Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Services

Background
The City of Seattle, through its Seattle City Light (SCL) department, is seeking to establish one or more contracts with qualified firms to provide Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (drone) Services. The goal of this solicitation is to complete various aerial survey tasks as outlined in the Specifications and Scope of Work section of the Invitation to Bid (ITB). The City intends to award a single contract but reserves the right to make multiple or partial awards if necessary.

Work Details
The contractor will provide unmanned aerial drone services for various tasks including:

- Aerial inspections of equipment, right of ways, and geological structures;
- Site-specific safety plans;
- Project-specific data in required formats (video, high-resolution pictures, photogrammetry, thermography, LiDAR);
- Work plan bids including drone flight plans and cost estimates;
- Project status reports; and
- Change management plans.

Specific tasks include:
1) Aerial inspections of dams, reservoirs, substations, transmission and distribution structures;
2) Vegetation management surveys;
3) Post-storm inspections. Vendors must possess necessary FAA licenses and have prior experience providing aerial drone services to electrical utilities.

Period of Performance
The contract will be for one year with six optional one-year extensions at the City's discretion. The contract is subject to prevailing wage requirements.

Place of Performance
Services will be performed at various locations within King County and surrounding areas including:

- Seattle City Light South Service Center;
- North Service Center;
- Substations in King County;
- Boundary Hydroelectric Project in Pend Oreille County;
- Skagit Hydroelectric Project in Whatcom County; and other specified sites.

Bidder Requirements
Vendors must meet minimum qualifications including possession of all necessary FAA licenses for pilots and drones. They must have prior experience providing aerial drone services to electrical utilities and demonstrate an understanding of high voltage hazards. Additionally, vendors must provide a Site-Specific Safety Plan for each project site prior to mobilization and comply with all relevant safety standards.