CIPLINK COOK INLET POWER LINK-HVDC PROJECT

The Alaska Energy Authority is issuing a pre‑qualification and request for technical and budgetary information (PQ/RFI) for the Cook Inlet Power Link (CIPLink) HVDC submarine cable. The effort covers design, manufacture, offshore laying, burial, land‑fall conduit installation, jointing, testing, and associated accessories for a ~40‑mile (64 km) high‑voltage direct‑current cable that will transmit up to 100 MW (monopole) or 200 MW (bipole) across Cook Inlet. Respondents must demonstrate capability to produce 100‑kV HVDC cable (MI or XLPE), operate U.S.–flagged cable‑laying vessels, perform horizontal directional drilling, and meet Buy‑America/Build‑America (BABA) requirements. The solicitation seeks to pre‑qualify firms for a future competitive procurement slated for mid‑2027, with contract award anticipated by end‑2027, cable manufacture completed by end‑2029, and installation in 2020‑2021. • Supply and installation of ~40 mi HVDC submarine cable (±100 kV, 100 MW‑200 MW) including DMR return conductor and embedded fiber‑optic monitoring. • Required capabilities: cable manufacturing (MI or XLPE), U.S.‑flagged cable‑laying vessel operations, HDD land‑fall installation, marine burial, testing, and repair/maintenance services. • Mandatory pre‑response conference on 4 Nov 2026 (in‑person & virtual); written questions due 25 Nov 2026; response deadline 15 Dec 2026. • Evaluation based on understanding of work, organization, relevant HVDC experience, and technical capability; threshold ≥ 24 points with no criterion below 4.