Market Research and Request for Information - Solar Carports_23 May 2024.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

FY25 Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)

Procure and Installation of Photovoltaic (PV) Carport Assemblies

1.0 Description

The United States Army Corps of Engineers, Huntsville Center (CEHNC), in support of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), is seeking information on how many interested and qualified vendors could provide complete installation of a PV Carport Assembly and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) that will provide for passive power generation at DIA Headquarters at Joint Base Anacostia Bolling, Washington, D.C.

The Government is performing market research to determine if any firms are capable of providing the design and installation of the complete system as well as building tie-in.

1.1. The following are the required salient features:

Minimum 7.0 Megawatt (MW) nominal (nameplate) power generation using parking lots and garages identified in the attached Figure 1. Panels will need to provide a minimum efficiency of 20 watts per square foot for power generation.

Up to 1.0 MW of BESS located at the HQ facility.

All design, engineering, construction, installation, and building connection requirements.

The finishes of the new PV assembly shall be weather resistant and not cause adverse effects to the panel assembly or system for each of the four seasons.

Comply with Buy American Act.

Network capability with remote monitoring and maintenance services.

1.2. Request For Information (RFI) Only. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute as a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the Government is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. The RFI respondents are advised that the Government will not pay 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 RFP, if any is issued.

2.0 Background

The Government’s requirement is to provide a complete installation of a PV Carport Assembly and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) that will provide for passive power generation at DIA

Headquarters at Joint Base Anacostia Bolling, Washington, D.C.

2.1. Period of Performance: The Government anticipates an award within 1st quarter of FY25 with completion as soon as practicable.

2.2. Limitations: Not specified at this time.

2.3. Security Requirements: A DD254 will be issued for this requirement for escort purposes at the Top Secret (TS) level. The contractor will need to be able to provide employees equipped with TS level clearances with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) eligibility, in addition to a completed polygraph.

3.0 Requested Information

The requested information is to confirm available vendors/manufacturers.

4.0 Responses

Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with a whitepaper and/or capabilities statement.

4.1. RFI Whitepaper/Capabilities Statement. The RFI whitepaper/capabilities statement should be as a Microsoft PDF document and due NLT 13 June 2024, 10AM CST. The whitepaper response and or/capabilities statement is limited to 5 single-sided pages and submitted via e-mail only to the Government Point of Contract (POC): Mr. Samuel Curry, Contract Specialist, Samuel.L.Curry@usace.army.mil. The RFI whitepaper should address the following:

a. Is the Government requirement, as presented in paragraph 1.1 feasible? If not, please explain why.

b. Does the firm offer both solar and grid tie-in products?

c. Does the firm offer Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)?

d. Does the firm have the engineering and construction capability to install structures, along with associated equipment and BESS tie-in?

e. Location of the manufacturing facility.

f. Typical manufacturing and delivery lead times.

g. Relevant experience with similar installations of the PV Assemblies.

h. Does your firm meet the Government security requirements per paragraph 2.3?

i. It is the intent of the Government to include Provision 52.222-33, Notice of Requirement for Project Labor Agreement in the solicitation, and the clause 52.222-34, Project Labor Agreement in the award. Would these requirements preclude your firm from participating in the proposal?

j. What is a realistic response time for RFQ preparation on this type of solicitation? Would your firm submit an offer if issued at a later time?

k. Do you have experience working on/with DoD bases/facilities and do you have the ability to obtain access to Government facilities?

l. Do you think a site visit is required in order to respond to a RFP?

m. Do you provide this service commercially?

n. Please indicate the size of your business and any all-socio-economic categories that apply to your business.

o. Please select the NAICS code you believe is most appropriate for this requirement.

p. The Government intends to use NAICS 236220. Is there any other NAICS you believe is more appropriate?

q. Will your company sub-contract out a portion of the requirement? In your estimation, how much of this potential requirement would you firm need to subcontract to other firms?

r. Is there anything about this requirement that would restrict your ability to submit an offer?

If yes, describe.

Proprietary information, if any, should be kept to minimum and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All Government reviewers of the whitepaper/capabilities statement have signed a Non-Disclosure Statement.

4.2. Company Information. The RFI whitepaper should provide the following information:

Company Information. Name, mailing address, phone number, and e-mail of designated point of contact.

Small Business Information.

System for Award Management Information. Unique Entity Identification (UEI) number and

Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code.

5.0 Meetings and Discussions

The Government representatives may or may not choose to meet with potential vendors. Such meetings and discussions would only be intended to get further clarification of potential capabilities.

6.0 Questions

Questions and the whitepaper regarding this RFI should be submitted in writing by e-mail to Mr.

Samuel Curry, Contract Specialist, Samuel.L.Curry@usace.army.mil.

7.0 Summary

This RFI is only intended for the Government to identify sources that can provide a complete photovoltaic system with the salient features required to meet the Government’s need. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding to the Government. The Government has not made a commitment to procure any of the RFI requirements discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.