Solication No. 693JF722R000004 - Microgrid Questions and Answers.pdf

Solicitation No. 693JF722R000004 Questions and Answers for Microgrid Pilot/Hybrid Demonstration Project

1. Question:

Please confirm the awardee/cooperative agreement would be with the port and not the contractor.

Answer:

The agreement will be with the legal entity which will be granted the fund after official submission/approval/award process. If that legal entity is the port…..then the awardee will be the port and not any sub-contractors. If that legal entity is MESA Solutions….then the awardee will be the MESA Solutions and not the port.

2. Question:

If the port is the awardee, could their contractor submit the information through SAM on their behalf, or will the port have to do so?

Answer:

There are no restrictions who can submit the information through SAM. However, if the port is the awardee and Mary Solutions wants to submit on their behalf, it should be clear in the application that some type of collaboration will be held between the port and MESA Solutions.

3. Question:

The announcement requires reduced air emissions which natural gas solutions provide but then lists alternate energy sources that do not include natural gas. Will natural gas microgrids comply?

If not, will natural gas combined with renewable sources comply? We integrate renewables with gas generation in our solution sets.

Answer:

Microgrids powered only by natural gas is NOT an option and this is not what we are looking for.

Microgrids powered by a combination of renewable sources and natural gas is acceptable.

4. Question:

Since this is a cooperative agreement contract not a grant. In such case how is the accounting and single audit different or is it?

Answer:

There is no difference in the accounting and single audit for a cooperative agreement.

5. Question:

Is the project available to entities that are not small businesses? The funding source is indicated as “Partial Small Business Set-Aside.”

Yes. The announcement has been amended to reflect that it is open to everyone, not just small businesses.

6. Question:

I am managing a microgrid demonstration project, at a Port that is currently underway. We are just about to start construction. This is an $18M project that is receiving $5M in funding from the Commission. We will be finished in March 2024. Would this project be eligible for funding under MARAD’s solicitation? Unfortunately, we don’t have another microgrid project under design and Contracting Code requirements, three years isn’t enough time to design, bid and build a project.

Answer:

We are looking for new projects but do not have restrictions funding new elements/phases of existing projects. It all depends on what proposals we receive. However, we would not be able to fund any elements that have already been started or completed before an award is made and contracting mechanisms are signed.

7. Question:

Are private terminals eligible to apply directly as prime?

Answer:

Yes, private terminals are eligible to apply. It is envisioned that any proposal would include multiple partnerships.

8. Question:

Although states not R&D, what is anticipated at this level of proposal, would it not be considered as demonstration?

Answer:

MARAD is seeking to fund a demonstration project and proposals without demonstration feasibility will not be considered.

9. Question:

Samples of reporting requirements - states 3 years including reporting.

Answer:

In general, there are reporting requirements associated with the contracting mechanism.

As noted in the RFP, there is also a requirement for a final project report, that among other things, discusses the objectives/methodologies of the project with lessons learned. That report will be made publicly available on MARAD’s webpage.

10. Question:

What are the liquidation and encumbrance deadlines for the Project?

Answer:

Could you please clarify this question, for instance with an example? We are looking to complete the project within 3 years timeline.

11. Question:

The RFP requests applicants to discuss how the microgrid "will be integrated into existing port operations". Does that exclude the microgrid being deployed at a new port terminal?

No, it doesn’t exclude them. It doesn’t matter if the port terminal will be build at the same time with the microgrid.

12. Question:

Are there any requirements that the energy storage system be stationary, or would mobile microgrid technologies be allowable under the Project?

Answer:

Mobile technologies are allowable as long as they meet the technology readiness and maturity, safety standards etc.

13. Question:

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is 693JF722000004.

14. Question:

Is PDF an acceptable format for the proposal?

Yes, PDF is an acceptable format for your proposal.

15. Question:

Is there a page limitation for the proposal?

Yes, the page limitation for your proposal is ten (10).

16. Question:

Should the proposal include pricing?

Yes, the proposal should include pricing.

17. Question:

Can we collaborate on this solicitation/requirement?

Yes, you can collaborate on this solicitation/requirement, it’s strictly up to your organization .