This is a service / maintenance or supply contract in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Contact the soliciting agency for additional information.

Reference Number 0000290349 Question Acceptance Deadline 2025/04/23 12:00:00 AM CDT Manitoba Hydro is issuing this Request for Proposal (RFP) to seek the submission of competitive Proposals from experienced engineering firms to serve as Manitoba Hydros owners engineer (the Owners Engineer) for the HVDC Reliability Project (the “Project”).To maintain reliability and service, Manitoba Hydro is conducting the HVDC Reliability Project to support the continued operation of its Bipole I and Bipole II HVDC systems at Dorsey, Radisson and Henday Converter Stations. Manitoba Hydro’s objectives for this RFP are to: select a Preferred Proponent through a qualification and capability-based selection process (as detailed in this RFP), evaluating the experience, qualifications, and availability to meet Manitoba Hydro’s requirements; and award an Engineering Services Agreement to the Preferred Proponent for potential Owners Engineer Services on the Project. Manitoba Hydro has three operating HVDC Bipoles, as follows: (a) Bipole I (Pole 1 and Pole 2), which went into operation between 1973 and 1976 in three stages and originally used mercury arc valve technology. The rectifier is rated at 463.5kV, 1854MW. The mercury arc valves were upgraded to thyristor-based technology in 1992 (Pole 1) and 2004 (Pole 2). Most of Bipole I continues to operate using the original analogue control and protection system. Bipole I consists of six six-pulse valve groups, and single-phase converter transformers with synchronous condensers connected on the tertiaries. Replacement of some converter transformers (failed units), 500kV voltage dividers, valve group high speed bypass switches, DC smoothing reactors, some 500kV and 25kV DCCT's, gapped surge arresters, and some other components (e.g., transient fault recorder, cooling controls, etc.) have been completed over the past twenty (20) years. (b) Bipole II (Pole 3 and Pole 4), with valve groups VG31 and VG41 going into service in 1979, followed by valve groups VG32 and VG42 in 1986, uses thyristor-based technology. The rectifier is rated at 500kV, 2000MW. Bipole II continues to operate with the originally installed water-cooled thyristor valves and analogue control and protection systems. Replacement of some converter transformers (failed units), valve cooling piping, all 500kV voltage dividers (though not lower voltage units), one failed valve group high speed bypass switch, DC smoothing reactors, gapped surge arresters, and other auxiliary systems have been completed over the past twenty (20) years. (c) Bipole III (Pole 5 and Pole 6), which went into service in 2018 and uses a thyristor-based technology with modern digital controls. The rectifier is rated at 500kV, 2000MW with a continuous overload capacity of 2300MW. 3.1 The Owner's Engineer will support Manitoba Hydro's internal engineering team by providing technical support and advice for the Project. 3.2 The Owner's Engineer will assist Manitoba Hydro with the development of the overall Project scope, including functional specifications, Project cost estimates, Project schedules, work breakdown structures, and other deliverables. The Owner's Engineer will be responsible to develop conceptual designs for all Project scope outside of the OEM's design, and may in limited instances, be engaged to complete detailed design of certain Project elements. Manitoba Hydro intends to engage further "engineers of record" for the detailed design of Project scope outside of the OEM's design and significant detailed design is not anticipated to be awarded to the Preferred Proponent from this RFP. 3.3 It will be the responsibility of the Owner's Engineer to manage all design interfaces between the OEM and other Project contractors or consultants. The Owner's Engineer will also be responsible to ensure, in consultation with Manitoba Hydro, that the Project scope is well-defined with no scope gaps or overlaps. 3.3.1 The Project may also include necessary, interim repairs to the existing Bipole I and Bipole II HVDC Equipment ("Sustainment Scope"). Manitoba Hydro may elect to award to the Owner's Engineer scopes of work relating to engineering services for the Sustainment Scope. 3.4 Further Services by the Owner's Engineer on the Project will be determined and issued by Manitoba Hydro during the term of the ESA. See Schedule A of the ESA included in Part B Proposed Contract Documents for further description of the potential Owner's Engineer scope of work. 3.5 It is the expectation of Manitoba Hydro that the Owner's Engineer will have a significant presence of local or re-located personnel providing the Services. Official bid documents must be obtained from www.merx.com and bid submissions must be done through the Merx platform.