A: The engineers do not recommend steel due to the harsh and corrosive environment conditions on steel. That’s why timber has been specified. Traditional wood frame construction and the specified materials last longer in our harsh marine environment. You can prefab and deliver to Saint Paul Island via barges. The City will not consider alternative materials unless they can provide significant cost savings with the same longevity as what is specified in the plans.
A: See the answer to the previous question regarding materials for the pumphouse. Yes, prefab off-site and assembly on-site are permissible. (Revised 12/30/25)
A: Hip-roof would require re-design.
A: Out swinging doors in the winds of St. Paul is not recommended as the door could get ripped off the hinges and has potential to injure workers.
A: There is no existing lift station that is being demoed.
A: The specified fiberglass box pads have a built-in vault and so they will be partially buried.
A: Install per manufacturer’s instructions.
A: It is a 75kVA transformer.
A: It is a 3-phase transformer.
A: The feeder the demoed transformer is connected to can be fed from two directions. You will need to work with the local utility to isolate that section of the distribution system, and power is backfed on that feeder making backup generation unneeded. The contractor will be given that current power distribution system 1-line during construction so they can ensure where lockout provision needs to be made during splice work.
A: Yes, each MV cable is in its own HDPE conduit.
A: Yes, the basis for design is the IEI Labs controller as called out on the drawings and functionality called out in the specifications. The other key SCADA requirement is that the new equipment needs to be integrated into the SCADA and lift stations that are currently under construction and use this equipment.
A: Yes, but it must be schedule 80. And yes concrete.
A: The RS poles that are in the plans come in 2 sections. We have used these in the past. We just use our Lull extended boom forklift to attach the second section and hang the mounts light. It has a 50’ reach. To dig the holes, we have used either our New Holland backhoe or Cat 309 excavator. The excavator has an auger attachment for it.
A: Sheet notes 1 and 5 on page E102 states this information.
A: Yes, that would be an acceptable installation.
A: The basic wind speed of 170 mph shall be used for the design (the VASD of 132 mph is not applicable).
A: Our recommendation is to use the current approved design to avoid redesign fees, time & additional costs. The City has already obtained ADEC Approval to Construct for this project and the period of performance ends in 2027.
A: The utility spec section 337116 for this project calls out wood poles. Additionally, electrical drawing E-102 sheet notes 1 & 5 call out wood poles to be used. A composite pole can be used but it must be able to use the lighting mount that is called out (Utility Metals #W4-P-10-13) or a similar mount.
A: Yes, we intended to have fencing around the wet well in approximately 37 linear feet. There should also be a walk gate included.
A: The City will not be responsible for any third-party testing. The City reserves the right to do additional testing as deemed necessary at their expense.
A: Sheet E-302 labeled Hazardous Location Details should only be used to identify classified locations around the wet well. This sheet does not show actual construction details for the wet well. Refer the appropriate civil and mechanical drawings for construction details of the wet well.
A: See specification and general drawing notes. In addition:
- Special inspections are required in accordance with IBC section 1704, for soils, concrete, and lateral force resisting system.
- Concrete: Air, slump, and w/c for each daily pour, meeting the approved mix design. Minimum three cylinders with 1 14-day and 2 28-day breaks.
- Rebar should be visually inspected for the foundation of the lift station.
A: See Section 312323. Additionally, the subgrade needs to be compacted to unyielding. Visual inspection is sufficient.
A: See Section 312323. Compaction testing one foot per 300-feet or one foot per trench, whichever is shorter.
A: One test per 300 feet, or one per trench if shorter. Non-structural fill locations (e.g. outside building footprints or under road) is 90-percent compaction and can be inspected visually. Allowable testing methods are found in reference standards of Section 312323. A roll pattern plan can be developed and submitted at the beginning of the project. This can be done in lieu of compaction testing, but roll patterns would have to be documented and submitted as approved in the roll pattern plan.
A: See specifications for pressure testing. Under Site Sanitary Sewerage Gravity Piping we show ASTM F1417-11A. Force Main needs to be done under ASTM F2164- Field Leak Testing of PE Pressure Piping Systems. This will be added by addendum prior to signing the contract.
A: Each field-weld should be visually inspected. Contract will need to submit welder certification and welding log.
- Utility grades?
- A: Not required or not stated in specifications. Red lines to show actual invert elevations.
- MJ’s?
- A: Per manufacturer instructions.
- Thrust blocks pre- backfill?
- A: Not stated in specifications or drawings.
- Visual of hydrants or other?
- A: Yes. Each component of the project should be checked for quality per specification requirements as shown in drawings and specifications.
A: In house is acceptable. Document and report inspection findings to Engineer of Record and Owner.
A: No special plumbing inspection required beyond standard installation verification. The only requirement is a basic functional performance test after installation to ensure the louvers and heaters function properly.
A: The medium voltage terminations will require a VLF (Very Low Frequency) Test. Follow specifications for required testing.
A: No pressure testing or third-party certification is required for the mechanical equipment within the pump house. The pumps are factory tested, certified, and pre-run prior to delivery. Following installation, the only field requirement is a basic functional performance test to verify proper operation of the pumps, floats, and associated pump controls.
| Answer has been edited since originally posted. |