MCBH RFI_102023 Final.docx

Request for Information (RFI) to enhance energy resilience at Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH) Kaneohe Bay in support of the United States Marine Corps and the neighboring community via power generation, energy storage and microgrid controls or a combination of technologies.

20 October 2023

This is not a Request for Proposals (RFP).

The Department of the Navy (DON) is pleased to present this Request for Information (RFI) on behalf of Marine Corps Base Hawaii for a rare opportunity to gather insights, expertise, and potential solutions from industry experts, developers, and stakeholders to identify interest in a long-term partnership to achieve energy security and resilience, consistent with Department of Defense (DoD) priorities for energy security and energy independence.

Background:

MCBH, located on the windward (eastern) side of the island Oahu, holds significant importance for national security due to its strategic location within the Indo-Pacific region. The base serves as a critical hub for U.S. Marine Corps operations, training, and readiness, and it plays a pivotal role in enhancing the United States' military presence, deterrence capabilities, and response capabilities in the region.

MCBH relies on the commercial power grid (Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO)) for its energy needs. Transmission lines over the Koolau mountains provide power to the Windward side of Oahu (to include MCBH), representing a single point of failure for the electric power supply to MCBH and the east side of Oahu.

Scope of Work:

This RFI seeks imaginative and pioneering information on the potential for long-term partnerships to develop power generation capability and energy storage with microgrid controls to electrically island the installation during external electrical grid outages or other threats to the security of MCBH. This capability is required to be compatible with the operational mission of MCBH by providing a fully dispatchable base load and reliable power that can potentially island the installation.

MCBH welcomes innovative solutions, technologies, and concepts that can be utilized to achieve reliable power quality, potential for restoring power without reliance on commercial distribution, independent microgrid, and peak load sustainment, 24 hours a day, during a prolonged disruption in commercial energy supplies, thereby enhancing energy security, operational capability, strategic flexibility and resource availability for MCBH.

The DoD is taking proactive steps to achieve a more sustainable and secure energy future while fulfilling its critical mission requirements. Respondents are encouraged to provide solutions that are in line with DoD Carbon Free Electricity (CFE) goals. The Department has recognized the importance of reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to cleaner sources of energy. The primary goal is to significantly decrease carbon emissions associated with electricity consumption, thereby contributing to global climate objectives while strengthening national security. As such, the DoD strives to enhance its energy security and enhance operational resilience by diversifying its energy sources and reducing reliance on fossil fuels by transitioning to carbon-free electricity sources.

MCBH has identified potential sites for external use of non-excess Government property for power generation and/or storage system. A map identifying the location, area, and parameters of these sites can be found as Attachment 1 to this RFI. MCBH is open to exploring additional site(s) which could be used to maximize energy generation, while meeting the DoD CFE and installation resilience goals. While multiple parcels have been identified as potentially viable, respondents should state their preferred site(s) and considerations that will need to be made for each site. The installation’s electric distribution system is fed from HECO’s Mokapu Substation. There are two 46kV HECO-owned sub-transmission lines that supply power to the Mokapu Substation. Mokapu Substation has three transformers which step-down the incoming 46 kV to 11.5 kV. The current average base load is 12.5MW and the estimated peak load is 17.5 MW. Load growth in the coming years is expected, therefore, capacity of the generation and/or storage system should not be limited to current load, but instead maximized within the physical constraints of the property. In addition, proposed solutions will need to conform to HECO’s technical requirements in future RFPs.

The primary goal of this RFI is to gather relevant information and expertise from the energy sector to inform the base's decision-making process and lay the foundation for a successful and impactful energy resilience initiative. Additional goals include (but are not limited to):

· Gain a comprehensive understanding of the current energy market which could benefit MCBH, to include emerging technologies, and best practices related to energy generation, storage, and distribution. Gather insights into the latest advancements, trends, and innovations within the energy sector.

· Identify potential partners, contractors, developers, and stakeholders who have expertise in energy projects and could contribute to the successful implementation of the initiative.

· Evaluate the feasibility of implementing an energy generation project at MCBH. Assess the technical, economic, and logistical viability of different energy technologies in the specific context of MCBH's location and energy requirements.

· Encourage innovative ideas, technologies, and approaches that could enhance the efficiency, effectiveness, and impact of renewable energy generation at MCBH.

· Explore and identify suitable energy technology solutions that align with MCBH's energy goals and operational requirements. Gather information on proven technologies, their performance, and their compatibility with the base's infrastructure.

· Investigate the integration of energy sources into a microgrid or energy management system at MCBH. Determine how energy generation can contribute to enhancing energy resilience, reliability, and grid stability during both normal and emergency operations.

· Evaluate the feasibility of energy solutions on MCBH supporting the local community’s energy resiliency during a contingency or disaster.

· Obtain information on the estimated costs associated with designing, constructing, and operating renewable energy systems at MCBH. Explore financing options, incentives, and potential cost-saving measures.

Respondents should include the following in their response:

· Company Overview: Provide an introduction to the developer's company, including its history, experience, track record, and relevant projects completed in the renewable energy sector.

· Technical Expertise: Highlight the developer's technical expertise in energy generation technologies, such as solar, wind, geothermal, or other applicable sources. Detail the developer's experience in designing, engineering, and implementing similar projects.

· Project Approach: Outline the proposed approach to meeting the energy generation needs of MCBH. Describe the technology or technologies to be utilized, the scale of the project, and how the proposed solution aligns with MCBH's objectives. Describe how the proposed approach will conform to Hawaiian Electric technical requirements.

· Microgrid Integration: Describe how the energy generation project would integrate with MCBH's microgrid or energy management system. Highlight any features that contribute to energy resilience, reliability, and grid stability. Highlight capabilities of the microgrid to support surrounding community critical loads.

· Environmental Impact: Address the environmental impact of the proposed project. Discuss measures to minimize environmental disruption, enhance sustainability, and contribute to carbon emissions reduction.

· Technology Innovation: Highlight any innovative technologies, systems, or solutions that could enhance the efficiency, performance, or reliability of the energy generation project.

· Timeline or Other Constraints: Outline potential constraints, dependencies, or conditions that would affect the development of the project, including the need to conduct an Interconnection Requirement Study (IRS).

· Regulatory and Permitting: Discuss the developer's understanding of relevant regulations, permitting processes, and potential challenges associated with deploying energy projects on military installations.

· Partnerships and Collaborations: Outline any potential partnerships, collaborations, or subcontractors that the developer intends to engage with for the project. Highlight their roles and expertise.

· References and Case Studies: Provide references from previous energy projects, especially those with similar scope or challenges, to showcase the developer's successful track record and expertise.

· Community Engagement: Describe the developer's approach to community engagement, including any plans for involving local stakeholders, addressing concerns, and contributing to the local community. Explain the project’s tangible benefit to the community.

· Offer any additional information, insights, or suggestions that demonstrate the developer's commitment to delivering a successful and impactful energy generation project for MCBH.

All information submitted will be considered business confidential. The DoD will review and may incorporate the information received from this RFI as appropriate to comply with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). It is not mandatory to submit a response to this RFI to participate in a formal RFP process in the future. However, it should be noted that information gathered through this RFI may significantly influence how the DoD engages in such a process. The desired goal is for this RFI is to solicit maximum industry participation, which allows the DON to formulate a concise strategy in a timely manner and maximize project concept viability for both the DON and developers.

Industry Day An Industry Day will be held on 16 November 2023 at MCBH Kaneohe Bay.

Please register for Industry Day no later than 1700 HST on 31 October 2023 by emailing the following information to DON POC’s:

Christina.roberts@usmc.mil; Steven.tome@usmc.mil; Amra.brightbill.ctr@usmc.mil

1) Company Name and summary of services and capabilities

2) Name(s) (First, Middle, Last) of personnel attending (limit 2 per company), Date of Birth, and DBIDS # if applicable. Attendees must be U.S. citizen.

3) Email Addresses

4) Phone Number Please submit questions regarding the Industry Day to: christina.roberts@usmc.mil; Steven.tome@usmc.mil; Amra.brightbill.ctr@usmc.mil

The government will send a follow-on email to confirmed participants with meeting location details, a base map and final agenda. Confirmed participants must pick up their MCBH visitor base pass at the Main Gate Pass/ID Office Bldg 1637. All participants must bring a valid form of government ID and vehicle information (registration, current safety inspection, insurance).

The Industry Day will follow the following format:

· Introductory Session to review opportunity and goals.

· Brief Site Tour (no pictures).

· No Q&A sessions - all questions must be submitted via email and will be answered via a public posting on sam.gov.

Submit questions regarding this RFI to the government Project Team listed below. All questions must be submitted no later than 1700 HST on 20 November 2023. DoD intends to answer questions via a public posting on sam.gov prior to the close of this RFI.

The response to this notice is due 1700 HST on 01 December 2023.

Email responses to:

Christina.roberts@usmc.mil Steven.tome@usmc.mil George.tomala@usmc.mil Shereen.s.wachi.civ@us.navy.mil Robert.piasecki@usmc.mil Amra.brightbill.ctr@usmc.mil Megan.e.schroeder2.ctr@us.navy.mil

Please use the subject line “Response to MCBH Energy RFI”. Limit responses to 10 pages, and limit file sizes to 5MB.