CONTRACT UC1866 INCOME QUALIFIED DUCTED AND DUCTLESS COLD CLIMATE HEAT PUMP PROGRAM 2027/2028

Description: Prospective Bidders: Cowlitz PUD invites your bid for the supply and installation of ducted and ductless cold climate heat pump systems to residences throughout Cowlitz County, Washington. Sealed bids are due before 2:30 p.m. on November 18, 2026. Bids shall be marked "Sealed Bid - Contract UC1866, 2027-2028 Cold Climate Heat Pump Program" and delivered to Cowlitz PUD, Sealed Bids, 961 12th Avenue, P.O. Box 3007, Longview, WA 98632. All bids must be submitted on the enclosed Bid Form and shall be accompanied by bid security in the form of a bid bond or cashier's check in an amount not less than 5% the total bid. Addenda, if any, will be posted to the Cowlitz PUD website bid documents page one week prior to the bid due date. If you have any questions, you may contact Jennifer Langdon, Energy Efficiency Manager, at (360) 501-9392, jlangdon@cowlitzpud.org. Advertisement for Bids: Public Utility District No. 1 of Cowlitz County (Cowlitz PUD) is seeking bids for the supply and installation of ducted or ductless cold climate heat pump systems in single or multifamily residences within Cowlitz County, Washington throughout 2027 and 2028, as detailed in the specifications on file and available on Cowlitz PUD's bid documents. Bids must be submitted to Cowlitz PUD, Attention: Sealed Bids, 961 12th Avenue, P. O. Box 3007, Longview, Washington 98632 before 2:30 p.m. on November 18, 2026, and will then and there be publicly opened. Bids shall be sealed and clearly marked "Sealed Bid - Cold Climate Heat Pump Program, Contract UC1866" 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 of the total bid amount. 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 review bid documents at Cowlitz PUD's bid documents page. BID PACKET / INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS (selected highlights): 1. SCOPE OF WORK: The Contractor shall provide labor, material, tools, and equipment necessary to supply and install a ducted or ductless cold climate heat pump system in single or multifamily residences within Cowlitz County throughout 2027 and 2028. All work will be performed in accordance with the Detailed Scope of Work, attached as Exhibit A. 2. SCHEDULE (key dates): Bids Due: November 18, 2026 by 2:30 p.m.; Contract Award: December 8, 2026; Contract Start: January 4, 2027; Contract End: December 31, 2028. 3. CONTRACTOR ELIGIBILITY: Washington State law requires certain training prior to bidding or performing work on public works projects (Washington State Department of Labor & Industries). Contractors with three or more years in business and three or more public works projects may be exempt. To bid on this project, your company must have record of performing the training or qualify for the exemption. 4. CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS: Successful contractor must have experience working directly with WA State Department of Commerce HEAR grant funding program; demonstrate sound HVAC commissioning practices similar to BPA's past PTCS program; ability to complete at least five ducted or ductless heat pump installs in one week; experience managing and completing installation of ductless heat pumps in multifamily, multistory complexes with at least 50 units. 5. CONTRACTOR'S BID: Sealed bids are due by 2:30 p.m. on November 18, 2026, and may be submitted by mail or otherwise delivered to Sealed Bids, Cowlitz PUD, 961 12th Avenue, P.O. Box 3007, Longview, WA 98632. Bids must be clearly marked "Sealed Bid - Contract UC1866 Cold Climate Heat Pump 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 equal to five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid proposed. The prospective Bidder's Proposal shall consist of: Completed Bid Form (Exhibit B); AHRI certificate for proposed ducted and ductless cold climate heat pumps; Equipment specification documentation; Warranty documentation of all proposed HVAC equipment; Bid Bond or certified check. 6. BID EVALUATION AND AWARD: Evaluation based on the lowest, most responsive, and responsible bid. District reserves right to accept or reject any or all parts of any bid; to reject any bidder who in sole judgment may not perform acceptable work; and to waive irregularities. Award to be made on or about December 8, 2026. 7. CONTRACT DOCUMENTS: Post-award requirements include Certificate of Insurance meeting Exhibit D requirements and Performance Bond for 100% of the estimated contract price. 8. PUBLIC WORKS AND PREVAILING WAGE: All work is considered Public Works. Contractor shall comply with prevailing wage laws and monthly certified payroll reporting requirements. Prevailing wage rates in effect on November 18, 2026 for Cowlitz County will apply. EXHIBIT A (Detailed Scope of Work, selected items): Cowlitz PUD seeks one licensed HVAC/Electrical contractor to supply and install ducted or ductless cold climate heat pump systems into income eligible single-family, manufactured, duplex, or multi-family residences and upgrade electrical panels/wiring as required (electrical panel upgrades allowed only where new HVAC equipment relies on it). This program is supported by Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) grant funding from Washington's Climate Commitment Act. Contractors must perform work in accordance with applicable terms of Cowlitz PUD's Contract with Department of Commerce. The current grant funds are to be used by June 30, 2027; the program may continue thereafter with traditional funding. Equipment sizing requests: For ductless systems: options for 1 Ton (12,000 BTU) one head; 1.25 Ton (15,000 BTU) one head; 1.5 Ton (18,000 BTU) one head; 2 Ton (24,000 BTU) one head. For ducted systems: options for 3 Ton (36,000 BTU) and 4 Ton (48,000 BTU). Cowlitz PUD's goal: installation of 20 ducted cold climate heat pumps and 60 ductless cold climate heat pumps in total. Electrical/panel upgrades only where necessary. Installation, permitting, and standards: Contractors to obtain permits and complete inspections. Installations shall follow Comfort Ready Home Installer's Guide. All heat pumps must meet federal minimum efficiency standards and ENERGY STAR or AHRI CEE North Region Certified; specific efficiency metrics and COP requirements are listed in the bid documents. Air-source heat pumps must be listed on the applicable cold-climate product lists and meet current ENERGY STAR cold climate criteria. Equipment shall comply with current State refrigerant regulations; changes in regulation would be handled via change order. Contractors shall provide minimum ten-year warranty on equipment and a two-year warranty on labor to the customer and provide warranty/contact information on paper to the customer. Customer and contractor workflow: Cowlitz PUD will provide names and addresses for eligible customers. Contractor will have two weeks to schedule first site visit after receipt of customer information to identify proposed equipment and perform heat load calculation. Contractor to submit equipment proposal and any change order requests (including contract number, site address, proposed equipment, proposed electrical, percent markup no greater than 15% where managing a subcontractor, original subcontractor quotes). Upon approval, PUD will issue a change order. Contractor shall obtain permits, schedule installation with customer, install equipment, and submit rebate application to PUD including required documentation (Residential Rebate Application form, AHRI Certificate, Installation checklist, Equipment specification sheet, Warranty information, Invoice with contract and invoice numbers, cost breakdowns, pictures of installed equipment and nameplate information, permit number and proof of purchase date). Contractor to complete work including inspection within 60 days of first site visit; notify PUD if unable to set appointment in given time. Payment by PUD to contractor no later than six weeks after receipt of invoice with required documentation. PUD will hold 5% retention from all invoices until completion and required releases received from state agencies. Additional attachments (Exhibits B, C, D, Sample Contract and detailed program and grant attachments) provide bid form items, startup checklists, sample contract terms, performance bond, insurance and indemnification requirements, reporting obligations under the HEAR grant, and program workplan and budget information related to grant funding from Washington State Department of Commerce.