Cobb EMC RFP for Natural Gas Generators

Cobb EMC, an electric membership corporation serving nearly 230,000 metering points in Northwest Georgia, seeks qualified firms for the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of non-emergency, EPA-certified natural gas generators at multiple sites. The project involves installation of multiple generators totaling up to 28 MW under a turnkey pricing structure. Cobb EMC will provide construction-ready sites with installation of step-up transformers (Yg-Yg), metering, and interconnection equipment on the 12.47 kV distribution system. The NG generators will reduce wholesale power costs through peak demand management and improve system reliability and operational flexibility, operating 100-250 times per year for 4-6 hour events.

The initial phase focuses on 6 MW capacity at the Cobb EMC campus, with additional phases planned at various substations: Bells Ferry Rd Substation (8 MW, October 2027), Acworth Rd Substation (6 MW, October 2028), and Lost Mountain Substation (8 MW, October 2029). The EPC contractor must furnish all labor, materials, equipment, and services for complete operational installation. Key deliverables include Front-End Loading and Basis of Design documents, detailed design packages with construction-ready one-line diagrams, grounding design, control schematics, and physical layouts. Power System Studies must include short circuit analysis, protective device coordination, arc flash study, and load flow analysis.

Equipment supply includes natural gas generators nominally 2 MW per unit (alternate sizes permitted), associated switchgear, controls, and communication systems, with coordination with gas utilities for service verification (minimum 5 PSI pressure). An Energy Management System capable of remote operation, monitoring, and control of all generators must be supplied, integrated with Cobb EMC's SCADA/DERMS using DNP3 or IEC 61850 over secure TCP/IP with cybersecurity controls per NERC CIP principles. Construction activities include site preparation, permitting, foundations, interconnection up to the low-voltage side of the step-up transformer, full functional and performance testing, comprehensive as-built documentation, and complete training for Cobb EMC personnel.

Key dates include RFP release October 24, 2025, written questions deadline November 7, 2025 at 5:00 PM EST, RFP response deadline November 14, 2025 at 5:00 PM EST, short list decision November 21, 2025, winner announced November 28, 2025, EPC agreement finalization December 12, 2025, contract execution December 19, 2025, project kickoff January 5, 2026, and project commissioning/commercial operations date November 30, 2026. All proposals must include total installed cost breakdown, technical compliance verification, Energy Management System capabilities, vendor experience with utility-scale projects, warranty and support offerings, and realistic delivery timelines. Minimum qualifying score is 75/100.