Chief Joseph Dam Main Unit XJ Breaker Disconnects Modernization

Event details

Date: 3 December 2026 Time:

• 0930-1430 PT Format: Presentation & Site walk Registration Due Date: 23 November 2026
• 1200 PT; Please register by returning completed Request for Visit Authority (RVA) by email to: Sarah Malowicki
• Project Manager
• at sarah.m.malowicki@usace.army.mil
• Londres Medranda
• Contract Specialist
• at londres.medranda@usace.army.mil

Confirmation email will be sent upon receipt of completed RVA. Who Should Attend: Interested vendors, including small businesses, large businesses, and other industry partners. Attendance is limited to 2 personnel per company. Attendance is limited to United States Citizens. Attendance at this event is not mandatory. Pre-registration is required.

Description

In accordance with the Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul (RFO) 15.101(a) Early exchanges with industry, the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Seattle District (NWS) is hosting an Industry Day on 3 December 2026 at Chief Joseph Dam in Bridgeport, Washington.

This Industry Day provides an opportunity for interested parties to inspect the existing 15.5KV Main Unit XJ Breaker disconnects first-hand. By hosting this first-hand inspection, the government aims to gather technical feedback and explore industry alternatives for modernizing this equipment.

We are seeking input from qualified, experienced sources, capable of performing this modernization work.

Project background

At Chief Joseph Dam the current Unit 1-16 XJ Breaker disconnects are original BBC (Brown Boveri Corporation) equipment and rated 6000A according to the BBC shop drawings. The switch operators are pneumatically driven, and are actuated by operation of a complex key interlocking scheme with the circuit breaker.

The load side and source side disconnects are mechanically linked and simultaneously operated by a single shared pneumatic actuating system. The current Units 17-27 breaker disconnects are original GE equipment. The load side and source side disconnects are mechanically linked and simultaneously controlled by mechanically operated hand crank.

USACE is evaluating options to improve reliability, maintainability, remote-operating capability, and overall generating-unit availability. Option 1: Refurbish and restore existing disconnect switches to an approved condition equivalent to original design intent, as technically feasible.

Integrate motorized mechanisms on the switch arms to enable remote operation, and comprehensively overhaul and test the existing main unit breakers to ensure optimal system protection. Option 2: Replace the disconnect switches with new electrically operated units and refurbish the existing breakers.

Option 3: Replace both the disconnect switches (with new electrically operated units) and the main unit circuit breakers. Option 4: Replace the entire switchgear assembly with new enclosures, modern electrically operated disconnect switches, and new circuit breakers (includes associated controls, protection, buswork and new enclosure).

Chief Joseph Dam has several critical limitations that affect this project, primarily related to space constraints. This Industry day will present the options under consideration, obtain industry feedback on technical feasibility and constructability, and identify potential risks, constraints and cost drivers.

USACE is requesting feedback on the following questions and relevant, non-binding information: Does your company have the ability, capacity, interest and willingness to perform the proposed options? Does your company have experience with comparable medium-voltage/high-current generation-station disconnect and breaker modernization projects?

We are not currently requiring quotes or bids, however rough estimates would be greatly appreciated. Recommended technical approaches or alternatives Major schedule outage, access, safety, supply-chain or constructability risks. Do you believe all aspects of this requirement could be successfully performed by the small business sector under NAICS 237990 (Size standard $45M)?

(Yes/No). If No, what estimated percentage do you think can be subcontracted out to small business? Small Business (SB)