Hood River County_MHTH Solar Plus Solar Storage Microgrid Project_Addendum-1_7.28.2025.pdf

Addendum #1 Mt. Hood Town Hall Solar + Storage Energy System Construction

July 28, 2025

Hood River County is providing this Addendum to clarify or confirm certain provisions of the Request for Proposals. This Addendum is based on questions raised during the solicitation process. None of these responses have resulted in any amendments to the existing solicitation or form of contract.

1. Is Auxim preferred or do we just need to use panels based on the specs in Section 3, page 6? / Are we able to provide different hardware that has equivalent components? / Can an alternate BESS and PV product be used or will it need to be approved prior to submitting our bid?

Alternative products will be considered.

2. The Auxim panels are bifacial; are bifacial panels more desired than non bifacial panels?

Proposals with bifacial or monofacial panels will be considered. Aesthetics of the installation will be taken into consideration.

3. With higher more efficient solar panels, the requested kw can fit on one larger solar carport rather than two areas, this would save money. Is there a reason to have 2 areas of solar?

The solar canopy locations were identified through an intentional community engagement process.

4. Could we include solar canopies at both locations in the base bid then reevaluate the canopy locations and need for two canopy areas as part of value engineering?

Yes

5. Are the canopies part of the project?

Yes

6. Can Hood River County elaborate on this requirement: "Solar canopies should provide adequate rain shelter."

A design that provides shelter from the rain is a priority.

7. The array location proposed, are there any plans for the concrete court? Can we use more space on that court in case we want to create 2 separate arrays?

There are no plans to change the use of the paved (asphalt) play area. Design variations may be considered as part of value engineering.

https://www.hoodrivercounty.gov/vertical/Sites/%7B4BB5BFDA-3709-449E-9B16-B62A0A0DD6E4%7D/uploads/RFP_Design_Build_Public_Improvement.pdf

8. Is there any intended parking under the solar canopy?

The paved play area under the canopy will continue as a play area and also for occasional overflow parking.

9. Do any parking spaces in the playground need to be reserved?

The ability to park under the canopy will continue, recognizing that some space will be lost because of the project.

10. Does the customer want lighting under the canopy?

Yes

11. Can you provide the most current property map?

A property map can be viewed at https://webmap.hoodrivercounty.gov/ .

12. Any drawings for the property, or CAD files available?

No additional drawings or CAD files are available.

13. Please confirm what's funding the project, the customer or a grant? / Are there any expected requirements for the funding source such as tax incentives or BABA (Build America Buy America)? What is the status of the ODOE grant?

The project is funded by a grant from Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE). The ODOE grant was awarded, and a Performance Agreement has been executed. Tax incentives are not factored into the project budget, and BABA requirements do not apply.

14. Is there a generator on site?

No

15. Is the 25-year warranty on output or materials? / Can you clarify what metrics or outcomes you're looking to guarantee (e.g., uptime, cost savings, energy output) in terms of system performance? / Please clarify whether or not a 25-year manufacturer product warranty is required for the PV module.

Per Section 3, Page 6 of the RFP, the PV modules shall have a 25-year limited warranty that modules will generate no less than 80% of rated output under standard testing conditions (STC). Any system performance guarantee terms offered by the respondent will be reviewed and considered as part of the cost competitiveness criterion, but are not required.

16. Is the project interested in bi-directional EVCS with the on-site batteries?

Not at this time.

17. Can you confirm if a bid bond is required for this project?

No bid bond is required for this project.

18. In the event tariffs impact material pricing after the 30 day price guarantee, who will be covering that cost?

https://webmap.hoodrivercounty.gov/

The Hood River County Design Build Contract Template included in the solicitation governs pricing after contract execution. Unless the contractor includes and negotiates a price escalation clause as part of their proposal and it is incorporated into the final contract, the contractor bears the risk of cost changes, including those caused by tariffs.

19 Are tariffs included in the contract-template definition of Force Majeure? Are material price escalations due to tariffs covered under Section D.2.1.2 Unavoidable Delays?

No, and no. Material price escalations due to tariffs are not included in the definition of Force Majeure under the contract, especially as they will not affect the Contractors' ability to perform the contracted work, even if they do make that work more expensive. Section D.2.1.2 of the General Conditions allows for extensions of time in the event of unavoidable delays, but not for cost recovery.

20. I'm wondering if you would be willing to share the list of attendees from the site visit for the Mt. Hood Town Hall Solar + Energy Storage System Project.

A list of attendees can be found in Addendum #2.

21. Does the County have a preferred method for installing buried conduit (e.g., open trench vs. directional bore)?

No preference

22. Have preliminary discussions occurred with Hood River Electric and Internet Coop regarding the point of interconnection? Are there known constraints or design preferences from the utility? It appears that there is a maximum 25 kW max for PV net metering. Would this entire array require zero-export controls by the co-op?

Preliminary conversations with Hood River Electric & Internet Coop have taken place. Once a contractor is chosen, the Co-op is ready to discuss interconnection details. An exception to the 25kW net metering was granted for the system as described in the RFP. No constraints or design preferences have been identified to date.

23. Any existing power issues for the property? Unexpected shutdowns?

None that we’re aware of.

24. Have any geotechnical reports been performed?

No

25. Item K.6 on pg 23 of the Design Build Contract states: "Contractor shall provide spare parts, extra maintenance materials, and other materials or products in the quantities specified in the specifications" Can Hood River County please confirm where spare parts and quantities are defined in the specifications? Otherwise, we can provide a recommended list of spare parts and price.

Please provide a recommended list of spare parts and price.

26. Can Hood River County provide scenario 1-4 load profiles in 15 minute intervals for a design year?

We don’t have interval data beyond the load profile graphs on pages 5-6 of the feasibility report.

27. Can you provide historic 15 minute interval meter data?

This data is not available.

28. Per the height specifications provided, is that value for clear height (lowest point of the solar panel) or top height (highest point on the canopy/panel)?

The preference is for the low point and high point to be within the provided range.

29. Is there an area where the customer may want to use the native soil we dig up?

Not likely.

30. Are we allowed to trim trees if they provide shade to the array?

Any tree trimming must be approved by Mt Hood Town Hall representatives.

31. Can the overhead line that crosses the playground be removed or relocated?

A power line and an internet fiber line cross the paved play area, above the height of the canopy. Coordination with Hood River Electric will be necessary to determine if the lines can be removed or relocated.

32. Are there any specific prerequisites or documentation required before funding can be released for completed work?

The project will need to commence operation and be interconnected to the utility, and receipts, paid invoices, cancelled checks (if applicable), and bank loan or promissory note documentation for the project will need to be shared with Hood River County for grant reporting purposes.