MW Solar Contractor Questions 81-91.doc

9 Dec 2009

MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD

FROM: 95 CONS/PKB

5 S. Wolfe Avenue

Edwards AFB, CA 93524

SUBJECT: Submitted Questions and Answers, Purchase of Renewable Solar Electricity at Edwards AFB, Solicitation FA9301-09-R-0029

Question 76: Can solar panels from other countries such as China be used?

REVISED Answer 76: The Buy American Act does not apply to this Utility Service Acquisition. Per clause 52.212-5 included in the solicitation, the Buy American Act DOES apply to this Utility Service Acquisition.

Per clause 252.212-7001 included in the solicitation, the Buy American Act Clause, 252.225-7001, DOES apply to this Utility Service Acquisition. DFAR Clause 252.225-7002, will also be added via an amendment to the RFP.

Question 81: Clarification to Answer #15 – Are we truly limited to 5 acres at each site? What if we had the most cost effective technology and it required 7 acres for 1 MW of installed capacity? Then could we have 7 acres at the three sites that call for a full 1 MW of installed capacity?

Answer 81: Yes, as stated in the solicitation we are limiting the parcel to 5 acres. However, we understand some technologies may extend beyond the 5 acres and the base is willing to consider based on the proposal.

Question 82: Is the land provided at no cost to the energy producer during the term of the PPA?

Answer 82: An easement will be granted to the contractor after contract award. The contractor will be provided the use of the land under the terms of the Easement pursuant the authority contained in 10 U.S.C. § 2669, for and in consideration of the sum of $1.00 and other good and valuable consideration.

Question 83: When you request a “fixed price” is that to assume that all MWh produced at a given site are at the same price over the life of the 10 year PPA? Therefore no starting price followed by an escalator?

Answer 83: Yes. The fixed price is the same price for the life of the ten year PPA. However, EPA clauses do apply (252.243-7001 and 252.243-7002).

Question 84: For each site are we on the EAFB side of the SCE meter, therefore connecting to EAFB and not to SCE?

Answer 84: Yes, as stated in the solicitation (PWS 2.3.1.4) all connections are made on the base side of the meter.

Question 85: Will you be providing a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) that will serve as the baseline delivery of service document, or will the contractor have the responsibility of producing the first draft of the PPA?

Answer 85: The awarded contract will serve as the PPA.

Question 86: We are under the assumption that Edwards AFB (Air Force) will retain the Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) produced from this project…please reconfirm.

Answer 86: No, as stated in the solicitation (PWS 1.1) “the contractor shall directly apply to the state for these incentives.”

Question 87: What is the approximate time it takes a package to go through base security?

Answer 87: Use of standard carriers will provide delivery without delay. Packages sent overnight usually arrive on time.

Question 88: What does the Buy American Act entail?

Answer 88: Please refer to FAR 22.101.

Question 89: It is still unclear which switchrack bay positions will be utilized at two of the substation locations. No switchrack position number was specified for Substation #3 or for Corum Substation. Neither was it clarified for Corum Substation whether a 12.47kV switchrack position is available or whether one needs to be constructed. Please clarify.

Answer 89: A new switchrack position will be provided at switching station #3 at the location identified in the photos provided. Corum substation will need a new switchrack position constructed on the pole shown in the photos provided.

Question 90: It is difficult to estimate the projected cost to design and install the cable connections at each of the substation sites without knowledge of the physical and electrical arrangements of the substations. Please provide copies of the general arrangement and 1-Line diagrams for each of the four substations.

Answer 90: See attached Single Line Diagrams for details.

Question 91: It is understood that SCE is the utility supplying power to Edwards at each of the four substation interconnect locations. It is also understood that SCE owns and operates Corum Substation, but ownership of the three 34.5kV substations remains unclear. Will SCE or the owner of the substations permit the isolating/paralleling MV circuit breaker and associated disconnect switches to be installed in the switchrack inside the substation fence?

Answer 91: To avoid confusion the base defines the “substations” as the SCE point of delivery and SCE owned. The “substations” feed the base “switching stations” and the solar plant tie-in to the base electrical distribution system. SCE has three “substations” at the (1) Main Base, (2) AFRL, and (3) SCE Corum parcels. The base has “switching stations” at Main Base (Switch Station #1), AFRL (Switch Station #2) and South base (Switch Station #3) owned by the Air Force. All the connections will be made at the “switching stations” with the exception of the new switching rack required at the SCE Corum substation. All paralleling will be done at the solar facility.

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE HEADQUARTERS 95TH AIR BASE WING (AFMC)

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE CALIFORNIA