2026 Ketchikan High School UST Removal and AST Installation

In 2026, the Ketchikan High School UST Removal and AST Installation project aims to remediate a hazardous underground storage tank (UST) that previously supplied heating oil to the school’s boiler system. The UST, installed in 1995 adjacent to an older decommissioned tank, is classified under Alaska law as exempt from registration due to its use for consumptive heating purposes on-site. However, a 2025 inspection revealed fuel discharge from one of the tank’s inspection ports, prompting the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation to open Hazard File 1516.38.060. The project’s objective is to eliminate this environmental hazard by removing the UST and installing a new aboveground storage tank (AST), while ensuring full compliance with environmental and safety standards. The solicitation, numbered 2026-011 and posted on April 23, 2026, requires proposals to be submitted by May 12, 2026, and is managed by the Alaska Public Works agency with point of contact provided through Morgan Barry and Amy Briggs of the Ketchikan Borough. Performance is limited to the Ketchikan High School site in Alaska, with no federal or military logistics standards applicable. The work scope includes full UST removal, installation of a new AST connected to the existing DDC control system, electrical integration, calibration, functional testing, commissioning, operator training, and delivery of comprehensive as-built documentation. Contractual requirements mandate compliance with ASME A13.1 for pipe marking, NFPA 30 and 31 for fuel systems, and industry standards for electrical, control, and concrete work. Environmental sample handling follows ASTM protocols with methanol preservation, refrigerated storage at 0°C to 6°C, and 28-day analysis timelines for gasoline-range organics. The evaluation process prioritizes technical merit, firm qualifications, quality assurance plans, and cost, with a trade-off methodology awarding the best value rather than lowest price technically acceptable. The contract requires submission of insurance certificates, a W-9 form, debarment certification, subcontractor disclosures, and compliance with immigration and data breach notification laws. Surety bonds, indemnification clauses, and background checks are mandatory, with a project timeline requiring UST removal within 90 days of Notice to Proceed and AST installation completed no later than August 15, 2026. The contract includes a three-year base term with two optional