CONTRACT UC1865 INCOME QUALIFIED HEAT PUMP WATER HEATER PROGRAM RFP

Description: PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 1 of Cowlitz County, Washington November 3, 2026 Prospective Bidders: Cowlitz PUD invites your bid to provide labor, material, tools, and equipment necessary to supply and install Cowlitz PUD-provided heat pump water heaters to income-qualified residences in Cowlitz County, Washington. Installations shall be completed throughout 2027 and 2028. See attached bid documents for detailed information. Sealed bids along with required bid security are due before 2:00 p.m. on November 18, 2026, marked "Sealed Bid - Contract UC1865, 2027-2028 Heat Pump Water Heater Program" and must be delivered to the attention of: Sealed Bids, Cowlitz PUD, 961 12th Avenue, PO Box 3007, Longview, WA 98632. Please contact Jen Langdon at (360) 501-9392, jlangdon@cowlitzpud.org with questions concerning the work. Questions regarding contract terms, prevailing wage requirements, etc. may be directed to Stacie Pederson at (360) 501-9554, spederson@cowlitzpud.org. Advertisement for Bids Notice is hereby given that Public Utility District No. 1 of Cowlitz County (Cowlitz PUD) is seeking bids to install heat pump water heaters in residences in Cowlitz County, Washington, as detailed in the specifications on file and available on Cowlitz PUD's website. Bids must be submitted to Cowlitz PUD, Attention: Sealed Bids, 961 12th Avenue, P.O. Box 3007, Longview, Washington 98632 before 2:00 p.m., November 18, 2026, and will then and there be publicly opened. Bids shall be sealed and clearly marked "Sealed Bid - Contract No. UC1865, 2027-2028 Heat Pump Water Heater Program," and show the date and time of bid opening. Bid security is required in the form of a Bid Bond, Cashier's Check or Certified Check in an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the total amount of the bid proposed. Any bidder may withdraw their bid either in person or by written request at any time prior to the time set for the bid opening. Cowlitz PUD reserves the right to accept or reject any or all parts of any bid received; to reject the bid of any bidder who, in the sole judgment of Cowlitz PUD, may not perform work acceptable to Cowlitz PUD; and to waive any irregularities in the bids. Interested Contractors may obtain a bid packet on Cowlitz PUD's website. CONTRACT UC1865 INCOME QUALIFIED HEAT PUMP WATER HEATER PROGRAM - BID PACKET INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS (selection of key provisions) 1. SCOPE OF WORK: The Contractor shall provide all labor, material, tools, and equipment necessary to install heat pump water heater systems (including venting where necessary) to residences within Cowlitz County throughout 2027 and 2028, in accordance with the Detailed Scope of Work, attached as Exhibit A. Contractor shall bid installation only (including permit costs). Cowlitz PUD will supply the water heaters. Contractor shall supply seismic straps and other associated sundry materials including code required expansion tanks and removal and disposal of old water tank. 2. SCHEDULE: Bids Due: November 18, 2026; Contract Award: December 8, 2026; Begin Work: January 4, 2027. 3. CONTRACTOR ELIGIBILITY: Washington State law requires certain training prior to bidding or performing work on public works projects; contractors must comply or qualify for an exemption as described in the bid documents. 4. CONTRACTOR'S BID: Sealed bids are due by 2:00 p.m. on November 18, 2026, and may be submitted by mail or otherwise delivered to the attention of Sealed Bids, Cowlitz PUD, 961 12th Avenue, P.O. Box 3007, Longview, WA 98632. Bids must be clearly marked "Sealed Bid - Contract UC1865, 2027-2028 Heat Pump Water Heater Program". All bids must be submitted on the provided Bid Form. Bid security is required in the form of a Bid Bond, Cashier's Check, or Certified Check in an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid proposed. The prospective Bidder's Proposal shall consist of the Completed Bid Form attached as Exhibit B and the Bid Bond or certified check. 5. BID EVALUATION AND AWARD: Evaluation based on lowest, most responsive, and responsible bid. Award anticipated on or about December 8, 2026. 6. CONTRACT DOCUMENTS: Upon award, Contractor must submit: signed Contractor's Agreement (sample Exhibit D), Certificate of Insurance per Exhibit D, Performance Bond for 100% of estimated contract price or agree to 10% retention in lieu of performance bond. All work is public works and subject to prevailing wage laws and monthly certified payroll reporting; prevailing wage rates in effect on November 18, 2026 for Cowlitz County will apply. EXHIBIT A - Detailed Scope of Work (summary of key points) - Cowlitz PUD seeks a licensed plumbing contractor to install BPA Tier 4 50-gallon heat pump water heaters (HPWH) in single and/or multi-family residences; venting allowed where necessary. Program funded in part by Climate Commitment Act grant funding through the State HEAR program; current grant funds to be used by June 30, 2027, with anticipated continuation using other funding once grant funds are exhausted. - Contractor responsible for permits and inspections; all HPWH units will be provided by Cowlitz PUD and must meet minimum UEF and warranty requirements. Installation details include mounting on foam pad for concrete floors, use of isolation grommets on seismic straps, replacement of all water flexes, two-year labor warranty by Contractor, and removal/disposal of existing water heater at customer discretion. - Cowlitz PUD will preview homes for fit and provide customer contact information and delivery of HPWH units to Contractor. Eligible homes include owner-occupied, tenant-occupied, site built, manufactured, duplex, or multifamily homes with an existing electric storage tank water heater within Cowlitz County. - Change order requests procedures and required contents are specified; venting where required may be handled via change orders. - Contractor shall obtain permits, schedule installations, install equipment, and submit rebate application to PUD including required documentation (Residential Rebate Application form, invoice with contract number and invoice number, customer name/address, equipment model number, change order numbers if applicable, sales tax calculation, retainage amount, warranty info, photos, permit number and proof of purchase date). - Contractor will have two weeks to schedule an appointment after receiving customer information and must complete work and inspection within 60 days of receiving the customer's information. Submit invoice and rebate form within 60 days of completion. Payment provided no later than six weeks after submission of invoice and rebate form; PUD will hold 5% retention until contract completion and required releases are received. Additional Exhibits and Attachments describe bid form, rebate form and program terms and conditions, sample contract (Exhibit D), and Cowlitz PUD's interagency contract with the Washington State Department of Commerce for the State HEAR program. The program scope, funding, reporting, auditing, eligible equipment and applicant eligibility criteria, and administrative requirements are detailed in the Commerce contract and attachments. The contract with Commerce identifies grant funding, program priorities, deliverables, reporting and invoicing procedures, and compliance requirements related to the State Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) program. (Full bid documents, exhibits, and contract attachments are included in the bid packet provided by Cowlitz PUD.)