NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed bids will be received by the Executive Director of the Port of Skagit County (Contracting Agency) at 15400 Airport Drive, Burlington, WA, until February 26, 2025 at 2:00 pm, owner’s local time, for work described in the Bid Documents for FIR ISLAND FIBER TO THE PREMISES PROJECT.  Bids will then be opened and publicly read aloud.

Project Scope

Each bid must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the provisions of the bidding documents and submitted no later than the time indicated.  Bids received after the time fixed for opening will not be considered.  Bidders accept all risks of late delivery, regardless of fault.

Each bid must be submitted only on the Bid Form included in the Bid Documents either online through MRSC Bonfire Portal or be in a sealed envelope addressed to the Port of Skagit.  Each sealed envelope containing a bid must be plainly marked on the outside as FIR ISLAND FIBER TO THE PREMISES PROJECT and set forth the name and address of the Bidder, as well as, the bid opening date.  Bids may be mailed to the Executive Director, Port of Skagit, 15400 Airport Drive, Burlington, WA 98233, or hand delivered to the executive director at the same address prior to the bid opening.

Each bid shall be accompanied by a certified check, cashier's check, or bid bond (with an authorized surety company as surety) made payable to the Port of Skagit in an amount not less than five percent (5%) of the Total Bid Amount.  If bidding online, an electronic copy of said certified check, cashier's check, or bid bond (with an authorized surety company as surety) shall be submitted through MRSC Bonfire Portal with the original to be hand delivered or mailed.  Said check or bid bond shall be given as a guarantee that the Bidder shall execute such Contract as it may be awarded in conformity with its bid and with the Bid Documents, and that said Bidder, as the Successful Bidder, shall provide a Certificate of Insurance, Declaration of Option for Management of Statutory Retained Percentage, Contract Bonds as specified in the Bid Documents within ten (10) days after notification of the award of the Contract.

The Port of Skagit reserves the right to reject any and all bids, and waive any irregularities or informalities in the bid or in the bidding.  No Bidder may withdraw its bid after the hour set for the opening thereof, or before award of Contract, unless said award is delayed for a period exceeding sixty (60) days.

This project will construct a Fiber To The Premise network in the Fir Island project area.  The project consists of ~67,500 strand feet of aerial fiber, ~85,000 cable feet of lashing aerial fiber, ~ 18,000 feet of underground fiber, ~300 fusion splices, and installation of ~50 vaults primarily in the Skagit County right of way.  The project will connect to a private entity’s network that is operating a business selling telecommunications services in Washington State.  This will be an open access network allowing other licensed providers to sell services on the network.  The key objective of the project is to create a fiber plant that private entities can use to bring urban-priced internet services to rural areas. Skagit PUD, Skagit County, Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County and many more are critical partners in the Port of Skagit ongoing fiber project initiative.

The Engineer’s/Architect’s cost opinion for all work is between $800,000 and $950,000.

A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held at the Administrative Offices of the Port of Skagit, 15400 Airport Dr., Burlington, WA 98233, on February 12, 2025 at 1:00 pm owner’s local time.  Attendance at pre-bid meeting is not mandatory.  

Complete digital project bidding documents including Drawings, Specifications, and Addenda, for this project will be available beginning February 4, 2025, at mrscrosters.bonfirehub.com.  You may view and download the digital plan documents for free through MRSC Bonfire Electronic Bidding at mrscrosters.bonfirehub.com and entering Project number POSC-PW-25-01 on the website’s project search page.  It is recommended all prime and subcontractor bidders become an electronic planholder by registering on mrscrosters.bonfirehub.com as planholders will receive addendums and other contract document updates through MRSC Bonfire.  Please contact MRSC Customer Support mrscrosters@mrsc.org for assistance in registration, downloading and working with digital project information.

Bid Documents including Drawings and Specifications will only be available for review online through MRSC Bonfire. 

For specific questions regarding the proposed project, contact Project Consultant Joe Poire 509-850-6335 or Project Manager Travis Binschus 360-757-5556.

The Port of Skagit is an equal opportunity an affirmative action employer.  All work performed on the project will be subject to the higher of the state prevailing wage rates or federal wage rates (if applicable due to other federal funds in the project). 

The Bidder must be authorized to do business in the state of Washington, qualified to perform the work described in Bid Documents, and experienced in performing the same.

Small, Minority, and women owned firms are encouraged to submit bids.  Contractors are encouraged to commit to local hires for this project. 

This project is partially funded through the Washington State Public Works Board with federal funds from the Treasury ARPA Coronavirus Capital Project funds.