Climate_and_Energy_RFP_05.27.2025_FINAL.pdf

May 27, 2025

You are invited to review and respond to this Request for Proposal (RFP), entitled GO-Biz Clean Energy Assessment Report. In submitting your proposal, you must comply with these instructions.

Note all agreements entered into with the State of California will include reference to General Terms and Conditions and Contractor Certification Clauses that may be viewed and downloaded here: https://www.dgs.ca.gov/OLS/Resources/Page- Content/Office-of-Legal-Services-Resources-List-Folder/Standard-Contract- Language?search=general%20terms

In the opinion of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO- Biz), this RFP is complete and without need of explanation. However, if you have questions, or should you need any clarifying information, please submit your questions to the email shown below. Answers to all questions will be compiled and posted for all potential bidders.

Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development 1325 J Street, Suite 1800 Sacramento, CA 95814

GO-Biz.BSU@gobiz.ca.gov

Opening Date: May 27, 2025 Closing Date: June 10, 2025 at 3:00 P.M. PDT

Proposals submitted after the stipulated deadline will be rejected without being evaluated without exceptions.

https://www.dgs.ca.gov/OLS/Resources/Page-Content/Office-of-Legal-Services-Resources-List-Folder/Standard-Contract-Language?search=general%20terms https://www.dgs.ca.gov/OLS/Resources/Page-Content/Office-of-Legal-Services-Resources-List-Folder/Standard-Contract-Language?search=general%20terms https://www.dgs.ca.gov/OLS/Resources/Page-Content/Office-of-Legal-Services-Resources-List-Folder/Standard-Contract-Language?search=general%20terms mailto:GO-Biz.BSU@gobiz.ca.gov

BACKGROUND

Meeting California’s climate goals will require a massive buildout of infrastructure across many sectors of the economy. In the energy sector, for example, the California Air Resources Board 2022 Scoping Plan estimates that in order to power new electric vehicles, clean industries, and more, our state will need to add roughly 150 percent as much electricity by 2045 as is available today. Such expansion will need more transmission lines, energy storage, demand response, and other related resources.

Because only about half of our state’s electricity is currently derived from renewable and carbon-free sources, this means that California will need to add three times as much clean energy capacity as is available today in just 22 years.

SB 100 report estimates that the state must deploy between 7,000 to 10,000 MWs annually to reach carbon-free electricity by 2045. California will require an unprecedented number of clean energy infrastructure projects to be built to achieve the state’s energy and climate goals. To better understand how to address this challenge, AB 585 requires GO-Biz to examine, more holistically, the ways that energy projects are developed and deployed across the state and assess challenges and barriers to project completion. As envisioned, this assessment would also provide valuable information that would help the state to evaluate current methods and build strategies for improving project delivery at a systemic level.

The assessment report would include:

• At least three clean energy project types;

• Specific challenges impacting the different stages of clean energy project development;

• Different methods for developing and deploying clean energy projects; and

• Recommended approaches, models, or strategies for addressing the identified barriers, challenges, and impediments to clean energy project delivery.

SCOPE OF WORK (SOW)

Legislation directs GO-Biz to prepare an assessment of the barriers, challenges, and impediments limiting the deployment and development of clean energy projects that support strategies to advance California’s energy and climate goals as identified in CARB Scoping Plan. Specifically, the legislation requires the assessment to include:

• At least three clean energy project types;

• Specific challenges impacting the different stages of clean energy project development;

• Different methods for developing and deploying clean energy projects; and

• Recommended approaches, models, or strategies for addressing the identified barriers, challenges, and impediments to clean energy project delivery

The 2022 Scoping Plan is the roadmap that lays out, sector-by-sector, how California will achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 through the regulation of GHG emissions identified in AB 32. There are many barriers to clean energy project types in each of these key sectors. For the purposes of this assessment work, the focus will be on clean energy generation types that will help to decarbonize the grid, which may include, and not limited to, the following:

• Geothermal;

• Long-duration energy storage;

• Renewable hydrogen and other clean/low carbon fuels;

• Nuclear/fusion; and

• Natural gas paired with carbon capture.

The Scope of Work consists of two parts:

Part One: Review, Identify and Recommend

1. Identify current and emerging innovative clean energy generation resource types that are needed for the state to reach carbon neutrality by 2045

2. Develop criteria(s) and make recommendations for selection of the top three clean energy projects for further assessment.

Part Two: Develop an assessment report that would include:

3. Challenges and barriers to project development and deployment of the selected clean energy project types (with focus on California).

4. Identify and illustrate the different methods for developing and deploying the three selected clean energy project types.

5. Provide recommended approaches, models, or strategies for addressing the identified barriers, challenges, and impediments to clean energy project delivery.

Task 1: Kick-off Meeting with GO-Biz and Contractor The Contractor will meet with the Point of Contact and relevant staff of GO-Biz to review SOW, discuss methods to perform the SOW, timelines, and processes for outreach and involvement. The Contractor will take feedback from GO-Biz to revise and refine the process for conducting the assessment, timelines and other related activities.

Task 2: Identify and Provide Recommendations for Top Three Clean Energy Generation Project Types for Assessment Report After the agreement between GO-Biz and Contractor on the assessment and outreach strategy, the Contractor begins assessment identified in SOW: Part One. This would also include establishing schedule for regular updates between Contractor and GO-Biz.

Task 3: Perform Assessment and Develop Draft Report

Contractor will perform assessment and develop draft report as identified in SOW: Part Two. The Contractor will also work with GO-Biz to gather feedback on draft report including outreach efforts.

Task 4: Provide Final Assessment Report The Contractor will develop final report which will incorporate feedback on the draft report.

KEY DATES

Stage Event Date

1. Release of RFP May 27, 2025

2. Question and Answer Period Ends June 2, 2025 at 12:00 P.M. PDT

3. Answers to RFP questions posted June 3, 2025 by 5:00 P.M. PDT

4. RFP Response Submission Due Date and Time June 10, 2025 at 3:00 P.M. PDT

5. Contractor Presentations and Interviews (as appropriate)

TBD

6. Tentative Award Notice Posts to Cal e Procure June 12, 2025

7. Anticipated Contract Date June 20, 2025

RFP RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS

This RFP and the Proposer’s response to this document will be made part of GO-Biz’s procurement contract file. Responses must contain all requested information and data and conform to the format described in this section. It is the Proposer’s responsibility to provide all necessary information for the State to evaluate the response, verify requested information, and determine the Proposer’s ability to perform the tasks and activities defined in the State’s Scope of Work.

Plagiarism, including but not limited to taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own, and failure to cite someone else’s work or ideas, is prohibited and is grounds for disqualification. Using Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) tools to complete any portion of an application, without citation, may be considered plagiarism and may also be grounds for disqualification.

The Proposer must submit their response electronically to the department contact name and email address indicated on the cover sheet to this RFP. All proposals, with required attachments, must be submitted electronically in PDF format via email to GO- Biz.BSU@gobiz.ca.gov with the subject line “GO-Biz Clean Energy Assessment Report”.

PRESENTATIONS AND/OR INTERVIEWS

Upon request by GO-Biz, each Contractor may be required to present their proposal in person or virtually.

AMENDMENTS TO RFP; DOWNLOADING FROM INTERNET

a) GO-Biz reserves the right to amend the RFP at any time before the RFP submission deadline.

b) All amendments will be posted on Cal eProcure. Each Bidder is advised to check this home page periodically for amendments to this RFP, particularly if the Bidder downloaded the RFP from the Internet as the Bidder may not automatically receive amendments.

PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Briefly introduce your organization/firm or individual consultancy and relevant experience.

2. Describe overall project approach to conducting the assessment and writing the report.

3. Provide examples of similar work experience.

4. Include project timeline/work plan.

5. Include consultant or staff resumes.

6. The project narrative must not exceed ten (10) pages (including appendices) at 12-point font (Calibri or larger) with 1” margins. (excluding vendor forms)

7. Provide a detailed budget. Describe how your organization will track allowable activities and expenditures. Provide a detailed fee structure outlining consultant hours and rates. Expenses should be aligned with proposed tasks/activities.

EVALUATION CRITERIA AND SCORE SHEET

Proposals will be evaluated by individuals in a committee. The committee will evaluate each proposal and score each proposal individually using the Evaluation Criteria Score Sheet. Proposals will be considered on their merits in accordance with the Scope of Work.

Bidders must score at least 60 out of 70 possible technical points (non-budget/cost) to advance in the evaluation phase and be eligible for invitation to any applicable interview or presentation phase.

Evaluation Criteria Score Sheet

Criteria Description Maximum Possible Score

1. Budget/Costs 30

2. Proposer’s approach to conducting the assessment and writing of the report

3. Does the Proposer provide examples of relevant experience in their proposal, including similar projects, work executed and outcomes?

4. How well does the Proposer’s narrative description and timeline demonstrate an understanding of the request?

5. Firm and Project Team Qualifications 10

6. Interview/presentation, if invited 5

AWARDS AND PROTESTS

a) Notice of the proposed award shall be posted in a public place in the office of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development for five (5) working days prior to awarding the agreement.

a) If any Proposer, prior to the award of agreement, files a protest with the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, 1325 J Street, Suite 1800, Sacramento, CA 95814; and the Department of General Services, Office of Legal Services, 707 Third Street, 7th Floor, Suite 7-330, West Sacramento, CA 95605, on the grounds that the (protesting) Proposer would have been awarded the contract had the agency correctly applied the evaluation standard in the RFP, or if the agency followed the evaluation and scoring methods in the RFP, the agreement shall not be awarded until either the protest has been withdrawn or the Department of General Services has decided the matter. It is suggested that you submit any protest by certified or registered mail.

b) Within five (5) calendar days after filing the initial protest, the protesting Proposer shall file with the Department of General Services, Office of Legal Services and the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development a detailed statement specifying the grounds for the protest.

c) Upon resolution of the protest and award of the agreement, Contractor must complete and submit to the awarding agency the Payee Data Record (STD 204), to determine if the Contractor is subject to state income tax withholding pursuant to California Revenue and Taxation Code Sections 18662 and 26131. This form can be found on the Internet at https://www.documents.dgs.ca.gov/dgs/FMC/PDF/Std204.pdf

d) No payment shall be made unless a completed STD 204 has been returned to the awarding agency.

e) Upon resolution of the protest and award of the agreement, Contractor must sign and submit to the awarding agency, page one (1) of the Contractor Certification Clauses, which can be found on the Internet at https://www.aging.ca.gov/download.ashx?lE0rcNUV0zZK%2FYm8WzGo%2Fg%3D%3 D

PUBLIC RECORDS ACT

By submitting an application, the applicant acknowledges that GO-Biz is subject to the California Public Records Act (PRA) (Government Code section 7920.000 et. seq.).

Consequently, materials submitted by an applicant to GO-Biz may be subject to disclosure pursuant to a PRA request. In the event that records of the applicant are requested, GO-Biz will notify the applicant, as soon as practicable, that a PRA request for the applicant’s information has been received, but not less than five (5) business days prior to the release of the requested information, to allow the applicant to seek an injunction. GO-Biz will work in good faith with the applicant to protect any confidential information to the extent an exemption is provided by law.

VENDOR FORMS

Please include the completed vendor forms and submit with your proposal. Blank copies of the required forms will be included in the solicitation documents. The necessary forms are as follows:

• STD 204 – Payee Data Record

• STD 21 – Drug Free Workplace Certification

• CCC – Contractor Certification Clauses

• Darfur

• Bidder Declaration

SMALL BUSINESS and DVBE Certified small businesses, microbusinesses, and DVBEs are encouraged to apply and can claim a five percent (5%) preference when submitting a bid on a state contract. A non-small business may receive a preference of five percent if the business commits to subcontract at least twenty-five percent (25%) of its net bid price with one or more small businesses or microbusinesses. The five percent preference is used only for computation purposes, to determine the winning bidder and does not alter the amounts of the resulting contract. A contract awarded on the basis of the five percent (5%) preference is awarded to the small business, microbusiness, DVBE, or non-small business for the actual amount of its bid.

A complete copy of the firm’s current Small Business and/or DVBE certification with the Department of General Services (DGS) must also accompany the response.

Helpful resources pertaining to the Small Business and DVBE program may be found here: https://www.dgs.ca.gov/PD/Resources/Page-Content/Procurement-Division- Resources-List-Folder/Commercially-Useful-Function-for-Certified-Firms

GenAI DISCLOSURE The State of California seeks to realize the potential benefits of GenAI, through the development and deployment of GenAI tools, while balancing the risks of these new technologies.

Bidder / Offeror must notify the State in writing if it: (1) intends to provide GenAI as a deliverable to the State; or (2), intends to utilize GenAI, including GenAI from third parties, to complete all or a portion of any deliverable that materially impacts: (i) functionality of a State system, (ii) risk to the State, or (iii) Contract performance. For avoidance of doubt, the term “materially impacts” shall have the meaning set forth in State Administrative Manual (SAM) § 4986.2 Definitions for GenAI.

Failure to report GenAI to the State may result in disqualification. The State reserves the right to seek any and all relief to which it may be entitled to as a result of such non-disclosure.

Upon notification by a Bidder / Offeror of GenAI as required, the State reserves the right to incorporate GenAI Special Provisions into the final contract or reject bids/offers that present an unacceptable level of risk to the State.

Government Code 11549.64 defines “Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI)” as an artificial intelligence system that can generate derived synthetic content, including text, images, video, and audio that emulates the structure and characteristics of the system’s training data.

Potential Proposers must email all required materials to GO-Biz.BSU@gobiz.ca.gov no later than June 10, 2025, at 3:00 P.M. PDT. No mailed/hard copy submittals will be accepted. No late proposals will be accepted or considered under any circumstances.

It is recommended that you submit your proposal in advance of the final deadline to receive a confirmation of receipt.