1-FINAL Solar RFP April 2026.pdf

Cumberland County, PA

Solar Energy Facilities on County-Owned Property

Request for Proposals

April 2026

Authorized by the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners – 3/25/26

Cumberland County Project Representatives:

• Kirk Stoner, AICP, Director of Planning 717-240-5381, kdstoner@cumberlandcountypa.gov

• Brent Durham, Director of Facilities Management 717-240-7752, bbdurham@cumberlandcountypa.gov

Background Cumberland County is a third-class county located in southcentral Pennsylvania. The county has sustained rapid growth over the past two decades and was the fastest growing county in Pennsylvania in the 2020 decennial Census with a population of 259,469. The county has a diverse landscape that covers 550 square miles with an urbanized eastern extent, a developing suburbanized central region, and a rural western section.

In 2022 the county adopted its first ever Climate Action Plan (CAP) that was prepared with the assistance of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Shippensburg University, and Dickinson College. The plan analyzed current and projected greenhouse gas emissions for the county and identified a menu of options that governments, businesses, and residents could pursue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve the county’s quality of life, and save money. Immediately after its adoption, the county pursued the following priority projects identified in the CAP:

• Conversion of county vehicle fleet from gasoline to electric vehicles for appropriate departments.

• Evaluation of solar energy opportunities on county buildings and facilities.

Wilson Engineering Services completed the solar energy evaluation project for Cumberland County. The initial study was completed in fall of 2022 and revealed positive energy and financial returns for the county to pursue ground mounted solar facilities on its county owned property. A follow up study in 2024 provided more detailed evaluation of 4 county-owned sites where solar energy facilities may be feasible, making recommendations on which site may hold the most potential. Pursuant to the 2024 report, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners approved a release of a request for proposals (RFP) to further investigate a solar project on county-owned property in early 2025. The county did not pursue the project at that time but with renewed interest, in 2026 is reissuing this RFP.

Project Goals Cumberland County is issuing this RFP to develop a ground mounted solar project on county-owned property to achieve the following goals:

• Identify the county property or properties best suited to support a solar energy project that accounts for energy used by county facilities within a 2-mile radius.

• Design the solar array to allow for efficient use of surrounding county property and potential connection to future county facilities.

• Decrease energy costs by direct connecting county buildings to solar energy facilities or through net metering.

• Provide predictable long term energy supply and pricing for county-owned buildings.

• Develop a financial plan that limits initial capital investment and achieves a high return on investment that yields a positive payback to the county within the equipment’s expected lifespan.

RFP Elements Respondents should include the following elements in their RFP responses. Respondents should use their professional judgement and expertise in preparing all elements to best meet the identified project goals.

Technical Proposal

The technical proposal should evaluate the county properties discussed in the 2024 Wilson Engineering report and recommend the property or properties best suited to supporting the solar project. Sketch level mapping should be included that shows the location and extent of the proposed solar array on county-owned properties. The array should be designed to enable the most effective and efficient energy generation through virtual net metering. Technical proposals should also include specific information on the proposed solar equipment including generation potential and power production warranties.

Financial Proposal

Cumberland County prefers a power purchase agreement (PPA) option for this project to minimize capital investment and risk to the county. Respondents may suggest other financing options but those options must be consistent with the county’s stated goals of minimizing capital investment and risk. The financial proposal should include a long-term PPA financing strategy that is consistent with the overall project goals. Financial proposals should include the following information:

• Electric generation estimates.

• Assumed starting electric rates and associated escalation factor over the project lifespan.

• Proposed electric rates with the PPA including escalation rates over the lifespan of the project,

• Annual cash flow schedule.

• Clearly identified payback period and overall net costs savings for the county over the lifespan of the project.

The financial plan should be accompanied by a financial assumptions document that explains further details of the project including:

• The elements specifically included or excluded in the stated PPA rate such as:

o Local project approval process including zoning and subdivision/land development approvals with Middlesex Township.

o Projected utility interconnection costs.

o Maintenance responsibilities and costs.

o Decommissioning costs.

• Description of credits, grants, rebates, and incentives included in financial projections and the prospects for securing each for this project and any accompanying deadlines for application or award.

• Interest rates for debt financing required as part of the project.

• Sample agreements for power purchase or power service agreements.

• Variable or unexpected factors that could threaten or drastically alter the assumptions included in the financial plan and overall project viability.

Experience and Investor Profile

RFPs shall include an experience profile for the construction, operation, and financing of the project. The experience profile should describe the prime/sub consulting firm, previous projects, and proposed project staff responsible for project construction and operation. A project organizational chart shall be provided that identifies the key personnel who will be involved with project development and delivery. Brief resumes should be included for management and lead professional staff.

The experience profile shall include recent examples of similar projects they have provided for other public sector or nonprofit clients. Examples should include a brief description that includes relevant the technical and financial details of the project as well as contact information for the client. Private sector project examples may be included but the applicability of the project experience to public sector clients should be clearly described.

The investor profile shall identify the proposed project investment team, the location of their corporate headquarters, and a listing of similar projects in their current investment portfolio.

Respondents shall disclose any conflicts of interest, real or perceived, they may have in providing services to Cumberland County. The disclosure of such conflicts does not disqualify respondents from further consideration. The county will further evaluate any disclosed conflicts in concert with the respondent and county solicitor.

Project Delivery

Respondents should include a tentative project schedule that outlines the timing for the project’s planning, design, and construction. In addition to the schedule, respondents should identify critical path components that can prove challenging and have impacts on project timelines.

Financial drivers, such as deadlines for applying/receiving financial incentives, should be identified.

Cumberland County recognizes this is a complex project with schedules that are highly variable and dependent upon market forces, partnering agency reviews, and contractor performance.

Project delivery estimates included in the RFP are for informational purposes and allow the county to set expectations on implementation timing and accompanying cash flow needs. Final schedules will be developed in concert with the selected vendor as project plans are further refined.

Supporting Information Cumberland County has provided the following supporting information in the RFP appendices. This information is confidential and is to be used by respondents for purposes of formulating a proposal and may not be used or released by the respondent for any other purpose.

• Appendix A: Solar PV siting for Cumberland County

• Appendix B: Energy Supply Agreement with Constellation New Energy.

• Appendix C: Cumberland County Buildings Available for Net Metering

• Appendix D: Cumberland County 2025 Utility Charges

RFP Submission Requirements The county will accept all proposal submissions through the PennBid online bid management program (https://pennbid.bonfirehub.com). Paper submissions will not be accepted, all proposals must be submitted electronically using PennBid. All respondents must register electronically with PennBid to make a submission. All RFP inquiries, modifications, and withdraws must be made in the PennBid portal according to the procedures stated therein. RFP documents can be obtained at no cost on PennBid. Questions regarding this project shall be submitted to county project representatives using the “Ask a question” feature on PennBid no later than April 17, 2026.

Submissions should generally comply with the following page requirements to facilitate the RFP review and selection process:

• Technical proposal – 3 pages (does not include sketch plan)

• Financial proposal – 5 pages

• Experience profile – 3 pages

• Project delivery – 2 pages

All submissions must be submitted to Cumberland County by 12:00 PM on April 24, 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted.

RFP Review Process Cumberland County will appoint a committee of staff, consultants, and DEP staff to review each submission. In person interviews may be conducted to discuss proposals in more detail and to meet the project team. Proposals will be evaluated according to their responsiveness to the project goals outlined in this RFP. The committee will provide recommendations to the Board of Commissioners who will ultimately select a vendor and negotiate a contract for performance of the project. With submission and approval of an acceptable RFP, the county intends to have a vendor under contract for this project by May 8, 2026.

Field View and Preproposal Conference Cumberland County will host an optional in-person field view and preproposal conference on April 10, 2026, at 11:00 AM. Participants will meet at the county-owned parking lot located on the west side of Army Heritage Drive located just south of the intersection with Claremont Road, directly across from the Claremont Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, as shown below.

RFP Disclosures The county is making this solicitation with full disclosure, understanding and acceptance of the following:

• Submissions not conforming to the standards outlined in this RFP will be rejected. The county reserves the right to reject any RFP in whole or part for any reason.

• The county may change the scope of work or selection process at its discretion at any time.

• The county reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and waive any minor informalities or irregularities.

• The county may cancel or postpone any aspect of this project within the bounds of the contract approved by the successful respondent.

• The county reserves the right to cancel the RFP at any time or change the date and time for submitting proposals by announcing it prior to the date and time established for proposal submittal.

• The county is not responsible for any costs incurred by responders in the preparation, submission, or subsequent discussion of this RFP.

• Recommendations made by the steering committee or approvals made by the county with respect this project are final.

• Following award of the contract by the county, all RFP submissions are considered public records that are subject to Pennsylvania’s “Right- to Know” laws. Materials considered confidential by the respondent must be clearly identified and include a statement of why said records should not be considered public records. In the event of a Right-to-Know request for proposals submitted prior to or after any bid award, it is incumbent on the respondent to assert any claim of confidentiality or that the proposal contains any proprietary information with respect to the records requested. The respondent, and not the county, shall be responsible for asserting and defending any claim of confidentiality or proprietary information before the Office of Open Records or in any appeal from any final determination made by the Office of Open Records to any court or appellate court.

• Proposals should be reviewed for accuracy before submission to the county. The county will not be responsible for any errors in proposals.

• This RFP, including all supplements, if any, is made subject to errors or omissions, withdrawal or cancellation without prior notice, and changes to, or additions to, same. The submission of a proposal shall constitute an acknowledgment upon which the county may rely that the respondent has thoroughly examined and is familiar with the solicitation and has reviewed and inspected all applicable statutes, regulations, ordinances, and resolutions addressing or relating to the project described hereunder. The failure or neglect of a respondent to receive or examine such documents, statutes, regulations, ordinances, or resolutions shall in no way relieve the respondent from any obligations with respect to its proposal or to any contract awarded pursuant to this RFP. No claim for additional compensation will be allowed which is based on lack of knowledge or misunderstanding of this RFP, statutes, regulations, ordinances, or resolutions.

• Respondent, by submitting a proposal to the county for the project, has thereby agreed that it has no direct or indirect pecuniary or proprietary interest, and that it shall not acquire any interest, which conflicts in any manner or degree with the project and that it shall not employ any person or agent having any such interest. If the respondent or its agents, employees or representatives hereafter acquires such a conflict of interest, it shall immediately disclose such interest to the county and act immediately to eliminate the conflict or to withdraw from this agreement, as the county may require.

• Respondent, by submitting a proposal to the county has thereby agreed that no person or agency except bona fide employees or designated agents or representatives of respondent has been or will be employed or retained by the respondent to work on the project and that no gratuities, in the form of entertainment, gifts or otherwise, were offered or given by respondent or any of its agents, employees or representatives, to any official, member or employee of the county or other governmental agency with a view toward securing favorable treatment with respect to awarding or amending, or the making of any determination with respect to this project.

Appendix A: Solar PV Siting for Cumberland County

Appendix B: Energy Supply Agreement with Constellation New Energy

Appendix C: Cumberland County Buildings Available for Net Metering

Building Name Address Square feet

Aging Office 1100 Claremont Road Carlisle PA 8,024

Claremont Road Support Facilities (electronics recycling, barn, facilities work space

1101 Claremont Road Carlisle PA

6,979 (barn) 4,640 (facilities workspace)

Domestic Relations 13 North Hanover St Carlisle PA 23,315

Dennis Marion Public Services Building

16 West High St Carlisle PA 37,918

Main Courthouse (includes East Wing and Bixler)

1 Courthouse Square Carlisle PA 91,058

Historic Courthouse 2 Courthouse Square Carlisle PA 22,020

Historic Jail 37 East High St Carlisle PA 31,108

Public Safety Building 1 Public Safety Drive Carlisle PA 24,233

Prison 1101 Claremont Road

Carlisle PA 178,410

Cumberland County Owned Buildings Available for Net Metering

Appendix D: Cumberland County Utility Charges

Account Number Service Address Location 2025 KWH

20432-02000 Claremont Road,Lights Carlisle PA 17013 Barn - CL-Light

5,601.00

20665-26227 35 E. High - Vector Shed Carlisle PA 17013 Vector Shed/OJ Rear

12,002.28

26420-78002 1001 Claremont Rd Carlisle PA 17013-7310 Barn

20,881.45

26445-20278 13 N. Hanover St Carlisle PA 17013-3014 DRO

157,507.68

28620-78002 1100 Claremont Rd Carlisle PA 17015-8560 Aging

76,365.120

30360-71005 Courthouse East Wing S. Hanover & High St

Carlisle PA 17013 Main Courthouse -EW

996,156.60

30420-78001 1101 Claremont Road Carlisle PA 17015-8651 Prison

2,755,377.75

40160-65002 1 S. Hanover St Carlisle PA 17013 Main Courthouse

678,229.80

57590-87007 16 W. High St Carlisle PA 17013-2919 DMB

603,052.20

60665-26221 37 E. High St Carlisle PA 17013-3072 Historic Jail

132,728.80

66855-29306 Old Courthouse S. Hanover St Carlisle PA 17013 Historic Courthouse

128,319.44

96331-94009 1 Public Safety Drive Carlisle PA 17013-7300 PSB

1,073,571.60

Cumberland County PPL - KWH - 2025