DCKA-2019-I-0087_Att1.docx

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

Microgrids to Support DC Circulator Electric Transit Bus Fleet Facility

DCKA-2019-I-0087

GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Office of Contracting and Procurement District Department of Transportation

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

Microgrids to Support DC Circulator Electric Transit Bus Fleet Facility

DCKA-2019-I-0087

August 14, 2019

1. Purpose of the Request for Information

The Government of the District of Columbia, herein after referred to as the (“District”), Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP) on behalf of the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), invites organizations with qualifications and experience delivering projects specifically related to bus or fleet microgrids or renewable back-up power systems with storage capacity services to respond to this Request for Information (“RFI”).

This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes, to establish a set of plans and specifications detailing the program unambiguously and to obtain delivery, price, and other market information. This RFI does not commit the District to contract for any Microgrid service work whatsoever. Response to this RFI is not an offer and cannot be accepted by the District to form a binding contract. The requested information is to scope out project delivery, project implementation timeline, any market innovations and available providers.

Respondents are advised that the District will not provide compensation for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future solicitations. Any future Request for Proposal (RFP) will provide more specific details. It will be synopsized on the https://dtap.ddot.dc.gov website and the OCP website at www.ocp.dc.gov. It is the responsibility of the potential offeror to monitor these sites for additional information pertaining to this requirement.

2. Statement of Need

This RFI is issued for the purpose of soliciting best practices from the industry in the area of developing a pilot project to provide an analysis of available technology configurations, costs options, design configurations, and development of a format for a pilot/feasibility analysis of installing a renewable energy and back-up power system with islanding capability at DDOT’s South Capitol Street electric bus charging facility. It is DDOT’s intent to have a means to keep its electric bus fleet in service in the event of an extended power outage occur. A microgrid using clean, distributed generation resources will also enable alignment with the District’s renewable energy and carbon neutrality goals, and potentially save money on electricity bills.

The purpose of the RFI is to identify Respondents who have demonstrated experience, financial strength and industry expertise to prepare a feasibility analysis, conduct a market cost survey and proposed design and build solutions, and assess the performance of a Microgrid to be completed at DDOT’s South Capitol Battery Electric Buses (BEB) facility and also, propose a means of monitoring the performance of the Microgrid.

3. Background

DDOT operates the DC Circulator bus fleet which provides residents, employees, and visitors’ alike connections to major destinations in the nation’s capital, most recently the National Mall. The DC Circulator system includes six routes providing more than 5 million trips annually.

In April 2018, DDOT placed fourteen Proterra Catalyst E2 BEB’s into service on its Circulator bus system. The BEB’s entered service as part of the first full-scale BEB technology pilot in the Washington, DC region. Providing efficient, safe, and clean transit service to the growing neighborhoods of DC is fundamental to DDOT’s commitment to reducing the demand for personal automobile trips, lowering carbon emissions, reducing the harmful effects of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, and making the Circulator a model of urban sustainability for residents, commuters, visitors, and policy makers.

On January 18, 2019, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser signed historic climate change legislation by DC Council that among other measures, requires that all public buses that operate in the District of Columbia be transitioned to zero emissions by year 2045. The implications of this mandate for DC Circulator operations are significant.

The most desirable and sustainable option for fleet expansion and resilience activities is to install a renewable energy and back-up power system with islanding capability (or campus-style) microgrid, powered from a renewable source to power a fully electric bus fleet. DDOT envisions a Microgrid purpose to serve as backup power in the event of extended power loss and a supplemental source of power to offset charging costs.

4. Site Description

The current DC Circulator BEB facility is located at 2860 South Capitol Street SE, in a narrow, 2,160 square-foot strip of land between South Capitol Street and I-295. Prior to its conversion to a Circulator facility, it served as a commissioning site for DC Streetcar. In 2018, DDOT retrofitted the site with minimal infrastructure to charge Circulator’s fourteen new BEB’s, including fourteen DC fast charging stations and a new transformer.

5. Qualifications and Submission Requirements

Respondents are required to submit information on each of the following sections. Please feel free to provide detailed responses to each section on Attachment A – Answer Sheet.

5.1. General Information

5.2. Overview of Experience

Provide examples of renewable energy and back-up owner system work performed specifically for transit agencies. The information provided should include:

· Past projects

· Record in completing past back-up power system feasibility or construction projects

· Project size and scope

· Program references

5.3. Questions for Respondents

Respondents are required to answer the following questions:

(Y/N) Comments

5.3.1

If additional space is needed, please provide comments on Attachment A – Answer Sheet.

5.3.2

Experience with electric vehicles and/or transit fleets.

5.3.3

5.3.4

5.3.5

5.3.6 Describe experience working with utilities and technology partners.

5.3.7

5.3.8

Please explain in detail, what support and resources will be needed from DDOT to complete a feasibility study of a back-up power system at its South Capitol Street location. Detailed explanation focused on the:

a. Financial requirements needed from DDOT, to complete a feasibility analysis;

b. Access to DDOT data is needed for project completion,

c. Staffing support from DDOT needed for implementation, and;

d. Other resources, support or access needed from DDOT for implementation.

5.3.9

5.3.14

6. Responses

Responses are due by 2:00 p.m. on September 10, 2019 to email address: Microgrid.RFI@dc.gov. Questions are due by 3:00 p.m. August 28, 2019 to email address: Microgrid.RFI@dc.gov. Responses to questions received regarding this RFI will be posted by Amendment via the OCP website: www.ocp.dc.gov and https://dtap.ddot.dc.gov. For additional information regarding this RFI, contact Margaret J. Platek, Contracting Officer via Microgrid.RFI@dc.gov.

Respondents will not be invited to participate in in-person informational meetings or presentations as a result of this RFI.

Respondents are encouraged to visit https://dtap.ddot.dc.gov website and the OCP website at www.ocp.dc.gov for any forthcoming RFP information.

7. Confidentiality

Any document submitted in response to this RFI that contains confidential information must be marked as containing confidential information. Each page upon which confidential information appears must be marked as containing confidential information. The confidential information must be clearly identifiable to the reader wherever it appears. All other information will not be treated as confidential. All information marked confidential in RFI responses is only for the District’s use in planning for future acquisitions.

8. Disclaimer

THIS RFI IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE DISTRICT TO ISSUE A SOLICITATION OR ULTIMATELY AWARD A CONTRACT. RESPONSES WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED AS PROPOSALS, NOR WILL ANY AWARD BE MADE AS A RESULT OF THIS RFI. This notice does not obligate the District to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The District reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed. Information provided will be used to assess tradeoffs and alternatives available for the potential requirement and may lead to the development of a solicitation.

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