Request for Expression of Interest for 25KV High Voltage Lines Replacement DCFI

1. English Description

DEFENCE CONSTRUCTION CANADA (DCC) – CL200002_CN83590 – 25KV High Voltage Lines Replacement (Power Grid Modernization) for DCFI and 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta.

Defence Construction Canada (DCC) invites general contractors to express their interest in providing all labour, materials, and equipment necessary to build a new 25KV underground high voltage power line replacement from DND-owned, existing substation (SUB-STN B651) on the base side of 4 Wing to both the TAC side and the Airfield.

This Request for Expression of Interest (RFEOI) is the first step of a two-step solicitation process, the second step being the Tender Phase. Only the general contractors who will have responded to this RFEOI will be invited to submit a bid during the Tender Phase.

Note, this RFEOI is being re-posted as there has been a change in the security requirements for this project. The previous RFEOI that posted on March 21, 2025, and closed on April 8, 2025, indicated the Contractor was required to hold at least a valid Designated Organization Screening (DOS) issued by Public Services and Procurement Canada’s (PSPC) Contract Security Program (CSP). This DOS security requirement for Contractors is no longer required.

Tenderers that submitted on the original RFEOI that posted on March 21, 2025, and closed on April 8, 2025, are not required to re-submit under this newly posted RFEOI dated August 12, 2025.

If Tenderers that submitted under the original RFEOI have any questions about their submission under the original RFEOI, they are encouraged to contact DCC’s Coordinator, Contract Services whose contact information can be found in the Electronic Bidding System.

DCC reserves the right to terminate this solicitation at the end of the RFEOI.

As part of Canada’s commitment to maximize the participation of Indigenous Businesses, bidders are advised that this solicitation includes an Indigenous Benefits Plan (IBP). The Contractor will have to include Indigenous businesses (or eligible joint ventures) as subcontractors or suppliers to this project. Further details will be provided in the Tender phase.

This solicitation is being conducted in accordance with the requirements set out in the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), Chapter Nineteen of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the World Trade Organization Agreement on Government Procurement (WTO-GPA).

2. Project background

The Defence of Canada Fighter Infrastructure (DCFI) Power Grid Modernization project is to construct a new 25KV underground High Voltage power line on the base side of 4 Wing to both the TAC side and the Airfield. The project is divided into four phases, however, only the first two phases are planned to advance currently to support FFCP/DCFI:

Phase 1 (basis of award):

• Main high voltage electrical distribution system from the existing Atco east substation to a new east switching station, through the existing switching station to the new west switching station.
• Concrete encased duct bank throughout.

Phase 2 (basis of award):

• New high voltage distribution system to the QRA, Waterleap area, TAC ramp, Hangarettes, and FSF tying into the phase 1 distribution system.
• Upgrade all distribution equipment for multiple buildings (approx. 13) throughout the base.
• Concrete encased duct bank throughout.

• High voltage feeds from phase 1 to the water/wastewater area
• Waterleap area connections to buildings

Phase 3 (future anticipated planned change order):

• Second Atco substation installation on the west side of base c/w overhead power lines to the west switching station. Construct a new 25KV underground High Voltage power line from DND-owned substation B651 on the base side of 4 Wing to both the TAC side and the Airfield

Phase 4 (future anticipated planned change order):

• Upgrade lighting throughout the Base- Medley, TAC, Waterleap, Kingsway, west switch station area

3. Documents

Technical plans and specifications are not available during this RFEOI and will be provided during the Tender Phase; however, the Standard Construction Contract Documents for Electronic Bidding, DCL 250E, are available on DCC’s website:
https://www.dcc-cdc.gc.ca/industry/forms

Tenderers are advised that this contract is subject to DCC’s Procurement Code of Conduct, which can be downloaded at https://www.dcc-cdc.gc.ca/industry/forms. A contractor or supplier who has been declared ineligible or suspended by Public Services and Procurement Canada under its Ineligibility and Suspension Policy and whose period of ineligibility or suspension may not have expired will not be able to proceed to the second stage.

Bid security will be required during the Tender Phase in accordance with DCL193E- Instructions for Bidders for Electronic Bidding item 11.

4. Estimate

The Rough Order Magnitude estimate for this Contract is $87,500.000.00. The Rough Order Magnitude estimate, including all future anticipated planned change orders (Phases 3 & 4), is $101,200,000.00 (Current Year $).

This amount excludes GST, design costs, travel and disbursements, consultant fees and expenses, movable equipment and furniture, IT equipment and contingencies.

5. Schedule

DCC will proceed with the Tender Phase around September 4, 2025.

The works shall reach substantial completion no later than October 31, 2028, following the notification of contract award and shall be completed no later than June 30, 2029.

6. Site visit

No site visits will be offered during the RFEOI however, during the Tender Phase, bidders will be invited to a site visit.

7. Access to information Act

Tenderers are advised that DCC is subject to the provisions of the Access to Information Act (Canada). Information submitted may be eligible for disclosure in accordance with the requirements of the Act.

8. Questions and clarifications

Any questions or requests for clarification must be submitted in writing to DCC’s Coordinator, Contract Services whose contact information can be found in the Electronic Bid System.

DCC reserves the right to request clarification and/or confirmation regarding any aspect of this RFEOI to the Tenderer.

In such a case, the Coordinator, Contract Services will be responsible for making the request. The request for clarification and/or confirmation will be sent to the contact person identified on the Electronic Submission System.

9. Language of the Tender and the contract

By submitting a response to this RFEOI, Tenderers will be invited to choose the desired official language for the tender documents and any resulting contract.

In the Tender Phase, tender documents will be published in the language chosen by the Tenderer in the Electronic Bid System.

Unless otherwise specified in the Contract, all Contract Documents to which the Contract applies or refers, as well as all deliverables, documents, reports and results of the work, services or goods that the Contractor submits, provides, or delivers to DCC or Canada in connection with the performance of the Contract, shall be in the language chosen by the Contractor on the Electronic Bid System.

10. Joint venture

A joint venture is an association of two or more parties that pools their funds, assets, knowledge, expertise, or other resources into a joint business venture, sometimes called a consortium, to bid together for a requirement. Tenderers submitting interest as a joint venture will be required to clearly indicate in the Electronic Submission System that they are forming a joint venture and should provide the following information:

• the name of the joint venture, if applicable,
• the name of the representative of the joint venture, i.e., the member chosen by the other members to represent them, if applicable,
• the name of each member of the joint venture.

11. Closing location

Responses to this RFEOI must be received through the Electronic Bidding System. Responses sent by fax, mail or email will not be accepted.

12. Closing Date and Time

The closing date and time indicated in the Electronic Submission System will be the official closing date and time of this RFEOI.

Bidding and Documents are available on http://www.merx.com. Fees may apply; See https://www.merx.com/public/pricing for more information.