DOER NOI-ENE-2024-016 Due Diligence Posting to Accept a Best Value Offer 02.23.24.pdf

PDF 166 KB Posted Feb 23, 2024

Attached to: DOER NOI-ENE-2024-016 Due Diligence Posting to Accept a Best Value Offer 02. 23. 24
Solicitation number: BD-24-1041-ENE01-ENE01-98900
Issued by: Suffolk County, Massachusetts

About this file

Written by GovTribe AI · Jul 31, 2024

This is a Due Diligence Posting of Notice of Intent by the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to accept a best value offer from Analysis Group to provide support for DOER's intervention in the Electric Sector Modernization Plan (ESMP) proceeding before the Department of Public Utilities (DPU). The scope of services includes preparing information requests, responses, policy position development, brief drafting, docket tracking, and review and summarization of filings made by other intervenors. The contractor will also provide recommendations and observations on the EDCs' ESMPs, including their alignment with DOER policies and priorities, as well as best practices from across the country for integrated distribution system planning. The DOER is posting this notice rather than conducting a full procurement because it believes this opportunity represents the best value to the Commonwealth. The DOER is seeking to determine if there are any other interested and qualified vendors who can provide a comparable or better offer. All interested contractors and offerors must submit their response by 12:00PM prevailing eastern standard time on Friday, March 1st, 2024.

The response must be submitted online via COMMBUYS, the Commonwealth's electronic procurement system. Interested vendors will be required to maintain an active COMMBUYS account during the duration of the contract, if awarded. The DOER reserves the right to withdraw the notice, accept the offer from the Offeror, accept an offer from another vendor offering a comparable or better value, or accept the offer from the Offeror and any other Offerors offering similar value.

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Due Diligence Posting of Notice of Intent to Accept a Best Value Offer

The Department of Energy Resources (DOER) of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts announces its intent to Accept a Best Value Offer pursuant to the Commonwealth’s Due Diligence Posting policy, to contract for the following with Analysis Group (“Offeror”) or (“Contractor”), for a term of one (1) calendar year pending the results of this Notice of Intent (“Notice”):

Description

The DOER is seeking a vendor to provide support for its intervention in the Electric Sector Modernization Plan (ESMP) proceeding before the Department of Public Utilities (DPU), docketed as D.P.U. 24-10, D.P.U. 24-11, and D.P.U. 24-12. The scope of services needed is as follows:

a. Support DOER’s participation before the DPU in the dockets reviewing the EDCs’ ESMPs (D.P.U. 24-10, 24-11, and 24-12), including but not limited to:

i. Prepare Information Requests for DOER to submit to the EDCs regarding ESMPs to clarify information in the filings to support DOER policy positions

ii. Prepare responses to Information or Record Requests issued to DOER

iii. Support DOER with development of policy positions for Briefs

iv. Draft DOER Initial and Reply Briefs, as needed

v. Track docket progress and provide updates to DOER on status throughout procedural schedule

vi. Review and summarize Information Requests, Briefs, and other filings made by intervenors in the docket and identify relevant materials to DOER

b. The Contractor will clearly and transparently present recommendations and key observations on the EDC ESMPs to DOER for discussion and review.

Recommendations on and evaluation of the filed ESMPs should be specific to DOER policies and priorities, including but not limited to:

i. The extent to which the filed ESMPs address the recommendations made by the Grid Modernization Advisory Council (GMAC), including how the EDCs have incorporated or otherwise responded to the recommendations

ii. The extent to which the filed ESMPs provide a strategic plan for implementing the programs and investments throughout the 5-year ESMP period including plans for continued sector-specific stakeholder engagement through either existing or new working groups

iii. The clarity of EDC programs and investments (ongoing, approved, pending, proposed, and to be proposed)

iv. Load forecasting and underlying assumptions on a sector-by-sector level

v. Facilitating electrification of buildings, transportation, and other sectors

vi. Proposing investments and processes to enable interconnection of, and communication with, distributed energy resources

vii. Maximizing customer benefits and demonstrating cost-effective investments in the distribution grid

viii. Considering investment alternatives (including changes in rate design, load management, flexible demand, dispatchable demand response) and alternative approaches to financing investments (including cost allocation between developers and ratepayers, and equitable allocation of costs across other states and populations)

ix. Improving grid reliability and resiliency

x. Minimizing or mitigating impacts on ratepayers

c. Recommend best practices from across the country for integrated distribution system planning to assist DOER in making recommendations to the DPU regarding its review and approval of the ESMPs. Consider local and state circumstances in the review of best practices and identify what is or is not applicable to the Commonwealth.

d. Present an understanding of Massachusetts distribution system planning, including the ability to speak on relevant procedural history and technical grid knowledge.

e. Review goals, plans, forecasts, program designs, associated budgets, cost allocation proposals and/or performance incentives or penalties.

f. Assess whether the proposed strategies, investments, and goals proposed by the EDCs in their ESMPs are putting the Commonwealth on track to be in compliance with the Commonwealth’s calendar year 2050 goals, including the statewide greenhouse gas emissions limits and sub-limits under chapter 21N.

g. Review and propose modifications to key performance indicators and performance metrics, including equity metrics, program tracking data, and program strategies.

Consider current metrics reporting requirements and processes through relevant ongoing dockets.

h. Review and describe the impact of the draft ESMPs on Massachusetts long-term climate requirements.

i. Review, describe, and propose modifications regarding the equity impacts of programs and investments proposed in the ESMPs.

j. Review and describe the cost-efficiency of programs and investments proposed in the ESMPs.

k. Develop presentations and written materials for DOER to use for internal and external briefings on the ESMP dockets. Communicate ideas and information effectively through oral and written presentations (e.g., Microsoft Office Power Points and Excel Spreadsheets), and other written documents.

l. Present to DOER on technical topics related to distribution system planning as needed and within the technical experience of the consultant.

The DOER is posting this Notice rather than conducting a full procurement because the DOER believes this opportunity represents best value to the Commonwealth and is utilizing this Due Diligence Posting to ensure that the process is open, fair and competitive.

Determination of Other Interested Vendors

The intent of this posting is to determine if there are any other interested and qualified vendors.

Any such vendors must submit documentation that they can provide a comparable or better offer.

Response Requirement and Deadline

All Interested Contractors and Offerors interested in responding to this Notice, regardless of prior communications with the Department, must submit a Response to this posting containing evidence of their qualification and interest. All required information must be submitted by 12:00PM prevailing eastern standard time on Friday, March 1st, 2024 as follows:

If, after the posting deadline has passed, interest is generated by this Notice, the DOER will review all Responses and will determine whether they will: (i) withdraw the notice and not accept the Offeror’s offer (and cancel the Notice of Intent) or (ii) accept the offer from the Offeror or (iii) accept an offer from another vendor offering a comparable or better value than the Offeror in their Response or (iv) accept the offer from the Offeror and from any other Offerors offering similar value in their response.

Additional Terms Required for Doing Business with the Commonwealth

Names of Standard Forms Instructions Instructions for Vendors Responding to Bids Electronically

Read and agree prior to submitting a Response.

RFR - Required Specifications Read and agree prior to submitting a Response.

Prompt Payment Discount Form Complete electronically and submit as an attachment to Quote.

Commonwealth Terms and Conditions Read and agree. Sign and submit original with wet signature upon Award, if any.

Contractor Authorized Signatory Listing Read and agree. Sign and submit original with wet signature upon Award, if any.

Authorization for Electronic Funds Transfer Read and agree. Sign and submit original with wet signature upon Award, if any.

Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification (W-9)