Cordova hospital gets $3 million to replace generator after four tries drew no bidders

Cordova Community Medical Center has been awarded $3 million in federal money to replace an emergency generator that, according to the hospital, "cannot reliably support full hospital operations during power outages." The Health Resources and Services Administration awarded the money Sept. 30 as congressionally directed spending, with no local match required. It also covers a new fire alarm system and HVAC repairs.

The hospital says it is the region's only health care facility, providing emergency, inpatient, outpatient, surgical and primary care to about 2,200 residents in a town reachable only by boat or small plane. Without backup power, the award description says, patients can't be stabilized, transferred or treated.

About $2.48 million is set aside for the generator and electrical system, including a structure for the generator, switches that move the building onto generator power, a new electrical room and a code-compliant main power shutoff. Another $305,000 is for a fire alarm system whose obsolete parts no longer meet fire codes or hospital accreditation standards. The plan is to replace the control panel, every alarm and detector, and the wiring throughout the building. The remaining $215,573 is for four failing HVAC return fans.

The hospital has tried to replace the generator before. Requests for proposals in 2016, 2022, 2023 and 2024 drew no responsive bids, which the hospital blames on Cordova's isolation. The award says a dedicated on-site project manager will oversee the work, but it does not say why a new solicitation would go differently.

Design work is expected to take about eight months starting this fall, with generator construction finishing in 2028. The grant runs through September 2029.