Cashmere contractor’s PUD agreement grows to $17.6 million

CASHMERE — Smith Excavation of Cashmere will continue providing civil construction and emergency-response support to Chelan County PUD under an agreement whose authorized capacity has grown to $17.6 million.

PUD commissioners voted Sept. 8 to add $6.35 million to the utility’s contract with Smith Excavation and extend the agreement through February 2028.

The increase does not represent a single $17.6 million construction project. Instead, the contract provides capacity for the PUD to issue individual work orders as excavation and civil construction needs arise across its electric, fiber, water and wastewater systems.

Senior Project Manager Toby Tarzwell told commissioners the PUD has used the contract more heavily than originally forecast.

The agreement supports planned capital construction as well as emergency response, system restoration and coordination with other utility work.

Smith Excavation’s contract with the PUD began at approximately $1.24 million. Previous change orders increased its authorized value to $3.74 million in 2024 and then to $11.25 million in 2025.

The latest $6.35 million increase brings the total authorized contract amount to $17.6 million, excluding sales tax.

Commissioner Carnan Bergren pointed to the contractor’s usefulness during emergencies, when PUD crews may need excavation equipment and temporary access to reach damaged infrastructure in difficult terrain.

“We've had a lot of emergencies, weather related and stuff like that, and you have to have the equipment to get in there and do it,” Bergren said.

He pointed specifically to temporary access Smith Excavation has constructed for PUD crews.

“They've built some pretty steep roads, temporary roads, to get up to some of these poles and stuff,” Bergren said.

Tarzwell said the contract’s flexibility allows the PUD to call on Smith Excavation for those kinds of needs without conducting a separate procurement each time excavation or civil support is required.

The extension through February 2028 is intended to provide additional capacity as the utility continues capital projects while retaining access to the contractor for unplanned restoration and emergency work.

Commissioners unanimously approved the change order Sept. 8.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media