AMENDMENT 001 - RFP 149159.pdf

Addendum form 2.2 Rev. June 7, 2017 Page 1 of 1

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION

1. AMENDMENT NUMBER A001

2. DATE ISSUED May 7, 2024 3.NUMBER OF PAGES Thirty (30) pages, attachments included

4. ISSUED BY

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND

DEPARTMENT OF PROCUREMENT & BUSINESS SERVICES

2113-R CHESAPEAKE BUILDING

4300 TERRAPIN TRAIL

COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND 20742-6050

POINT OF CONTACT: Karen Elvidge

TELEPHONE NUMBER: 301- 405 - 3269

FACSIMILE NUMBER: 301- 314 - 3011

ELECTRONIC MAIL ADDRESS: kelvidge@UMD.EDU

5. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 4)

6. NAME, ADDRESS AND FEI NUMBER OF CONTRACTOR

TO ALL PROSPECTIVE PROPOSERS

7A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

Proposal No. 149159

7B. DATED

April 29, 2024

8. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION

The solicitation identified in 7A above is amended as set forth in Item 9.

The due date and time specified for receipt of offers/bids is extended, is not extended.

Contractor must acknowledge receipt of this amendment.

FAILURE OF CONTRACTOR’S ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS/BIDS PRIOR TO THE DUE DATE AND TIME SPECIFIED MAY RENDER CONTRACTOR’S OFFER UNACCEPTABLE/NON-

RESPONSIVE AND SUBJECT TO REJECTION.

9. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT (Use additional pages if required)

To include the following documents which are hereby made a part of RFP 149159

1. Pre-Proposal Conference Meeting Sign-In Sheet/Notes, pages 4

2. Attachment Two, pages 9

3. Pre- Proposal Conference Presentation, pages 16

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 7A, including previous amendments, if any, shall remain in full force and effect.

10A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or Print)

11A. NAME OF

PROCUREMENT OFFICER

(Type or Print)

Karen Elvidge, CPPB

10B. CONTRACTOR SIGNATURE

(Signature of Person Authorized to Sign)

10C. DATE SIGNED

RFP 149159 Verified Carbon offsets and other environmental attribute certificates

Attendance:

Karen Elvidge, UMD Procurement Patrick Walsh, UMD Procurement Brennitta Welcher, UMD Procurement Scott Lupin, UMD Environmental Safety, Sustainability & Risk SallyDeLeon, UMD Environmental Safety, Sustainability & Risk Rachel Gessel, NRG, rachel.gessel@nrg.com Pete Gossens, Rubicon Carbon, Pete@rubiconcarb.com Tim Kenney, Global Emissionairy, Tim@GlobalEmissionairy.com Alan Cherkas, NRG, Alan.Cherkas@nrg.com Vikram Prakash, GO2 Markets, vp@go2-markets.com Karen Pinder-McDuffie, WGL Energy, kpmcduffie@wglenergy.com Jeff Olin, NextEra Energy Marketing, Jeff.Olin@nee.com Sajini Patel, ClimeTrek Ltd, sajini.patel@climetrek.com Bernie Kinsella, NRG, Bernard.Kinsella@nrg.com James Peacock, Global Emissionairy, jp@globalemissionairy.com Jordan Stack, ClimatePartner, jordan.stack@climatepartner.com Zane Kershner, NRG, zane.kershner@nrg.com Alison Sheaffer, NRG, alison.sheaffer@nrg.com Jenna Pugliese, Native, jenna.pugliese@native.eco Leena Balian, ClimeTrek, leena@climetrek.com

Notes:

Karen Elvidge explained that UMCP is Service Center and that this contract may also service other campuses such as Bowie State, University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), Salisbury

University, and Frostberg State University.

Sally DeLeon noted that the University has been in the market for credits since 2017. 2025 is a target for carbon neutrality by President Pines, so will need to purchase more than current levels.

The main focus is verified credits. A secondary goal is to source Renewable Energy Credits

(RECs) and Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs). A tertiary goal is to source other environmental attributes. This includes thermal credits. The University may not know about all credits that are available, but would like to hear more options in proposals.

Contract effective date goal is July 1, 2024.

Questions:

Under Scope of Work Section 4.1 it states credits must be voluntary, and operate outside any regulatory or compliance market. If you are looking for the highest quality credits why exclude compliance markets like CARB Cap-and-trade?

A: Several reasons. CARB credits are not always the highest quality. The University has a

School of Public Policy and we follow their recommendations. The University also works with

Second Nature and we follow their offset guidance. Finally, we are trying to help improve the voluntary market.

Would the University consider removing the UMD Accessibility Addendum, the UMD

Secure/Sensitive Data Addendum, and the Section 889 Affidavit from the RFP document? These forms do not appear to be relevant to the sale of carbon offsets, as bidders will not be contracting for IT solutions/software, dealing with sensitive data, or offering telecommunications equipment.

A: Will take a look and address in follow up amendment.

Introduce University employees and students to this work – address in writing

Under Scope of Work Section 4.4 it states the need for volumes of RECs in the range of 75,000 -

100,000 for Tier 1 and 15,000 - 20,000 for Tier II with SRECs in the range of 15,000 - 20,000. Is this a per year need or a total for the entire contract term? Same question for Section 4.5 Green-e

Voluntary.

A: This will be posted in a follow up amendment.

Under Scope of Work Section 4.4 it states the need for volumes of RECs in the range of 75,000 -

100,000 for Tier 1 and 15,000 - 20,000 for Tier II with SRECs in the range of 15,000 - 20,000. Is this a per year need or a total for the entire contract term? Same question for Section 4.5 Green-e

Voluntary.

A: Will answer in follow up amendment.

Can the University please confirm that the period of 120 days that proposals must be valid in section 2.7 “Duration of Proposal Offer” on page 9 of the RFP refers only to a supplier providing the same capabilities and contracting terms and conditions for 120 days and not the amount of time suppliers will be required to hold pricing?

A: This will be corrected.

Under Section 4.2 C. subsection C. it states:

The Offeror must demonstrate access to current carbon offset projects. The Offeror must provide descriptions for at least eight (8) and up to twelve (12) current projects with verified carbon offset credits available for purchase during the next 12 months.

Can you provide background around the requested specific number of projects?

A: We will provide answer in a follow up amendment.

Can the University please clarify where suppliers can reference the “Section C” mentioned in section H “Technical Proposal Template,” item c on page 24 of the RFP? There does not appear to be a “Section C” in the RFP document.

Would the University disqualify a supplier if it does not have 8-12 projects to highlight in its proposal?

Is the University looking to contract directly with a project developer?

A: Not looking to partner directly with project developer. But would be open to a partnership with a successful proposer working with a project developer.

If firms are technically qualified following the RFP does the pricing section begin immediately after?

A: University will award a contract to one or more to those technically qualified firms. Pricing will be worked on throughout the contract. We understand pricing will not remain consistent over the five years of the contract and thus will not request pricing to be locked in.

Are you open to being shown other options in addition to what is listed in the RFP?

A: Yes, we are open to alternative means.

In terms of pricing, would you want a price per project or a median price based on the 8-12 projects?

A: We are trying to be flexible based on the pricing based over the length of the contract, but would prefer a median price. Proposers can talk about how you put a portfolio together to get to that median price. We understand with purchasing how these can fluctuate over time.

Item

Description Priority Respondent Comments

Offeror must be able to provide verified carbon offsets generated by projects that have been certified under at least one of the approved standards.

M

ATTACHMENT 2 - TECHNICAL PROPOSAL TEMPLATE

RFP No. 149159 Verified Carbon Offsets & Other Environmental Attributes

In addition to reviewing submitted information about Market Access, Past Performance, Prior Experience, and contacting References, the technical review committee will review your comments on this template. Submitted portfolios and other information should support the comments summarized here. Technical criteria that will be used by the committee for the technical evaluation of qualifications for this procurement are listed on the template below in order of importance, and coded as follows.

Priority Codes:

M = Mandatory HD = Highly Desirable P = Preferred I = Information

Offeror must be able to manage offset registry sub- accounts dedicated to UMD on UMD’s behalf, retire offsets as specified by UMD and provide documentation to show active and retired offsets in these sub-accounts for up to five (5) years.

Photographs and in-depth project details from all projects supplying a portfolio should be available to the University for use in public reporting at no cost and provided in a timely manner (ideally photos should be included in the attached project summaries submitted with the technical proposal).

All offsets on offer this year from current projects must have a verification report available by June 1, 2023.

Offsets to be purchased in subsequent years must have a verification report available by June 1st of each subsequent year of the contract.

Provide web-ready photographs from current projects supplying offsets and for subsequent years must provide web-ready photographs by July 1st of each subsequent year of the contract.

6.

Offeror is able to provide RECs, SRECs, and Green-e voluntary carbon offsets generated by projects that have been certified and verified according to the registry and eligible to be used toward compliance with Maryland Renewable Portfolio Standards.

HD

7.

Offeror is able to provide RINs and/or RTCs from projects that have been certified and verified according to the registry.

P

8.

Offerors are prepared to involve students, faculty and/or staff in hands-on-learning about projects that are generating offsets for the University’s strategic needs.

Provide a plan with specific steps that the Offeror will take to achieve hands-on learning opportunities.

9.

Offeror should be prepared to provide offsets generated from one or more projects in Maryland and/or the mid-Atlantic “airshed.” D i s c u s s s pecific steps that the Offeror will take to source and/or develop projects in this region.

10.

Offerors should be prepared to discuss and document additionally beyond the minimum additionally requirements for third party verification. Projects that can demonstrate that they would not exist without the financial investment from carbon markets are preferred. The University wishes to select projects that require carbon market investment to be able to remove GHGs from the atmosphere or prevent GHGs from entering the atmosphere.

11.

Offerors who have brokered innovative partnerships with non-profit organizations and/or small businesses that support mitigation and/or adaptation to climate change at the community level and can give clear examples of how purchasing offsets through them supports community-based climate change innovation by leveraging these partnerships.

12.

Offerors should have current availability of offsets from a wide array of vintage years from current projects and expected future availability of offsets for a wide array of vintage years for new/ developing projects.

13.

Offerors are prepared to provide offsets generated from one or more projects with clear climate change resilience and/or community level economic or public health co-benefits.

14.

Offerors have relationships with non-domestic projects in politically stable nations where the University has existing relationships through Education Abroad (https://globalmaryland.umd.edu/offices/educ ation- abroad). Alternative Breaks (http:thestamp.umd.edu/leadership_communi ty_service- learning/programs/alternative breaks) or faculty research (https://research.umd.edu/researchroundup).

The University would like to learn more about the types of projects and the opportunities associated with them. The University is not opposed to purchasing some verified offsets from non-domestic projects, but inclusion of non-domestic projects is not a high priority for proposed portfolios.

I https://globalmaryland.umd.edu/offices/education-abroad https://research.umd.edu/researchroundup

University of Maryland College Park

Request For Proposals (RFP) Verified Carbon Offsets and other Environmental Attributes

Solicitation No. 149159 Pre-Proposal Conference

AGENDA

1. Introductions

2. General Information

3. Questions

4. Objective

5. Contract Period

6. Participation Requirements

7. Scope of Work

8. Proposals & Evaluation

9. Reminders

University of Maryland, Department of Procurement & Business Services:

Karen Elvidge, Procurement Officer

University of Maryland, Department of Scott Lupin, Assistant Director

SOLICITATION SCHEDULE

Pre-Proposal Conference: Friday, May 3, 2024 at 9:00 am

Deadline for Questions: Friday, May 17 , 2024 at 3:00 pm

All questions must be submitted in writing to Karen Elvidge at kelvidge@umd.edu

Technical and Price Proposals Due: Wednesday, June 4, 2024 at 3:00 pm mailto:kelvidge@umd.edu

QUESTIONS

Submit in writing to:

ONLY to Karen Elvidge at kelvidge@umd.edu

Department of Procurement & Business Services (Construction & Facilities Procurement) phone: (301) 405-3269

Questions must be received by May 17, 2024 at 3:00 P.M.

(include RFP# and project name)

OBJECTIVE

The University of Maryland, College Park, (herein referred to as the “University”) is requesting Technical Proposals from qualified Firms to provide Carbon Offsets Services to the University of Maryland College Park (UMCP). The contract may also allow orders to be placed by all institutions of the University System of Maryland.

CONTRACT PERIOD

• Two (2) years with three (3) one (1) year options

SCOPE OF WORK

Sourcing verified carbon credits (offsets) and other environmental attributes for the University as it approaches its 2025 carbon neutrality goal. Please see RFP for additional information.

This IDC will primarily serve the USM System

Service Center

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & CONSTRUCTION

Se le ct io n A pp ro ac h

Selection Approach:

Initial Phase:

• Technical Proposal per RFP

• Short List

Second Phase:

• BPW approval (if required)

• Contract Award

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA https://www.goethe.de/ins/nz/en/kul/mag/21621622.html https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

TECHNICAL PROPOSALS

MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY

VIA THE BOX LINK IN THE RFP:

The subject title should state the proposer’s name, RFP number, and the project name prominently displayed, together with the words, “TECHNICAL PROPOSAL”.

TECHNICAL PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL

(Section 2.15 of the RFP)

Submit Electronically via the Box Link:

• Detailed responses to the technical criteria

• Submittal of all applicable forms provided.

o Address all points of the solicitation o Subject Line – “Technical Proposal” o All responses to the technical proposal must be submitted

TECHNICAL EVALUATION FACTORS

(Section 2.15 of the RFP)

Failure to include the items listed in the RFP Technical section and attachments may result in a determination by the Procurement Officer that the Proposer in not reasonably susceptible of being selected for award.

Remarks

• Contractor’s are responsible for Parking Permits, contact the Department of Transportation Services at (301)314-3687

• Insurance requirements, please pay attention to the requirements listed in the RFP

For Official Responses:

kelvidge@umd.edu

June 4, 2024 at 3:00 pm

Thank you!