City of Rocky Mount-Energy Resource
Request for Quotation (RFQ) – Informal Purchase (Under $30,000.00)
Protective Relays and RTAC Equipment
RFQ Number: 2026-609
Issue Date: April 6, 2026
Quote Due Date: April 14, 2026
1. Purpose
The City of Rocky Mount is requesting informal quotations for the purchase of microprocessor-
based protective relays and a real-time automation controller (RTAC) for a substation upgrade.
This is an informal RFQ and not a formal bid solicitation. The total purchase is expected to be
under $30,000.
2. Scope of Work / Specifications
Vendors shall provide pricing and lead times for the following equipment:
Transformer Protection Relay
Protection Functions
• The Transformer relay shall provide:
o Two-winding current differential protection
o Phase and ground overcurrent protection
o Backup protection functions
o Event reporting and fault oscillography
• Current Inputs
o Six (6) AC current inputs
o 5 AMP CT secondary rating for both transformer windings
• User Interface
o English Language
o Two-line, sixteen-character (2x 16) LCD display
o Minimum eight (8) front-panel push buttons
• Power Supply
o 24-48 VDC control power supply
• Digital Inputs and Outputs
o Four (4) programmable digital inputs
o Four (4) programmable electromechanical outputs (Form A contacts)
o Digital input rating: 48 VDC/VAC
• Communication
o One (1) 10/100 Base-T Ethernet port (RJ-45)
o One (1) rear EIA-232 serial port
o DNP3 protocol support
o SEL communication protocol support
o Mirrored Bits® communication support
2. Feeder Protection Relay
Protection Functions
• The feeder relay shall provide:
o Phase overcurrent protection
o Ground overcurrent protection
o Voltage-based protection functions
o Event reporting and disturbance recording
• Current and Voltage Inputs
o Phase current inputs rated for 5 Amp CT secondary
o Neutral current input rated for 5 Amp
o Three-phase AC voltage inputs rated up to 300 VAC
• User Interface
o English Language
o Two-line, sixteen-character (2x 16) LCD display
o Front-panel push buttons for local control and configuration
• Power Supply
o 24-48 VDC control power supply
• Digital Inputs and Outputs
o Four (4) programmable digital inputs
o Four (4) programmable electromechanical outputs (Form A contacts)
o Digital input rating: 48 VDC/VAC
• Communications
o One (1) 10/100 Base-T Ethernet port (RJ-45)
o One (1) rear EIA-232 serial port
o DNP3 protocol support
o SEL communication protocol support
o Mirrored Bits® communications support
3. REAL-TIME AUTOMATION CONTROLLER (RTAC)
General: The automation controller shall serve as the substation data concentrator and logic
processor.
• Processor and Memory
o Industrial-grade processor suitable for substation temperature range
o Minimum 8 GB RAM
o Industrial-grade solid-state drive (minimum 480 GB)
o Processor — Intel Atom x5-E3940 Quad Core
• Operating System
o Manufacturer's real-time automation operating system
• Mounting
o 3U rack-mounted chassis suitable for installation in substation control panel
• Power Supply
o 48-125 VDC or 110-120 VAC control power compatible
• Communications
o Minimum four (4) rear Ethernet ports (10/100/1000 Mbps RJ-45)
o Serial communications- minimum 32 serial ports via expansion module
o DNP3 protocol support
o SEL communication protocol support
o Mirrored Bits® communication support
• Functional Capabilities: The RTAC shall
o Provide programmable logic control function
o Serve as a SCADA data concentrator
o Interface with protective relays via Ethernet and serial communications
o Support peer-to-peer messaging with SEL relays
• Communications Integration Requirement- All devices furnished shall be fully
compatible and capable of:
o Operating on the Owner's existing SEL-based communication architecture
o Exchanging high-speed peer-to-peer signals using Mirrored Bits®
o Integrating into the Owner's DNP3 SCADA system
3. General Requirements
All relays and automation equipment furnished under this specification shall:
• Be new, utility-grade, microprocessor-based devices.
• Be from a single manufacturer to ensure full communication compatibility and
interoperability.
• Support SEL communication protocol.
• Support Mirrored Bits® communication for high-speed peer-to-peer relay messaging.
• Be suitable for installation in an electrical substation environment.
• Operate on station services control voltage as specified.
• Included Ethernet communications capability.
• Support DNP3 protocol for SCADA integration.
• Included event reporting and oscillography.
• Be configurable using manufacturer-provided software tools.
• Meet applicable IEEE C37 standards for protective relays.
• Included a minimum ten (10) year manufacturer warranty.
4. Quote Submission Requirements
Quotes must include:
- Company information
- Pricing
- Lead times
- Warranty
- Shipping terms
Submit via email to: Fantashia.Dickens@rockymountnc.gov
5. Questions
All questions must be submitted via email to Fantashia.Dickens@rockymountnc.gov prior to the
due date.
6. Award
Award will be made to the lowest responsive, responsible vendor, or in the best
interest of the City. The City reserves the right to reject any or all quotes.
This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.