RFQ 20261006 WOOD UTILITY POLE INSPECTION

Bristol Virginia Utilities Authority (BVU) is soliciting quotes for the inspection of approximately 5,800 wood utility poles located across its service area, which includes Washington and Scott Counties in Virginia, the City of Bristol, Virginia, and Sullivan County, Tennessee. The selected contractor will perform comprehensive visual inspections from the ground line to the top of each pole to identify defects such as woodpecker holes, decayed tops, and broken insulators. Technical requirements include sounding poles with a hammer and using a shell thickness indicator to detect internal decay. All poles must be marked with weatherproof tags identifying the inspection year and contractor, while failing poles require reject or danger/priority tags, with the latter requiring immediate notification to BVU. The contract is for an initial term of one year, with the possibility of four annual renewals. Deliverables include detailed reports in Excel format containing pole numbers, height, class, and status, along with digital images of all reject poles. Award eligibility is based on the contractor's qualifications, personnel experience, and potential facility inspections. Contractors must be authorized to transact business in the Commonwealth of Virginia, maintain commercial general liability insurance of 1 million dollars per occurrence and 2 million dollars aggregate, and comply with all OSHA and Virginia safety regulations. Payment is issued on a net 30 basis upon the approval of completed work and receipt of required reports.