Consulting Services Relating To Electric Transmission And Distribution Structural Integrity Standards Reports And Plans For The Management And Inspection Of Electric Distribution Poles

The Public Utility Commission of Texas is seeking proposals from qualified contractors to provide expert consulting services focused on the development and oversight of standards for the structural integrity of electric transmission and distribution poles. This initiative is driven by recent legislative mandates, including Texas Utilities Code § 38.006, and aims to enhance the safety and reliability of utility infrastructure. The contractor will be responsible for reviewing and analyzing utility plans, updates, and reports related to pole safety and structural standards, ensuring these submissions comply with requirements established by House Bill 144 and Senate Bill 1789, enacted during the 89th Texas Legislature. This effort is part of a broader response to findings from the 2024 Texas House Investigative Committee on the Panhandle Wildfires, which highlighted inadequate regulation of utility pole maintenance as a contributing factor to the state's largest wildfire. The contract, with a value ranging from $500,000 to $2,000,000, is open to eligible entities within the State, Local, Education, and Nonprofit sectors, and will be performed within Texas. The selected contractor will also provide recommendations to the Commission on utilities’ compliance and the effectiveness of their submitted plans and reports. The solicitation was posted on August 28, 2025, with a deadline for responses set for September 29, 2025. Interested parties can contact Jay Stone via email or phone for further details and access the full solicitation through the Texas SmartBuy portal.