Stowe Electric Repowering the Smith's Falls Hydroelectric Dam RFP
SED seeks a contractor for the Smith's Falls Hydroelectric Project, combining dam rehabilitation, a new run-of-river 1 MW hydro plant, historic mill restoration, and site amenities in Stowe, VT. Key deadlines: mandatory site visit Jan 6, bids due Feb 12, 2026, with dam work required by Sep 17, 2027 and mill work by Dec 31, 2026.
Categories
Important dates
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Published
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Mandatory Pre-Bid Conference
At SED facility, 435 Moscow Road, Stowe, VT
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Bidder Questions due to SED
Submit to Michael Lazorchak, cc Brian Cote
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SED Responses to Bidder Questions / Addenda posted
Posted on Town website and emailed to bidders attending pre-bid conference
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Submission deadline
Deadline passed -
Notification of Contractor Selection
Anticipated award date per SED Board of Commissioners
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Anticipated Notice to Proceed
Project start date
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Historic Structure Restoration work performance deadline
ACRE funding deadline; Vermont DPS Affordable Community Renewable Energy program
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Dam Rehabilitation substantial completion deadline
Required for certain federal funding
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Final Acceptance
Project fully complete and ready for final acceptance
AI overview
The Town of Stowe Electric Department (SED) is soliciting bids for the rehabilitation of the Smith's Falls Dam and construction of a new hydroelectric generating facility at 435 Moscow Road in Stowe, Vermont. The project consists of dam rehabilitation, installation of a run-of-river hydroelectric plant, restoration of the historic Seaver Sawmill structure, and associated site work including a portage trail, river access, landscaping, and site restoration. The project is partially funded by USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS), FEMA, and the Vermont ACRE program, with critical deadlines tied to these funding sources.
Key dates include a mandatory pre-bid conference on January 6, 2026 at 9:00 AM, bidder questions due January 16, 2026, SED responses posted January 23, 2026, and a bid submission deadline of February 12, 2026 at 4:00 PM. The contract award is anticipated on February 25, 2026. Critical project milestones include historic structure restoration work performance by December 31, 2026, dam rehabilitation substantial completion by September 17, 2027, and final acceptance by December 31, 2027.
The scope of work covers mobilization, demolition, sediment and erosion control, earthwork, dam rehabilitation including rock anchors and a spillway crest gate, hydroelectric intake structure, sluiceway extension, powerhouse construction, electrical and mechanical installation, interconnection, mill repairs, portage trail, and site restoration. Bidders must have experience with municipal electric utilities and comply with Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements, federal domestic content provisions for steel, and historic preservation standards per the National Park Service. Multiple federal and state permits (USACE, VT DEC, FERC) govern the work, including restrictions on in-stream work periods, work hours, tree removal, and wetland protection.
Bids must be submitted as a lump sum with a unit price schedule, accompanied by a 1% bid deposit. The successful bidder must provide performance and payment bonds each for 50% of the contract lump sum price. Evaluation criteria weight responsiveness and prior experience at 15%, ability to meet the proposed approach and timeline at 40%, lump sum bid price and unit cost schedule at 35%, and prior municipal experience at 10%. Bidders must attend the mandatory pre-bid conference, submit a statement of interest, a construction schedule, and identify subcontractors qualified to work on historic structures.
Resources & contact
Proposal Document
View proposal documentContact
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