2024-TFC-ISDRFI-001_Final.pdf

California Air Resources Board (CARB)

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Event Number: 2024-TFC-ISDRFI-001

For

Tracking Feedstock Characteristics (TFC)

Release: 10/24/2024

Intentionally left blank

Table of Contents Request for Information (RFI) Introduction and Overview

A. Purpose of this RFI B. Key Action Dates C. RFI Response Instructions D. Contact Information E. Vendor Questions F. RFI Disclaimer

ATTACHMENTS

Vendor Profile

Request for Information (RFI)

DATE: 10/24/2024

TO: All Interested Parties

FROM: California Air Resources Board, Industrial Strategies Division, hereafter referred to as the State

SUBJECT: Event Number: 2024-TFC-ISDRFI-001,Tracking Feedstock Characteristics (TFC)

Introduction and Overview

This Request for Information (RFI) is being released by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), Industrial Strategies Division (ISD). The RFI is to solicit information and best practices from the vendor community in an effort to assist the State in determining what is currently available in the marketplace based on the objectives and requirements as described herein, and to approximate the funds that may be needed to acquire the necessary information.

A. Purpose of this RFI

The Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) is a key part of a comprehensive set of programs in California that cut Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and other smog-forming and toxic air pollutants from the transport sector. The LCFS is part of a broader suite of regulations and incentives in California aimed at improving vehicle technology, reducing fossil fuel consumption, and increasing transportation mobility options. The LCFS is designed to decrease the carbon intensity of California's transportation fuel pool and provide an increasing range of low-carbon and renewable alternatives, which reduce petroleum dependency and achieve air quality benefits. The LCFS program creates a financial incentive for fuel producers to deliver low-carbon fuel to California and is designed to incentivize and support increasing utilization of waste-based low-carbon fuels in California.

The purpose of this RFI is to solicit information and suggestions from research-oriented institutes and commercial vendors that could be used to improve the State’s administration of the LCFS, and improve access to data to State staff and third-party verification bodies on biofuel feedstock sources. The primary goal from this RFI is to better understand the potential laboratory or other analytical or process-based methods that may exist to routinely analyze biofuel feedstocks or finished biofuel for the existence of virgin oils (e.g. palm oil, soybean oil, canola oil, or other oil feedstocks). The State is seeking input on the following:

1. Information on methods for identifying and distinguishing feedstock composition, including differentiating between used and virgin cooking oils, for biodiesel and renewable diesel by testing, traceability, or other means for finished fuels. Response should include degree of accuracy for the method/solution, the initial time, personnel, and financial resources needed to establish the method/process, and any ongoing maintenance requirements for the potential solution.

2. Information on methods for identifying and distinguishing feedstock composition, including differentiating between used and virgin cooking oils, of biodiesel and renewable diesel by testing or otherwise analyzing feedstock batches. Response should include degree of accuracy for the method/solution, the initial time, personnel, and financial resources needed to establish the method/process, and any ongoing maintenance requirements for the potential solution.

3. Information on methods for collecting test samples of either feedstocks or finished fuels at biodiesel and renewable diesel refineries supplying the California Market to support identification of fuel feedstocks.

4. Information on other methods, data sources, or records (including bill of sales or other documentation) for feedstock tracking and verification to identify and prevent intentional or unintentional use of virgin oils in place of used cooking oil.

As laboratory, documentation, and information technology systems and infrastructure have evolved since the State’s LCFS was first designed and implemented, State staff is seeking information on the current state of technological, analytical, or administrative solutions to support administration of the LCFS and ensure appropriate feedstock characterizations. Interested parties are invited to describe potential products and solutions, and to suggest strategies to assist the State in determining what is currently available in the marketplace based on the objectives and requirements as described herein, and to approximate the dollars that may be needed to acquire or utilize the potential solution. Multiple products or solutions may be described in the RFI response.

Collective information provided by the vendor community may be used to develop or identify solution alternatives, specifications, and/or cost estimations necessary to acquire systems, solutions or software. The State understands that data provided in this RFI is not sufficient to enable detailed analysis and costing by vendors. Please provide your best advice based on your experience with other organizations and initiatives of this kind. Responses to this RFI should adhere to the questions listed in the Attachments.

Completion of this RFI shall be performed at no cost to the State. The intent of this RFI is solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. A contract will not be awarded based on this RFI.

Please read this RFI document thoroughly and adhere to the response submission guidelines.

B. Key Action Dates

Listed below are the RFI Key Action Dates and times (all times noted are Pacific Time) by which actions should be taken or completed.

Event Date / Time Release RFI 10/24/2024 Intent to Respond Due (Optional but Encouraged) (Response Due Via Email)

10/31/2024 by 3:00 p.m. PT

Last Day to Submit Questions Due 11/6/2024 by 12:00 p.m. PT Release of Answers and/or Addenda 11/13/2024 RFI Response Due Date 11/25/2024 by 3:00 p.m. PT

C. RFI Response Instructions

1. Responses to this RFI must be submitted via e-mail, preferably in the native file format of Microsoft Word, to the State’s contact listed in Section I.D. Contact Information, and must include the following information in the email subject line: 2024-TFC-ISDRFI-001.

2. Contact information including the name, title, address, phone number, and e-mail address of the primary contact person for the RFI.

3. Responses must be submitted by the date and time stated in the Key Action Dates.

4. Vendors must submit a signed cover letter with their response to the RFI that also includes a statement by the individual certifying the information in the response is true and accurate to the best of his/her knowledge at the time of submittal.

5. Vendors should list a scope of work required for each product or solution identified in the RFI Response.

6. The State is requesting Voluntary Cost Information from Vendors to this RFI. The State understands that the costs provided are voluntary and non-binding. Cost information may be used to develop cost estimations and budgets. Vendors are encouraged to provide a general cost value (or range of costs) for each product or solution identified in the RFI Response.

D. Contact Information

Vendors must submit their written response, via e-mail to the State contact listed below:

Contact: Sakinah Carter Agency: California Air Resources Board Email: Sakinah.carter@arb.ca.gov Phone: (279) 208-7804

E. Vendor Questions

Vendors must submit questions regarding this RFI, via e-mail, by the specified date and time stated in the Key Action Dates to the email contact stated in Section D. Contact Information.

What to Include in an Inquiry

1. Include in the subject line of the e-mail: 2024-TFC-ISDRFI-001 and “Question(s).”

2. Vendor name and contact, telephone number, e-mail address.

3. A description of the subject or issue in question, or discrepancy found.

4. RFI section, page number, or other information useful in identifying the specific problem or issue stated in the question.

5. All questions will be responded to in writing (via e-mail) to all parties that have expressed an intent to respond to the RFI.

F. RFI Disclaimer

This RFI is strictly informative for the State and it is not a competitive bidding process. The State is under no obligation to vendors in any manner whatsoever. Neither this RFI nor any information provided by any vendors hereto shall be deemed to create any legally binding agreement or obligations upon the State. A response to this RFI is not an offer and cannot be accepted by the State to form a binding contract. This RFI is solely designed to provide the State with meaningful information to assist the State with developing or identifying solution alternatives, specifications, and/or cost estimations necessary to acquire desired result.

This RFI is issued for information and planning purposes only, and it does not constitute a solicitation. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Vendors are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. The State is not responsible for any expenses associated with responding to this RFI. The State may consider vendor responses in developing specifications and requirements for development of the future solicitations for the TFC project, such as, but not limited to, a Request for Offer (RFO), Request for Quotation (RFQ), Invitation for Bid (IFB), Request for Proposal (RFP), or other action.

The submission of a response does not constitute any commitment on the part of the Vendor.

However, the vendor agrees that the submitted information is correct to the best of the vendor’s knowledge. Also, the right to compete in future procurements is not affected in the event that the party chooses not to submit a response to this RFI. The State is also interested in learning the reasons for not submitting a response and may reach out to Vendors who did not submit a response in this regard.

Vendors are advised that all documents submitted in response to this RFI will become the property of the State of California, and will be regarded as public records under the California Public Records Act (CPRA) pursuant to Government Code Section 6250 et seq. and subject to review by the public.

The intent of this RFI is to validate project objectives and requirements for possible future solicitations. Please do not include any confidential or proprietary information in responses to this RFI as it may be disclosed or be subject to the CPRA.

ATTACHMENTS

Vendor Profile

1. Identify the Company Name, address, city, state, zip code, and telephone numbers.

2. Identify the name, title, address, phone numbers, and email address of the primary contact person for this RFI.

3. Provide a brief overview of your company including number of years in business, number of employees, nature of business, and description of clients.

4. Identify any parent corporation and/or subsidiaries, if applicable.

5. Give a brief description of your company’s product(s), system(s), service(s), etc. that may be relevant to this RFI.

6. Provide Curriculum Vitae of key personnel including any academic qualifications, publications, patents, similar work with governmental bodies, etc.

7. Describe how you ensure QA/QC of solutions.

8. Describe your problem solving and iteration processes.