Pinellas County Opengov #27-0075-RFQ-DB

Design-build a 5 MW-integrated microgrid and power distribution system for Pinellas County’s Solid Waste Disposal Complex

Pinellas County is seeking a design-build team to create a resilient microgrid and centralized power distribution system for its Solid Waste Disposal Complex in St. Petersburg, Florida. - Government buyer: Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners, Pinellas County Government; Solid Waste Department. The attachment also identifies Purchasing and Risk Management Division and Building Design and Construction. - Named utility/vendor: Duke Energy, the existing electric utility. The floating-PV supplier is referenced but not named. No equipment manufacturers or OEMs are identified. - Requested system: Integrate the Waste-to-Energy facility, utility services, and an approximately 5 MW floating solar photovoltaic array to serve County facilities and site operations. Replace existing utility services and transformers with centralized microgrid distribution. - Major equipment and infrastructure: 13.8 kV medium-voltage switchgear and distribution, a microgrid controller, an elevated switchgear building, PV inverters and step-up transformers, other transformers, overhead and underground distribution, service meters, and at least two portable-generator connections. - Notable technical requirements: Switchgear must receive at least two Waste-to-Energy circuits, two utility circuits, and two PV circuits, with at least three distribution circuit loops. The identified switchgear configurations include SWGR-1B and SWGR-1C with at least three medium-voltage breakers each, and SWGR-2 with at least 16. The controller must support at least seven operating modes; PV inverters must provide four-quadrant control and grid-forming and grid-following capability. - Design-build services: Site investigation, metering, surveying, geotechnical work, multidisciplinary design, interconnection studies, permitting, cost estimating, value engineering, constructability review, operations and construction sequencing plans, and a Guaranteed Maximum Price proposal. Phase 1 includes design through 50% construction documents and a lump-sum proposal; Phase 2, if authorized, includes final design, permitting, and construction. - Construction and closeout: Procure and install the building and electrical infrastructure; perform power-system studies, protective-relay work, testing, startup, commissioning, operator training, and provide operation and maintenance manuals, record drawings, certifications, and warranty services. Coordinate utility equipment removal and outages with Duke Energy. - Key execution requirements: Maintain County operations and access during construction; coordinate tie-ins and sequencing; elevate the switchgear building above the 500-year floodplain, with pad-mounted transformers at least two feet above the flood elevation; comply with applicable Florida Building Code, NEC, NESC, FM Global, IEEE, and other requirements. System testing is specified for at least 60 days. Florida-licensed design-build and engineering professionals are required.

Description

Pinellas County seeks a qualified design-build team to design and construct a resilient microgrid at the County Solid Waste Disposal Complex in St. Petersburg. The system will integrate the existing Waste-to-Energy facility, an estimated 5 MW floating solar array, and electric utility services, including a new elevated switchgear building and overhead and underground distribution infrastructure. Work includes site investigations, engineering and design, interconnection studies and permitting, construction, commissioning, and operator training. Statements of Qualifications are due December 1, 2026; the solicitation states no estimated contract value.

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