CEHNC-031467-OT_Attachment_3_Government_Responses.pdf

Attachment 3 - Government Responses to Industry Questions

Request for White Papers CEHNC-031467-OT

The Government received questions from industry on the Request for White Papers (RFWP).

Similar questions have been combined, and the responses below are grouped by topic. Offerors should use these responses in preparing white papers. Government does not intend to provide additional responses to questions. Offerors should make reasonable assumptions and document in the white paper response. Overarching goal is to get industry responses and communicate with those industry partners who provide compelling solutions.

1. Submission and Closing Date Closing date and submission method Per this Amendment 3, the closing date for white papers is 16 October 2026, 1700 Central Daylight Time (CDT). Per Amendment 2, white papers shall be submitted by email to the addresses listed in the Request for White Papers (RFWP); submission through PIEE is not required. Documents may be submitted as separate files. The Government will confirm receipt by reply email.

2. White Paper Format and Content Page limits and formatting The white paper is limited to five pages, including any Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) narrative. Up to two additional pages are allowed for the schedule and acronym glossary. The cover page, Attachment 1, Attachment 2, and equipment cut sheets do not count against the page limit. Schedule pages may be submitted on 11 by 17-inch sheets. Tables, charts, and figures may use Arial no smaller than 10-point; narrative text shall be 12-point Arial. Teaming letters, past performance information, and key personnel biographies are not requested at this stage.

Number of white papers An offeror may submit one white paper covering both site profiles, or a separate white paper for each distinct solution. Each white paper is subject to the page limits above.

Data rights assertions Offerors shall identify anticipated data rights assertions in the white paper as required by Part V of the RFWP. These are not binding and may be refined. The Government's need for data rights and design documentation depends on the solution selected and will be negotiated with offerors selected to receive a Request for Prototype Proposal (RFPP).

Environmental and design assumptions Offerors may state their own environmental design basis in the white paper. Offerors shall state the environmental design assumptions used, including temperature range, elevation, wind, seismic, and snow.

Notification and feedback Offerors not selected will be notified after Other Transaction (OT) agreements are in place.

Feedback will be provided at that time.

3. Eligibility and Teaming Existing solutions Existing systems capable of providing the mission capabilities described in the RFWP may be viable. Offerors with existing solutions are encouraged to respond to the RFWP.

Partnering and complete solutions Partnering referenced in the Introduction of the RFWP is between the offeror and the Government. Responses shall provide a prototype for a complete solution at each site. The Government is seeking total solutions, whether a team or a single entity brings the solution.

Nontraditional defense contractor (NDC) participation Consistent with 10 U.S.C. § 4022(d)(1)(A) and Part IV, item 1 of the RFWP, a traditional defense contractor prime satisfies the eligibility requirement if at least one NDC or nonprofit research institution participates to a significant extent in the prototype project. That participation may be at the prime, team member, subcontractor, lower-tier vendor, or intra-company business unit level, as stated in Paragraph 3 of Attachment 1.

The statement in Attachment 1 that the NDC definition “only applies if the organization is acting as the prime contractor” refers only to the prime offeror’s self-certification in Paragraph 2. It does not limit NDC participation to the prime level. A traditional defense contractor prime relying on NDC participation shall complete Paragraph 3 of Attachment 1, identify each participating NDC, and describe the significant participation each will provide. Whether participation is significant will be determined by the Agreements Officer, with input from technical advisors.

Attachment 1 was revised by Amendment 3 to clarify this language.

If the prime offeror certifies as an NDC in Paragraph 2 of Attachment 1, Paragraph 3 is not required and may be marked “Not Applicable.”

An NDC is not required to supply every element of the solution itself; however, each white paper must present a complete solution for each site. When teaming with a traditional defense contractor, the NDC must participate to a significant extent.

4. Award Structure and Sites Number of sites, profiles, and agreements The Government anticipates 10 to 12 sites. Each site will be either a Site A or a Site B profile;

no site will combine both. No additional site profiles are anticipated at this time; however, requirements may evolve as the program develops. The number of OT agreements, and the sites assigned to each, will be determined after the Government reviews the solutions offered.

An offeror may be selected for a single site, multiple sites, or all sites, of either or both profiles.

Each white paper shall present a complete solution for each site profile addressed; partial solutions will not be considered.

Dollar values stated in the RFWP The dollar values stated in the RFWP are Government planning estimates for the overall effort.

They do not correspond to a specific number of sites and are not a price target, floor, or ceiling.

Offerors shall base their ROM on their own proposed solution using Attachment 2.

5. Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) Pricing Pricing basis Using the ROM template at Attachment 2 of this Amendment 3, offerors shall provide a ROM price for one complete Site A and one complete Site B, including all listed loads and quantities, with extended pricing based on five (5) sites of each profile as shown in the template. Offerors may respond to Site A only, Site B only, or both. Offerors shall also state the maximum number of sites of each profile they can deliver and make operational by 28 February 2028. For planning purposes, assume 10 to 12 total sites, with 5 to 6 of each profile (Site A, Site B).

Options and auxiliary systems Load banks, additional redundancy (N+2), and Operations and Maintenance shall be priced as the separate line items identified in the template. Auxiliary systems proposed to meet the technical requirements, such as stored energy systems, are not options and shall be included in the base price.

Interim power solution Offerors shall describe their interim power solution in the white paper. Its cost shall be included within the Non-recurring Costs line of Attachment 2, sized to the maximum load of the applicable site profile. The conditions under which the Government would direct use of interim power will be addressed during scope clarification and negotiations with offerors selected to receive an RFPP.

6. Schedule and Payment Notice to Proceed and schedule basis For schedule purposes, offerors shall assume Notice to Proceed in 1st Quarter, Fiscal Year 2027 (Government fiscal year) and shall show milestone durations in days after Notice to Proceed. All proposed sites shall be operational by 28 February 2028. The schedule shall cover the number of sites the offeror proposes to deliver; phased schedules are acceptable. The schedule shall not assume use of the interim power solution, which is a contingency if the modular solution is not operational by 28 February 2028.

Long-lead equipment The Government is open to payment structures that support early procurement of long-lead equipment, including milestone payments tied to equipment orders. Offerors shall identify long-lead items, required order dates, and proposed payable milestones in the white paper. Terms will be negotiated in the OT agreement.

Pricing structure at the RFPP stage The pricing structure will be established at the RFPP stage. Offerors should anticipate that a firm fixed price for the full project will be required with the prototype proposal. Payable milestones will be negotiated in the OT agreement.

Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) A DPAS priority rating has not been assigned at this time. A “DX” rating must be approved at the Secretariat level. The Government will evaluate whether to request a priority rating as the OT process progresses.

7. Agreement Terms Agreement articles Agreement articles will be discussed with offerors selected to receive an RFPP.

Wage rates For ROM purposes, offerors shall assume construction wage determinations apply to on-site installation labor and service wage determinations apply to Operations and Maintenance work.

Because site locations are not provided, offerors shall use reasonable rate assumptions and state them in the white paper. Final applicability will be established during negotiation of the OT agreement.

Domestic preference The Build America, Buy America Act applies to federally funded infrastructure assistance programs and does not apply to this effort. Buy American Act concepts will be incorporated into the OT agreement. In the white paper, offerors shall identify the country of origin for major components (engines, alternators, switchgear, and transformers) and identify any component for which a domestic source is not available within the required schedule. The extent of application and any exception process will be addressed during negotiations with offerors selected to receive an RFPP.

Bonding and warranty Performance and payment bonds, or other acceptable financial security, will be required for the on-site installation portion of the work only. The amount will be negotiated in the OT agreement.

Offerors shall include bonding costs within the Non-recurring Costs line of Attachment 2.

Offerors shall also provide the standard warranty terms, including duration and coverage, for major equipment (generators, switchgear, transformers, and controls). Warranty terms shall be submitted with the equipment cut sheets and do not count against the white paper page limit.

Project Labor Agreement A Project Labor Agreement is not required for this effort.

8. Security and Cybersecurity Security This effort will require facility and personnel security clearances, and a DD Form 254 will be issued. The classification level, the clearance requirements for on-site and off-site personnel, and the marking and handling requirements for site layouts and design deliverables will be provided to offerors selected to receive an RFPP. Offerors shall state their current facility clearance status and their ability to obtain personnel clearances in the white paper.

Cybersecurity The SCADA system and the utility monitoring system are considered Platform Information Technology and each requires an Authority to Operate (ATO). The Government is responsible for obtaining the ATO. The offeror shall provide the system documentation needed to support the authorization package and implement cyber-hardening measures, which will be defined at the RFPP stage. The SCADA system will be air-gapped. If an ATO is not granted by 28 February 2028, the system may operate air-gapped under temporary authority granted by the Authorizing Official.

Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) and Controlled Unclassified Information requirements will be defined at the RFPP stage; offerors shall state their current CMMC status in the white paper.

9. Site Loads and Generation Sizing Site A For ROM purposes, offerors shall size generation for the stated Site A maximum load of 18 to 22 MW (real power), with a continuous load of 6 MW. Where the itemized load schedule differs from the stated maximum, the stated maximum governs generation sizing. The itemized schedule shall be used to size distribution to each individual load. The 18 to 22 MW requirement in the Generators section applies to Site A only. Offerors shall state their sizing assumptions in the white paper. Detailed load data will be provided at the RFPP stage.

Site B For ROM purposes, offerors shall size generation for the stated Site B maximum load of 13 to 15 MW, with a nominal load of 4.5 MW. Total Site B load will not exceed 15 MW; the itemized schedule shall be used to size distribution to each individual load, not total generation. The Site A and Site B values are not reversed. Offerors shall state their sizing assumptions in the white paper. Detailed load data will be provided at the RFPP stage.

Load schedule details The terms “continuous load” and “nominal load” are interchangeable and represent the steady-state, day-to-day load at each site. There is no load-shed or load-add scenario; all loads, including the step load once connected, are continuous.

The design basis for Site A, Load 1 is 2 MVA. At Site B, Load 1 is 4160 VAC and the remaining loads are 480 VAC or as indicated. Where a load is listed with a quantity greater than one, each unit is a separate load requiring a separate transformer and feed. The number of load locations stated in the RFWP is approximate.

Redundancy and fuel basis (definition of N) N generators must supply the peak load. The “+1” and “+2” generators are for system redundancy only. Redundancy must be provided at the packaged-unit level; multiple generation cores within a single unit do not count toward N+1 or N+2.

Generator ratings and alternate configurations Generators operating in parallel at a site shall be the same make, model, and rating. The Government is open to alternate configurations, including lower-voltage generation for smaller loads, provided all requirements of the RFWP are met, including redundancy.

Stored energy Stored energy systems may be used to support the transient load and power quality requirements. Diesel engines are required for all power generation.

Closed transition Closed transition applies to generator-to-generator transfer and to the provisional utility connection.

Specifications and shielding The specifications referenced in Part II.C of the RFWP are the technical requirements listed in Part II.C. Shielding is not required.

10. Power Quality and Transient Load Transient load profile The maximum step load is expected to be between 6 and 12 MW and near instantaneous. The step load is non-linear. Repeated on-off cycling will not occur; the load will increase, remain at the maximum for a period of time, and then return to normal. For the transient load cycling requirement, “full load” means the combined maximum site load.

Measurement and standards Power quality requirements are as stated in Part II.C of the RFWP. Voltage regulation shall be measured at the utilization point (load interface). Governing standards and test conditions will be defined at the RFPP stage. Offerors shall state the performance class and harmonic performance their solution achieves and the standard used to measure it.

11. SETS Equipment, Interface, and Grounding SETS equipment and point of demarcation SETS is Government-furnished mission equipment, provided by others, that connects downstream of the offeror’s 4160 VAC power solution. The offeror is not responsible for providing SETS equipment. The SETS equipment suite includes its own transformer; the offeror shall furnish all other transformers needed to serve the listed loads. The point of demarcation is at the terminals of each load. The offeror shall furnish and install all cable, terminations, and connectors up to that point. Connections are intended to be pin-and-sleeve type, including the 100A connectors at Site A, Load 6.

Grounding The generator neutral grounding resistor (NGR) provides the high-impedance grounding required on the primary side of the 4160V transformer. The 240-ohm SETS grounding resistor is provided with the SETS equipment and connects on the secondary side of that transformer. The transformer electrically isolates the two, so the generator NGRs shall remain connected at all times, including during paralleled operation and black start.

Interface documentation An interface control document is not available at this time. The Government intends to provide interface details, a list of Government-furnished equipment, and protection coordination criteria at the RFPP stage. For ROM purposes, offerors shall state their interface assumptions in the white paper.

12. Emissions and Air Permitting Tier 2 and Tier 4 requirements Generators shall be equipped with Tier 4 emissions controls that the operator can disable on demand. With those controls disabled, the engine shall meet Tier 2 emissions levels. At the white paper stage, manufacturer emissions certification or emissions data for the proposed engine is acceptable documentation. The conditions under which Tier 4 controls would be disabled are a Government operational decision.

Air permits For ROM purposes, offerors shall assume the Government is responsible for air permits and any approvals to operate with Tier 4 controls disabled; the offeror shall provide the equipment emissions data needed to support permitting. Final permitting responsibilities will be addressed during scope clarification and negotiations with offerors selected to receive an RFPP.

13. Fuel, Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), and Fire Protection Storage sizing and responsibilities Fuel and DEF storage shall support N generators operating at nameplate rating for three days;

storage for the redundant (+1 or +2) generators is not required. DEF storage shall be sized assuming continuous Tier 4 operation. The offeror shall furnish storage tanks, secondary containment, and piping, and shall prepare the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure plan. Storage shall be above grade and relocatable; offerors shall state the proposed tank type in the white paper. For ROM purposes, assume the Government is responsible for tank registration and environmental permits.

Resupply After the initial fill, fuel and DEF resupply is a Government responsibility. The Operations and Maintenance option covers maintenance support only.

Fire protection No water will be available at the sites. The prototype shall include all resources necessary to provide fire protection.

14. Controls and Utility Monitoring

MIL-STD-3071

MIL-STD-3071 applies to all power generation and distribution, including communications and controls.

Utility monitoring The utility monitoring system requires one-way outbound reporting only. For ROM purposes, assume a standalone system reporting over commercial satellite communications furnished by the offeror, with no connection to an installation network. The reporting interface is open. Final connection requirements will be defined at the RFPP stage.

15. Design Criteria and Deliverables Design documents Shop drawings showing how components and loads are interconnected are required. Signed and sealed drawings are not required. Drawing requirements will be discussed during scope clarification and negotiations with offerors selected to receive an RFPP.

Design criteria UFC 1-201-01 (Non-Permanent DoD Facilities in Support of Military Operations) applies to this effort. Other UFCs, including UFC 3-520-01, 3-540-01, and 3-550-01, apply as directed by UFC 1-201-01. The applicable facility life category will be defined at the RFPP stage; offerors shall state the design life assumed in the white paper.

Site criteria Site locations and site-specific design criteria will be provided at the RFPP stage. Solutions must operate in all environments within the 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii.

16. Site Scope, Delivery, and Relocatability Division of responsibility The Site Construction Contractor will provide roads, grading, pads and foundations, the site grounding system, stormwater management, fencing, site lighting, and security systems.

Geotechnical, topographic, and environmental evaluations will be conducted by the Site Construction Contractor.

The offeror shall provide delivery, offloading, and setting of equipment; all cable between the power equipment and the loads; transformers; fuel and DEF systems; bonding of equipment to the site grounding system; controls and communications wiring; and final terminations. The selected offeror is expected to coordinate product specifications and requirements with the Government so each site can be developed as needed by the Site Construction Contractor.

Responsibility for trenching, duct banks, and conduit has not been determined; for ROM purposes, offerors shall include this work within the existing line items of Attachment 2.

Laydown and transport For ROM purposes, assume a laydown area is available at each site and state the area required. Road load ratings are not available; offerors shall state the weight of the heaviest transported module. The offeror is responsible for delivering equipment to each site; no Government-furnished trucks or tractors are available.

Relocatability Equipment is relocatable if it can be readily transported on public roadways and reinstalled at another location without substantial disassembly. Integral trailers are not required; equipment may be skid-mounted and loaded or offloaded by forklift or crane. Department of Transportation highway weight restrictions apply. Standard containerized solutions are connex-type or similar plain-box enclosures not immediately recognizable as power equipment.

Relocation capability may be shown through the product data submission; a live demonstration is not required. Offerors shall plan and price the initial installation only, not future relocation.

17. Testing and Commissioning Responsibility The awardee is responsible for the complete integrated system, commissioning, and site testing. The awardee shall provide a system integrator and manufacturer representatives on site during commissioning and testing of all systems. The number and duration of these events will be negotiated in the OT agreement.

Acceptance testing Factory acceptance testing and on-site field verification are both required; the system shall pass factory acceptance testing before delivery. Success criteria will be defined at the RFPP stage.

For ROM purposes, offerors shall include any load banks needed for on-site acceptance testing;

these are separate from the optional transportable load bank.

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