CIP Request for Proposal - RFX-2021-10469.pdf

National Renewable Energy Laboratory Managed and Operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC

Request for Proposals (RFP) SUB-2021-10469

“2021 Distributed Wind Turbine Competitiveness Improvement Project”

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

READ THIS DOCUMENT CAREFULLY

This solicitation is being conducted under the procedures for competitive subcontracts established by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). NREL will award a subcontract based on the following:

All Statement of Work (SOW) requirements being met with the best combination of:

• Technical factors (based on qualitative merit criteria), and

• Evaluated price (or cost)

Issue Date: 01/20/2021 Due Date: 02/26/2021 Time Due: 2:00 p.m. Mountain Time

Technical questions must be received in writing no later than Friday, February 5th

Written questions concerning this solicitation document and its requirements will be answered in writing. In response to technical questions, NREL will issue an amendment to this solicitation document that will formally provide all the questions and answers. The amendment will be posted to beta.sam.gov.

1. Solicitation Type Best Value Selection Firm Fixed Price with Price Participation

Submit offers to and request information from the NREL Contact below

2. NREL RFP Contact Kyndall Jackson, Subcontract Administrator National Renewable Energy Laboratory 15013 Denver West Parkway, MS: RSF030 Golden, CO 80401 Phone: (303) 275-4253 Email: Kyndall.Jackson@nrel.gov

Electronic (PDF) copies of forms and appendices can be found at the following addresses:

http://www.nrel.gov/workingwithus/forms.html https://www.nrel.gov/workingwithus/standard-terms.html

3. Project description

The 2021 Distributed Wind Turbine Competitiveness Improvement Project (CIP) is comprised of eight (8) different topic areas, as specified in the Statement of Work (Attachment 1), dated, January 12, 2021:

mailto:Kyndall.Jackson@nrel.gov

• Prototype Design Development

• Prototype Testing

• Component Innovation

• System Optimization

• Small Turbine Certification and/or Listing

• Type Certification (IEC 61400-1) and Listing

• Manufacturing Process Innovation

• Prototype Manufacture and Installation

Proposal submissions should address individual topic areas. Offerors may submit multiple proposals for multiple topic areas. Do not submit proposals that combine topic areas. Component manufacturers must collaborate with at least one (1) turbine Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and turbine OEMs may collaborate together for generic parts or processes. See item 10e.

4. Proposed subcontract award and period of performance

The Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC has entered into Contract No. DE-AC36- 08GO28308 with the Department of Energy (DOE), an agency of the U.S. Government, for the management and operation of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (hereinafter called “NREL”). All references to “NREL” in this solicitation shall mean the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

The anticipated period of performance is execution through twenty-one (21) months.

The estimated budget for each topic area per award from NREL is as follows:

• Prototype Design Development – Maximum $200,000

• Prototype Testing – Maximum $250,000

• Component Innovations – Maximum $400,000

• System Optimization – Maximum $400,000

• Small Turbine Certification and/or Listing – Maximum $190,000 for turbine certification, $80,000 additional if loads measurement based, $80,000 additional for turbine Listing to UL 6142, or $200,000 for inverter Listing

• Type Certification (IEC 61400-1) and Listing – Maximum $800,000

• Manufacturing Process Innovation – Maximum $500,000

• Prototype Manufacture and Installation – Maximum $300,000 or $50,000 plus $3/W peak power, whichever is less, for turbine manufacture and a maximum $100,000 or $20,000 plus $1/W peak power, whichever is less, for turbine installation.

A minimum price participation of 20% is required for each topic area with the exception of Manufacturing Process Innovation, and Prototype Manufacture and Installation which have a minimum price participation requirement of 50%. Price participation is defined as a percentage of the total allowable and allocable costs under this subcontract, which may be met by contributions by the Offeror and/or by contributions from the Offeror’s lower-tier Offeror(s) or supplier(s) at no cost to NREL. All costs must be allowable and allocable under the terms of the Federal Acquisition Regulations and DOE Acquisitions Regulations.

Offerors are encouraged to include any company owned materials, supplies, or equipment in their price participation. Additionally, offerors are encouraged to cover new equipment, tooling and non-US based technical services as part of their price participation.

Prototype Design Development, Prototype Manufacture and Installation, Prototype Testing, Small Turbine Certification and/or Listing, and Type Certification (IEC 61400-1) and Listing Topic Areas include a formal design review or design evaluation. A failure of these reviews or evaluations will impact the availability of full project funding.

5. Competitive negotiated subcontract using Best Value Selection

This solicitation shall be conducted using Best Value Selection that results in an award that is most advantageous to NREL and DOE based on the best value combination of (a) evaluated qualitative merit, (b) evaluated price (cost) of the offers submitted, and (c) additional factors for evaluation provided in Section 9 of this document.

Best Value Selection is based on the premise that, if all offers are of approximately equal qualitative merit, award will be made to the offeror with the lowest evaluated price (cost).

However, NREL will consider awarding to an offeror with a higher evaluated price (cost) if the offer demonstrates the difference in price (cost) is commensurate with higher qualitative merit. Conversely, NREL will consider awarding to an offeror with a lower evaluated qualitative merit if the price (cost) differential between it and other offers warrant doing so.

6. Qualitative merit criteria for Best Value Selection

The Statement of Work (Attachment 1) for each topic area in this Request for Proposal (RFP) serves as NREL’s baseline requirement that must be met by each offeror.

The qualitative merit criteria establish what NREL considers the technical factors value is in an offer. These qualitative merit criteria are performance-based and permit selection of a higher priced offer that provides higher qualitative merit.

The following qualitative merit criteria for each topic area will be used to determine the technical value of the offer in meeting the objectives of the solicitation. Sub-criteria are not individually weighted but are factors in the overall weighting.

6.1 Prototype Design Development

Each qualitative merit criteria and its assigned weight are provided below.

6.1.1 Technical approach, readiness, and competitive levelized cost of energy

(LCOE) (50%)

a. Detailed description of turbine system, including turbine features (including Attachment 5) highlighting proposed innovation

b. Justification of the value-added difference from existing products or concepts

c. Claims for improved performance or efficiency compared to existing products that are well supported by evidence (such as tests) or physics-based analysis.

d. Claims for estimated life cycle cost are well supported by a cost breakout and either quotes or reference to published costs for the manufacturing methods planned

e. Detailed description of turbine system development including analysis and any testing done to date

f. Description of the work done to develop preliminary loads, such as the use of simplified loads calculations used as a basis for the preliminary design to demonstrate the likelihood of successful certification of the final product. If a validated model was used, such as the NREL Fatigue, Aerodynamics, Structures, and Turbulence (FAST) code, this will be considered sufficient; however, if a new, novel or proprietary model or approach was used, information must be included on the basis for the approach and the level of certainty

g. Detailed description of challenges and uncertainties remaining before development of a prototype will be ready for testing (while prototype testing is not part of this offering, the end result should be a product that is ready or nearly ready for prototype manufacture and testing)

h. Completed Figure of Merit – Cost of Energy (In the Attachment 4 supplement, use the column marked Baseline in the spreadsheet for current cost of energy calculations which may be for an earlier model turbine or a competitor’s turbine or a competitive technology. Use the column marked Proposal for costs expected after this project development. These costs should be based on expected production at volume and at this stage will be partly based on estimates. Provide additional documentation on costs as needed, but specifically if they are key drivers of estimated cost savings)

i. Provide detailed description of the innovations compared to existing products that will contribute to a reduced LCOE

6.1.2 Development plan (25%)

a. Development plan with details of technical challenges, timeline and expected accomplishments

b. Market development plan with details of business development challenges, timeline and expected steps demonstrating a full understanding of the process to develop an operating business in the U.S. market around the new turbine or component

c. Discussion of the path to certification planned, specifically the loads development approach that can be used for certification (while certification is not part of this offering the end product should ultimately have a path to certification)

6.1.3 Team/personnel/expertise (25%)

a. Description of company’s or principal’s recent and relevant experience in the U.S.

distributed wind turbine market

b. Qualifications of proposed project team members shall be described in relation to their responsibilities on the project, including resumes of key team members.

Demonstrate that all required expertise is available whether direct employees, consultants, or will be obtained if the project is selected for award. If no one on the team has wind design experience, provide background on experience or expertise that qualifies them for the proposed effort. Resumes of all project team members should be included as attachments to the proposal and will not apply to the proposal page count limitation

c. Demonstrate ability to execute previous projects (preferably turbine or product development projects) on time/on budget. Provide reference information on previous project experience, including letters if available.

6.2 Prototype Testing

6.2.1 Technical approach and readiness (35%)

Attachment 5)

b. Detailed description of turbine system development and any testing done to date

c. Detailed description of work remaining to have prototype ready to begin testing

d. Preliminary loads table consistent with the standards requirement

e. Completed Figure of Merit – Cost of Energy (In the Attachment 4 supplement, use the column marked Baseline in the spreadsheet for current cost of energy calculations which may be for a preliminary design of the turbine proposed or an earlier model turbine or a competitor’s turbine or a competitive technology. Use the column marked Proposal for costs expected after this project development. These costs should be based on expected production at volume.)

6.2.2 Description of proposed test plan (25%)

a. Detailed description of where prototype test will occur

b. Test plan and supporting documentation of what tests are being conducted and why (e.g. confirm effective stall control or confirm passive yaw behavior)

6.2.3 Extent to which the turbine system will impact the U.S. market (15%)

a. Soundness of the development plan to ensure the turbine is likely to undergo certification for the U.S. market

b. Percent of U.S. based manufacturing for the final turbine system (including turbine, tower, and associated electronics)

c. Estimated U.S. installations in the first year after certification

d. Technical and financial capability of sustaining the project’s objective over the full performance period

e. Documentation verifying company’s financial status.

6.2.4 Team/personnel/expertise (25%)

a. Description of company’s or principals recent and relevant experience in the U.S.

distributed wind turbine market

b. Qualifications of proposed project team members shall be described in relation to their responsibilities on the project, including resumes of key team members.

Demonstrate that all required expertise is available whether direct employees or consultants. If no one on the team has wind certification experience, provide background on experience or expertise that qualifies them for the proposed effort.

Resumes of all project team members should be included as attachments to the proposal and will not apply to the proposal page count limitation.

c. Demonstrate ability to execute previous projects on time/on budget. Provide reference information on previous project experience, including letters if available.

6.3 Component Innovation

6.3.1 Demonstrates evidence that the proposed innovation(s) are technically feasible, commercially attainable, and consistent with certification and Listing of the turbine (25%)

a. Turbine specifications (Attachment 5)

b. Description of proposed improvement, expanded application, identifying enhancements or advancement

c. Description of work done to date in preparation for proposed innovation

d. Description of expected outcome of innovation, including metrics proposed for evaluating turbine system before and after the innovations are implemented

e. Description of company’s QC/QA protocols for design and manufacturing

f. Preference will be given to proposals that incorporate comprehensive strategies of modeling and analysis, such as aeroelastic simulations and finite element analysis.

6.3.2 Demonstrates evidence that investment in innovation will contribute to a reduction in the levelized cost of energy (25%)

a. Quantification of component(s) innovation contribution to cost reduction from initial system cost (an increase in initial system cost that results in a large increase in energy production is still a positive innovation)

b. Quantification of component(s) innovation to increased Annual Energy Production (AEP), including documentation of calculation approach

c. Quantification of component(s) improvement contribution to cost reduction over the life of the system

d. Completed Figure of Merit – Cost of Energy (In the Attachment 4 supplement, use the column marked Baseline in the spreadsheet for current cost of energy calculations. Use the column marked Proposal for costs expected after this project development. These costs should be based on expected production at volume.)

e. For projects focused on new market applications, methodology and quantification of innovation compared to existing options

f. Analysis of component(s) innovation contribution to market impact

g. Component(s) innovation has clear technical merit.

6.3.3 Submit outline of a product development plan that will lead to successful market introduction and certification, or maintain existing certification, of the turbine for the U.S. market (20%)

a. Soundness of product development plan to ensure turbine can be certified for the U.S. market, including a description of sufficient resources for product testing and service

b. Product development budget and schedule

c. Letters of commitment

d. Description of expected direct impact to the U.S. economy and DW market resulting from a successful completion of this work through impacts such as expanded domestic manufacturing, product deployment, and job creation as well as being more competitive with other distributed generation technologies.

6.3.4 Team/personnel/expertise (30%)

a. Qualifications of proposed project team members shall be described in relation to their responsibilities of the project. Any outside expertise that is needed to provide capabilities for the project shall be noted and the source for that capability identified. Resumes of all project team members should be included as attachments to the proposal and will not apply to the proposal page count limitation

b. Demonstrate ability to execute previous projects on time/on budget. Provide

6.4 System Optimization

6.4.1 Demonstrates evidence that the proposed system optimization is technically feasible, commercially attainable, and consistent with certification and Listing of the turbine (25%)

a. Turbine specifications (Attachment 5)

b. Description of proposed system improvement, identifying enhancements or advancement

c. Description of work done to date in preparation for proposed improvement

d. Description of expected outcome of system optimization, including metrics proposed for evaluating turbine system before and after the innovations are implemented

e. Description of company’s Quality Control/Quality Assurance protocols for design and manufacturing

f. Preference will be given to proposals that incorporate comprehensive strategies of modeling and analysis, such as aeroelastic simulations and finite element analysis.

6.4.2 Demonstrates evidence that investment in innovation will contribute to a reduction in the LCOE (25%)

a. Quantification of system optimization contribution to cost reduction from initial system cost

b. Quantification of system innovations contribution to increased Annual Energy Production (AEP), including documentation of calculation approach

c. Completed Figure of Merit – Cost of Energy (In the Attachment 4 supplement, use the column marked Baseline in the spreadsheet for current cost of energy calculations. Use the column marked Proposal for costs expected after this project development. These costs should be based on expected production at volume.) For projects focused on new market applications, methodology and quantification of system improvement to existing options

d. Analysis of system improvement contribution to market impact

e. System improvements has clear technical merit.

6.4.3 Submit outline of a product development plan that will lead to successful market introduction and certification, or maintain existing certification, of the turbine for the U.S. market (20%)

a. Soundness of product development plan to ensure turbine can be certified for the U.S. market, including a description of sufficient resources for product testing and service

b. Product upgrade development budget and schedule

c. Letters of commitment

d. Description of expected direct impact to the U.S. economy and DW market resulting from a successful completion of this work through impacts such as expanded domestic manufacturing, product deployment, and job creation as well as being more competitive with other distributed generation technologies.

6.4.4 Team/personnel/expertise (30%)

their responsibilities of the project. Any outside expertise that is needed to provide capabilities for the project shall be noted and the source for that capability identified. Resumes of all project team members should be included as attachments to the proposal and will not apply to the proposal page count limitation

6.5 Small Turbine Certification and/or Listing

6.5.1 Demonstrates that the turbine system is likely to comprise a significant share of the distributed wind turbine market and the company can provide the associated installation and long-term maintenance support (25%)

a. Projected Annual Energy Production with 6 m/s average wind speed at 30 meters and a Rayleigh distribution. (other hub heights can be used with adjusted wind speed)

b. Turbine system cost (including turbine, tower, and associated electronics)

c. Tabulated power curve (provide source of power curve, measured, or calculated and if calculated the approach used to calculate it)

d. Current (2021) and expected annual U.S. manufacturing capacity

e. Turbine features, including turbine rotor swept area (Attachment 5)

f. Turbine system design lifetime

g. Operations and maintenance requirements

h. Operations and maintenance costs

i. Warranty, including coverage length and content (parts/labor/travel/exclusions)

j. Listing of the inverter and other components or plans to obtain listing (as part of this proposal or outside of it)

k. Sales history, especially in the past year (companies with no sales history are still eligible)

l. Number of turbine systems currently installed (domestically and internationally)

m. Tower options (provide list)

n. Number of U.S. dealers with wind turbine installations

o. Existing/pending International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) certifications

(eligibility includes both currently certified as well as non-certified turbine systems)

p. Capabilities to provide support through the life of the turbine system, including warranty reserve

q. Completed Figure of Merit – Cost of Energy (costs should be based on expected production at volume, use the column marked Baseline in the spreadsheet Attachment 4 supplement)

6.5.2 Extent to which the turbine system will impact the U.S. market (20%) distributed wind turbine market

b. Soundness of the production plan to ensure the turbine is ready for the U.S. market

c. Percent of U.S. based manufacturing for the final turbine system (including turbine, tower, and associated electronics)

d. Estimated U.S. installations in the first year after certification

e. Estimated number of exported units in the first year after certification

f. Technical and financial capability of sustaining the project’s objective over the full performance period

g. Documentation verifying company’s financial status.

6.5.3 Demonstrates evidence that the wind generator is ready for certification and/or

Listing and that the company has a sound plan that will lead to certification and/or Listing of the turbine for the U.S. market (30%)

a. Evidence that the turbine is ready for certification testing such as a history of deployment or preferably prototype testing that demonstrates reliable operation and functional testing of the safety systems. Modest upgrades to a certified turbine that are sufficient to require a new certification is also evidence of readiness when combined with sufficient engineering preparation. Evidence that the turbine is ready for Listing such as a list of components that are Listed and components that are not with notes on the Listing standard for each component that is not already Listed

b. Summary of prototype testing conducted on turbine (as attachment that is not included in the page count)

c. Ability to deliver test turbine system to test site within sixty (60) days of subcontract execution (indicate in proposal if more time is needed and why) and/or ability to deliver documents and samples to Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) to start Listing process within sixty (60) days

d. Evidence that the turbine testing can be completed at the testing facility within twenty-one (21) months from contract signing. This evidence shall include site wind speed distribution and an evaluation of the need for site calibration if the site is not certified for testing

e. Verification that the turbine is in the queue for certification and/or Listing by an accredited Certification and Verification Agency (CVA) along with a list of required documents per the CVA protocol

f. Provide turbine certification plan, including budget and schedule. Confirm that the company has the applicable standards documents and understands the requirements for obtaining certification (see Attachment 3 – Eligibility Verification).

Certification plan must include intended approach for loads development and identification of loads and materials safety factors that will be used. If Listing is part of the proposal, include a budget and schedule for Listing

g. Provide a preliminary loads report consistent with what is required for the certification sought. Document must include a synopsis of derivation approach.

Preliminary load approach can be different than approach planned for final certification loads. For instance, the simplified loads method may be used for this even though aeroelastic modeling may be used in the final submission for certification.

6.5.4 Team/personnel/expertise (25%)

their responsibilities on the project, including resumes of key team members.

Demonstrate that all required expertise is available whether direct employees or consultants. If no one on the team has wind certification experience, provide background on experience or expertise that qualifies them for the proposed effort.

Resumes of all project team members should be included as attachments to the proposal and will not apply to the proposal page count limitation

6.6 Type Certification (IEC 61400-1) and Listing

Each qualitative merit criteria and its assigned weight are provided below. Listing may be included in a Type Certification proposal but cannot be the sole effort in a Type Certification. While a proposal in this topic area is not required to include Listing, there should be a plan for Listing.

6.6.1 Demonstrates that the turbine system is likely to comprise a significant share of the distributed wind turbine market and the company can provide the associated installation and long-term maintenance support (25%)

a. Projected Annual Energy Production with 6 m/s average wind speed at 30 meters and a Rayleigh distribution. (other hub heights can be used with adjusted wind speed)

b. Turbine system cost (including turbine, tower, and associated electronics)

c. Tabulated power curve (provide source of power curve, measured, or calculated and if calculated the approach used to calculate it)

d. Current and expected annual U.S. manufacturing capacity

e. Turbine features, including turbine rotor swept area (Attachment 5)

f. Turbine system design lifetime

g. Operations and maintenance requirements

h. Operations and maintenance costs

i. Warranty, including coverage length and content (parts/labor/travel/exclusions)

j. Listing of the inverter and other components or plans to obtain Listing

k. Sales history, especially in the past year (companies with no sales history are still eligible)

l. Number of turbine systems currently installed (domestically and internationally)

m. Tower options (provide list)

n. Number of U.S. dealers/installers

o. Existing/pending IEC certifications (eligibility includes both currently certified as well as non-certified turbine systems)

p. Capabilities to provide support through the life of the turbine system, including warranty reserve

q. Completed Figure of Merit – Cost of Energy (costs should be based on expected production at volume, use the column marked Baseline in the spreadsheet Attachment 4 supplement)

6.6.2 Extent to which the turbine system will impact the U.S. market (20%)

a. Description of company’s or principal’s recent and relevant experience in the U.S.

distributed wind turbine market

b. Soundness of the production plan to ensure the turbine is ready for the U.S. market

c. Percent of U.S. based manufacturing for the final turbine system (including turbine, tower, and associated electronics)

d. Estimated U.S. installations in the first year after certification

e. Estimated number of exported units in the first year after certification

f. Technical and financial capability of sustaining the project’s objective over the full performance period

g. Documentation verifying company’s financial status

6.6.3 Demonstrates evidence that the wind generator is ready for certification and

Listing, and that the company has a sound plan that will lead to certification and Listing of the turbine for the U.S. market (30%)

a. Evidence that the turbine is ready for type certification testing such as a history of deployment or preferably prototype testing that demonstrates reliable operation and functional testing of the safety systems. Modest upgrades to a certified established reliable turbine that is sufficient to require a new certification is also evidence of readiness when combined with sufficient engineering preparation.

Evidence that the turbine is ready for Listing such as a list of components that are Listed and components that are not with notes on the Listing standard for each component that is not already Listed

b. Summary of prototype testing conducted on turbine (as attachment that is not included in the page count)

c. Ability to deliver test turbine system to test site within sixty (60) days of contract execution and ability to deliver documents and samples to NRTL to start Listing process within sixty (60) days if Listing is included in the proposal.

d. Evidence that the turbine testing can be completed at the testing facility within eighteen (18) months. This evidence shall include site wind speed distribution and an evaluation of the need for site calibration if the site is not certified as a test site.

e. Verification that the turbine is in the queue for certification by an accredited Certification and Verification Agency (CVA) along with a list of required documents per the CVA protocol.

f. Provide turbine certification plan, including budget and schedule. Confirm that the company has standards documents and understands the requirements for obtaining certification (see Attachment 3 – Eligibility Verification). If Listing is part of the proposal, include a budget and schedule for Listing and indicate if you have the UL standards for Listing

g. Provide a preliminary loads report. Document must include a synopsis of derivation approach. Preliminary load approach can be different than approach planned for final certification loads.

6.6.4 Team/personnel/expertise (25%)

their responsibilities on the project, including resumes of key team members.

Demonstrate that all required expertise is available whether direct employees or consultants. If no one on the team has wind certification experience, provide background on experience or expertise that qualifies team member as prepared to successfully conduct proposed work. Resumes of all project team members should be included as attachments to the proposal and will not apply to the proposal page count limitation

6.7 Manufacturing Process Innovation

6.7.1 Demonstrates evidence that the proposed manufacturing process innovation is beneficial to the successful improvement in market position or entry into market and consistent with certification and Listing of the turbine (25%)

a. Turbine specifications (Attachment 5)

b. Description of proposed manufacturing process innovation, identifying technical enhancement or advancement

c. Analysis of process upgrade contribution to increased turbine system sales.

Provide a market benchmark analysis comparing the relative impact of the improvement to potential competition (competition may not necessarily be wind energy)

d. Description of work done to date in preparation for proposed upgrade including that the component will meet strength requirements if the component is structural

e. Description of company’s manufacturing quality control protocols

f. Estimated U.S. installations in the first year after new manufacturing process implementation

g. Estimated number of exported units in the first year after new manufacturing process implementation

6.7.2 Demonstrates evidence investment in process innovation will contribute to a reduction in the LCOE (30%)

a. Quantification of the process upgrade contribution to cost reduction for initial system cost

b. Quantification of the process upgrade contribution to cost reduction over the life of the system

c. Completed Figure of Merit – Cost of Energy (In the Attachment 4 supplement, use the column marked Baseline in the spreadsheet for current cost of energy calculations. Use the column marked Proposal for costs expected after this manufacturing development. These costs should be based on expected production at volume.)

d. Innovation has clear technical merit

6.7.3 Demonstrates evidence of a sound product development and manufacturing plan that is consistent with certification and Listing, or maintains certification and Listing, of the turbine for the U.S. market (20%)

a. Soundness of product development plan to ensure turbine can be certified and Listed for the U.S. market, including a description of sufficient resources for product testing and service

b. Soundness of the manufacturing plan to provide confidence that the Offeror or their contract manufacturer has capability to produce the component(s) at the quality and cost proposed

c. Documentation of tooling or manufacturing capability development cost

e. Description of expected direct impact to the U.S. market resulting from a successful completion of this work through impacts such as expanded domestic manufacturing, product deployment, and job creation.

6.7.4 Team/personnel/expertise (25%)

their responsibilities on the project. Demonstrate that all required expertise is available whether direct employees or consultants. Resumes of all project team members should be included as attachments to the proposal and will not apply to the proposal page count limitation.

6.8 Prototype Manufacture and Installation

6.8.1Technical approach and readiness (35%)

Attachment 5)

b. Detailed description of turbine system development including modeling, analysis and any testing done to date

c. Documentation of expected performance, efficiency, reduced life cycle cost and/or improved services compared to existing products that are well supported by evidence (such as tests) or physics-based analysis

d. Loads table consistent with the standards requirement and detailed description of the approach used to develop the loads. If a validated model was used, such as the NREL Fatigue, Aerodynamics, Structures, and Turbulence (FAST) code, this will be considered sufficient; however, if a new, novel or proprietary model or approach was used, information must be included on the basis for the approach and the level of certainty

e. Completed Figure of Merit – Cost of Energy (In the Attachment 4 supplement, use the column marked Baseline in the spreadsheet for current cost of energy calculations which may be for an earlier model turbine or a competitor’s turbine or a competitive technology. Use the column marked Proposal for costs expected after this project development. These costs should be based on expected production at volume.)

6.8.2 Description of proposed manufacturing and installation Plan (25%)

a. Detailed description of manufacturing plan including vendors and development of manufacturing capability for components manufactured in house

b. Detailed description of the plans for Listing and certification of the turbine including all major components that will be Listed

c. If prototype turbine installation funding is being requested, description of where prototype testing will occur or specific criteria that will be used to identify a location for prototype testing

6.8.3 Extent to which the turbine system will impact the U.S. market (15%)

a. Soundness of the development plan to ensure the turbine is likely to undergo certification and Listing for the U.S. market

b. Percent of U.S. based manufacturing for the final turbine system (including turbine, tower, and associated electronics)

c. Estimated U.S. installations in the first year after certification and Listing

d. Technical and financial capability of sustaining the project’s objective over the full performance period

e. Documentation verifying company’s financial status.

6.8.4 Team/personnel/expertise (25%)

distributed wind turbine market

b. Qualifications of proposed project team members shall be described in relation to their responsibilities on the project, including resumes of key team members.

Demonstrate that all required expertise is available whether direct employees, vendors, or consultants. If no one on the team has wind manufacturing experience, provide background on experience or expertise that qualifies them for the proposed effort. Resumes of all project team members and vendors capabilities should be included as attachments to the proposal and will not apply to the proposal page count limitation.

c. Demonstrate ability to execute previous projects on time/on budget. Provide

7. Price (cost) evaluation for Best Value Selection

After evaluation of the qualitative merit criteria, the following price (cost) evaluation will be used to determine the best value of the offer in meeting the objectives of the solicitation.

The combined qualitative merit value will be considered equally important to the price (cost).

8. Evaluation process

NREL will evaluate offers in two general steps:

Step One—Initial Evaluation An initial evaluation will be performed to determine if all required information has been provided for an acceptable offer. Offerors may be contacted only for clarification purposes during the initial evaluation. Offerors shall be notified if their offer is determined unacceptable and the reasons for rejection will be provided. Unacceptable offers will be excluded from further consideration.

Step Two—Discussion, Selection, Negotiation, and Award All acceptable offers will be evaluated against the Statement of Work (Attachment 1) and the qualitative merit criteria listed above. Based on this evaluation, NREL has the option, depending on the specific circumstances of the offers received, to use one of the following methods of selection:

a. make individual selection(s), conduct negotiations, and make an award(s);

b. conduct parallel negotiations with all offerors and make award(s).

c. conduct discussions with all offerors, select successful finalists, conduct parallel negotiations with successful finalists, and then make award(s);

d. conduct discussions with all offerors, conduct parallel negotiations with the finalists, select successful finalist(s), and then make award(s);

e. select successful finalists, conduct successive negotiations, and make successive selections and awards.

f. make no award(s).

9. Additional factors for evaluation

The Source Evaluation Team will consider program factors in making a final negotiation rank order within the competitive range. The program factors will not be weighted.

Program factors include:

• Manufacturer diversity

• Geographic diversity

• System configuration diversity

• CIP topic diversity

• Turbine size diversity

• Turbine type diversity

• Subcontractor’s price participation >20% or >50% for Manufacturing

Process Innovation or Prototype Manufacture and Installation

• Detailed plan for proposed technical support from NREL

10. Proposal preparation information

Proposal submissions should address individual topic areas. Offerors may submit multiple proposals for multiple topic areas. Do not submit hybrid proposals that combine topic areas.

a. The proposal must include a title page, including the RFP title and number, topic area being proposed on, name of your organization and principal investigator (with postal address, telephone number and email address). The title should be succinct and capture the essence of your offer. The technical proposal with its title page, along with all components of the proposal and other required documents as described sections b through m below shall each be provided as separate PDF files (provided in a compressed or “zipped” folder, preferred).

b. Formatting instructions

- A page is defined as one side of an 8 ½” x 11” sheet of paper.

- Use a 12-point font.

- Maintain at least 1-inch margins on all sides.

- Technical proposal and cost proposal must be in separate sections.

- Include the following notice on your title page:

“Notice for Handling Proposals:

This proposal shall be used and disclosed for Alliance/NREL and Government evaluation purposes only. Any authorized restrictive notices which the Offeror places on this proposal shall also be strictly complied with. Disclosure of this proposal outside the Government, Alliance/NREL, Alliance/NREL consultants, or other national laboratories personnel for evaluation purposes shall be made only to the extend authorized by, and in accordance with, the procedures in DEAR 915.207-70 and, as applicable stated in the procurement solicitation document for source evaluation and selection process.

Upon completion of the evaluation, the evaluator shall certify in writing to the Source Evaluation Team Chairperson that all copies of this proposal have been destroyed and/or deleted from any electronic device, medium or storage location with the exception of those retained in the procurement file or in the case of successful offeror(s) in the project management file.”

An electronic PDF file must be submitted by 2:00 p.m. MDT on 02/26/2021 to Kyndall.Jackson@nrel.gov. The submission must include RFX-2021-10469, the project title “2021 Distributed Wind Turbine Competitiveness Improvement Project” and the specific topic area in the subject line (For example: “RFX-2021-10469 - 2021 Distributed Wind Turbine Competitiveness Improvement Project - Type Certification” for a proposal to the type certification topical area). If submitting for multiple topic areas, please submit one email submission for each topic area.

c. A technical proposal shall be submitted directed toward meeting the requirements of NREL’s Statement of Work (Attachment 1) and qualitative merit criteria (see item 6 above). The total proposal shall not exceed twenty (20) pages (not including resumes of team members, prototype testing history, title page, or table of contents).

Internet references to URL’s should be included in their entirety. Hyperlinks may not be reviewed. Provide all necessary information directly in the proposal.

Proposals submitted for technology innovation topical areas including Prototype Design Development, Prototype Manufacture and Installation, Component Innovation, System Optimization and Manufacturing Process Innovation shall be organized in the following sections: Technical Concept and Innovation, Product Development Plan, Project Market Benefits and Qualifications and Resources. A Product Development Plan shall include, but not be limited to, the following items.

mailto:Kyndall.Jackson@nrel.gov

• Product requirements

• Engineering effort

• Prototype development

• Testing effort

• Tooling development

• Manufacturing plan

• Certification and Listing plan

Proposals submitted for testing and Listing, including Small Wind Certification and/or Listing, and Type Certification (IEC 61400-1) and Listing, shall be organized in the following sections: Turbine System Specifications and Market Information, Certification and Listing Plan, and Qualifications and Resources.

The technical report shall include a description of the data collected and work conducted towards the loads assessment. Only one (1) turbine shall be considered per proposal. Proposals containing more than one (1) turbine shall be deemed non-responsive and will not be reviewed. Proposals that address certification for slightly different models of the same turbine, such as different rotors options on the same turbine, will be considered with justification. Offerors may use certification quotes that include testing and certification for multiple turbines or certifications not covered in the proposal as long as the work covered in the proposal is separately itemized and the cost proposal only includes costs for work allowed in the RFP and SOW. Testing efforts should be conducted in the U.S. or U.S. Territories. If this is not possible, the specific testing location should be provided and justified in the application.

Small Wind Certification proposals may combine Certification with any of the other items in that topic area and combine the maximum funds with the exception of inverter certification which can only be done separately. Both can be proposed by the same offeror, but only as separate proposals. The Loads based option is only for turbine configurations that cannot certify any other way.

Proposals submitted for Prototype Testing shall be organized in the following sections: Turbine System Description, Testing Plan, Project Market Benefits and Qualifications and Resources. Testing efforts should be conducted in the U.S.

or U.S. Territories. If this is not possible, the specific testing location should be provided and justified in the application.

d. A completed “Price/Cost Proposal” form shall be submitted with the offer (see NREL website above). An individual offeror’s price (cost) proposal standard format can be used if the data included are substantially the same as the NREL form. The offeror’s price (cost) and delivery terms must be valid for 90 days from the date of the offer. The price (cost) proposal should include support documentation for all categories of the proposed price (cost). The price (cost) proposal should separate price (cost) for lower-tier subcontractor(s) and include support documentation for all categories of the proposed lower-tier subcontractor(s) price (cost).

e. Proposals that include partnering with specific components vendors shall be considered, consistent with the evaluation criteria. If a proposal includes improving a generic part not related to a specific turbine (i.e. tower, inverter, blade etc.), the proposal shall still include a specific turbine, and ideally the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of that turbine, to demonstrate the improvement on a system level as opposed to a component level. An exception is if more than one turbine OEM creates a project for development of a component or manufacturing process that will result in either a common component or process or similar components using the innovation developed.

f. Awardees from the previous CIP solicitations are eligible to submit proposals under the current solicitation. These awardees are invited to submit a proposal to build upon the existing work or may submit a proposal for an eligible non-related work effort. Preferential considerations will not be given to previous awardees; all proposals will be evaluated against the merit criteria.

g. Proposals should include a completed Eligibility Verification (Attachment 3).

h. Proposals should include Figure of Merit – Cost of Energy for Distributed Wind (includes supplemental spreadsheet) (Attachment 4).

i. Proposals should include Turbine Specifications (Attachment 5)

j. Proposals should include a completed Deliverable Summary Table (Attachment 6).

k. A completed “Representations and Certifications for Subcontracts/Purchase

Orders” form (see NREL website above).

l. EITHER the “Organizational Conflicts of Interest Representation Statement” OR the “Organizational Conflicts of Interest Disclosure Statement”, as applicable per the “Instructions for Completion of Organizational Conflicts of Interest Statement – Disclosure or Representation Statement” .

m. A cover letter including a summary statement indicating acceptance of the proposed Statement of Work (Attachment 1) or any change with the reason(s) shall be included with the proposal. The cover letter should also include whether the Offeror is accepting or proposes a change/exception (with reason) to the subcontract schedule, the standard terms and conditions and/or the intellectual property terms and conditions in the appendices (see section 12). The offeror will explain any proposed change/exception with respect to the subcontract schedule and terms and conditions. Any proposed change/exception must contain sufficient amplification and justification to permit evaluation. Such proposed changes/exceptions will not, of themselves, automatically cause an offer to be termed unacceptable. However, a large number of proposed changes/exceptions or one or more significant exceptions not providing any obvious benefit to the NREL or the Department of Energy may result in rejection of such offer as unacceptable.

n. This solicitation does not commit NREL to pay costs incurred in the preparation and submission of a proposal in response to this RFP.

o. Only new work shall be considered within this proposal; previous work completed prior to the issuance of a subcontract shall not be considered for funding under this solicitation.

p. NREL may provide awardees with technical assistance. The Offeror shall clearly define what, if any, technical support is being requested from NREL, including a cost estimate if available. Technical support from NREL can only be provided contingent on how the request aligns with the program’s funding availability. Therefore, the requested technical support shall be negotiated outside the subcontract award and is not part of the overall subcontract value. Prior to identifying technical support from

NREL, the Offeror should ensure that similar services cannot be economically provided through private sector sources within the proposal.

q. Proposals submitted as a combination/hybrid of more than one (1) topic area under the CIP will be determined as non-responsive. Submissions for multiple topic areas are allowed but must be separate from each other.

r. It is the intent that all work under this award funded by NREL will occur in the U.S. or

U.S. Territories. This does not extend to the purchase of equipment or components that may originate outside of the U.S. although efforts should be made to identify U.S. based suppliers. Work to be conducted outside the U.S. shall be identified and justified as part of this proposal but to the extent possible, work being conducted outside of the U.S. should be covered as part of the Offerors price participation.

Clear documentation within the proposal is encouraged.

s. This solicitation requires the submittal of electronic proposals.

11. Solicitation Provisions—full text provided

a. Late submissions, modifications, and withdrawals of offers Offers, or modifications to them, received from qualified organizations after the latest date specified for receipt may be considered if received prior to award, and NREL determines that there is a potential price (cost), technical, or other advantage, as compared to the other offers received. However, depending on the circumstances surrounding the late submission or modification, NREL may consider a late offer to be an indication of the offeror’s performance capabilities, resulting in downgrading of the offer in the technical evaluation process.