RFI Spear Street Substation

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) is soliciting interest and feedback on project delivery methods for construction of the Spear Street Substation (Project). SFPUC will seek to engage potential builders and engineers for delivery of the Project through a subsequent competitive process.This Request for Interest (RFI) is for informational purposes only. SFPUC does not guarantee the accuracy of any information contained herein. The information is general and preliminary in nature, subject to change, and will provide the basis for discussion and planning by SFPUC. No person, entity, or other party is entitled to rely on this RFI or the information contained herein for any purpose, including without limitation, submitting a bid or proposal, or entering into a contract related to the Project. This RFI relates to the SFPUC’s planned procurement of two, potential upcoming contracts for the Project: (1) Project Delivery; and (2) Owner Advisor (OA).The Project includes new 230kV or 115kV transmission service from Pacific Gas & Electric Company’s (PG&E) existing Potrero Substation, new 230kV or 115kV transmission service to the Carbon Free Steam project (Carbon Free Steam Substation to be designed/constructed by others), new distribution to the Port (likely including Pier 30/32 and Pier 38/40), and capacity for future distribution to the northern waterfront. The Spear Street substation is proposed to be located at the Port-owned Seawall Lot 328 on Spear Street near the base of the Bay Bridge.The primary objectives of the Project may include:a. Expand system capacity by constructing a new substation at Seawall Lot 328, with transmission connections to PG&E’s Potrero Substation and future distribution to downtown and the northern waterfront.b. Support waterfront redevelopment by providing reliable power infrastructure to the Port of San Francisco’s planned facilities, piers, and mixed-use projects.c. Enable electrification mandates by meeting the California Air Resources Board’s directives for all-electric short-haul passenger ferries and supporting conversion of natural gas steam boilers to electricity through the Carbon Free Steam Project.d. Enhance resiliency and reliability of SFPUC’s power system by creating additional transmission, distribution, and redundancy pathways.e. Facilitate clean energy transition and contribute to San Francisco’s Climate Action Plan goals by delivering affordable, carbon-free power to municipal and waterfront customers.f. Accommodate future growth by designing the substation with capacity for additional distribution customers and expansion opportunities.SFPUC values early market feedback during the Project development process. Respondents who submit responses are not obligated to propose if/when final procurement documents are released. Additionally, responses will remain anonymous and will not be shared with other participants, unless required by law. Responses may be subject to Public Records Act or Sunshine Ordinance requests, with potential withholding rights pursuant to San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.24. SFPUC will endeavor to give the subject Respondent(s) reasonable notice of any such requests, to the extent possible, so that the Respondent(s) may seek court intervention prior to the production deadline.SFPUC may seek to hold meetings or discussions with the Respondents to this RFI. In that event, SFPUC will issue further notice to all Respondents regarding the opportunity to meet and the guidelines for such meetings. If SFPUC provides this opportunity, it will be made available to all Respondents on equal terms.