Webbers Falls Unit 1 Speed Increaser Gearbox Replacement

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is seeking information from qualified firms regarding the design, manufacture, supply, and installation of a new 35,000‑HP (≈25 MW) speed‑increaser gearbox for the Webbers Falls Unit 1 hydro‑electric plant. The effort includes removal of the existing Falk gearbox, site modifications, and alignment of the new unit, with a strong preference for a design that can be shipped and installed without disassembly and that re‑uses the existing thrust bearing. Respondents are asked to detail relevant experience, proposed technical approaches, teaming arrangements, schedule risks, and a rough order‑of‑magnitude cost estimate. • Scope: design, fabrication, testing, delivery, removal of old gearbox, site modifications, installation, alignment. • Technical focus: high‑torque, high‑horsepower gearbox (35 000 HP), footprint/weight constraints, same shaft rotation, reuse of thrust bearing. • Required information: past similar projects, recommended gearbox configuration, risk assessments, partnership plans, schedule and supply‑chain risk analysis, ROM cost and timeline. • Desired solicitation strategy: feedback on phased‑definitization, solicitation period length, and possible two‑phase design‑build approach. • Optional: provision of a second spare gearbox.