NSA Annapolis RFP_Navy Response to Questions 28JUN2024.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFP)

N40080-24-RP-00062 / LO-10985

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY

ANNAPOLIS

NAVAL FACILITIES ENGINEERING SYSTEMS COMMAND

WASHINGTON (NAVFACSYSCOM WASHINGTON)

in conjunction with

THE UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY

RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS

June 28, 2024

Question Government Response

What State or Local entities, if any, have jurisdiction over permitting and construction activities within the boundaries of the subject area or is NAVFAC (NSA

USNA) the Authority having Jurisdiction (AHJ) that developers will work through. We are trying to ensure that Anne Arundel County Bill 53‐23, which severely limits solar production on land located in the county, will not apply.

Federal and state jurisdiction over permitting and construction activities will vary based scope of the project and permit type. Local zoning does not apply to federal property.

Will the DON consider the purchase of power as permitted under 10 U.S. Code § 2667 (c) (1) (D) in order to meet the requirements of EO14057 if the utility rate provided is less than, or equal to the current rate? If so, what is the current rate to purchase and/or to generate power?

The DON does not intend to purchase any power as part of this project.

Will the DON consider SREC’s (solar renewable energy credits) and/or Utility bill credits as IKC?

The DON would consider SRECs as an IKC.

What is the current energy intensity [energy amount used to produce a given level of output or activity] of the property?

The current energy intensity of the property is unknown.

When does the current sublease on the property end? Anne Arundel County's existing sublease expires on

12/31/2024.

Is the navy interested in any renewable energy credits

(RECs) produced by the clean energy facility to help offset its 2050 net zero goals?

Yes, the Navy is interested in renewable energy credits as an IKC to contribute to meeting DON and the Nation’s commitment to net‐zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Will the navy provide what it believes is fair market value for this property?

No, this information is proprietary to the Navy and subject to exclusive negotiations once a developer is selected.

Is it required to provide a dollar amount for the value of the property in Phase I?

No.

Are there any current leases/land use that will extend into our proposals?

The Navy intends to negotiate a lease the entirety of the 857‐acre Dairy Farm for the purposes stated in the solicitation. All development on the property must comply with 10 USC §8476 and all current and environmental and historic regulations.

Do proposals need to include lease for the full property or can there be any exclusions?

This opportunity encompasses the entirety of the

857‐acre Dairy Farm.

Will existing fields/crops stay or can [they] be replaced?

Existing fields/crops are not required to remain as‐is, and can be replaced subject to the restrictions discussed in the RFP.

Considering this is a federal property, are there any permits/inspection requirements?

Development of the site is subject to all applicable

Federal and State environmental permitting and cultural resource regulations. Federal and state jurisdiction over permitting and construction activities will vary based scope of the project and permit type.

Was BGE informed of the project? Are there any recommendations for solar connection? Will new lines be in place?

Yes, BGE is aware of this initiative. Developers are encouraged to work with the local utility provider to determine interconnection requirements.

Have any heritage studies been completed? Several archaeological and architectural studies have been completed at the site, and were used to develop the constraints map provided with the RFP. Copies of these reports/studies will be provided during the exclusive negotiation phase after developer selection.

Have any wetlands been delineated? No.

When are the community outreach meetings taking place; and can industry attend?

Community outreach meeting date(s) have not been confirmed. Once set, date(s) will be posted on

Sam.gov. Industry is welcome to attend.

Federal land is normally controlled by a license rather than a lease. If a lease/license is there a draft copy available.

The Navy intends to execute a lease for this property. A draft copy is not available at this time.

What are the expectations as to commercial operations? Interconnection queues are multi‐year long.

We do not have expectations on commercial operations.

What type of crops are being grown? What is amount and acreage?

MD Sunrise Farm grows grass hay, corn, soybeans, milo, barley, wheat, triticale, and a diverse mix of cool season annual cover crops. Anne Arundel

County (AACO) 4‐H Club currently cultivates a mix of grasses for dairy cattle on site and the UMD

Extension‐Anne Arundel County grows various crops.

Other crops grown on site, include grass for horses on site and a corn maze. MD Sunrise Farm is farming all 714 of the acres within their leased footprint, with exception of areas covered by roadways, trees, waterways, etc. All crops grown are for livestock consumption. UMD Extension‐ AACO Agricultural

Extension grows crops for both human and animal consumption on an area of approximately one acre.

Crops grown on an additional ~ 27 acres on the property are for animal consumption only.

What easements are on the property? There are four (4) easements on the property as follows: one (1) for power lines and tree‐trimming;

two (2) for sewer lines; and one (1) for County road.

Is a copy of the Phase I [Environmental Assessment] available?

A Phase I Environmental Assessment has not been completed.

Who is responsible to complete NEPA? Lessee will cover all costs related to Government preparation and approval of the NEPA.

Is the farm a single lot? If not, is a lot map available? Yes, it is a single lot, comprised of 12 original parcels.

Maryland Federal Lands property data is available for download in various formats on Maryland.gov:

https://data.imap.maryland.gov/datasets/e8c94de8

9d6f4319bef28897c6a89581_0/explore?location=39.

059314%2C‐76.679140%2C14.80

How many of the residential/houses on site are occupied? How long to those leases?

Three houses (3) are occupied. Anne Arundel County is currently in negotiations for subleasing.

Extension Office is located on the site; is this expected to remain?

This entity operates under the current Anne Arundel

County lease. The DON encourages developers to work with local organizations, non‐profits, or other entities to provide a holistic approach for the entire

Dairy Farm premise.

Are there standards/requirements or maintenance of existing structures (i.e., what standard is the navy looking for, some buildings are already in despair)?

Standards/requirements for existing structures would be addressed through negotiation of a formal agreement between the developer, the Navy and

Maryland Historic Trust prior to lease execution.

What insurance/other requirements will the Navy have for operators who will utilize the site? For visitors?

The selected Lessee will be required to obtain commercial general liability and property damage insurance. Additionally, if and to the extent required by law, Lessee shall also obtain and provide

Workman's Compensation. The Lessee would assume liability for all visitors.

Are there navy required insurance requirements for the bidder and/or other partners/subleases?

The selected Lessee will be required to obtain commercial general liability and property damage insurance. Additionally, if and to the extent required by law, the Lessee shall also provide Workman's

Compensation. The leasee would assume liability for all visitors.

Is there any Navy approval for other partners/subleases?

Section 2.1 of the RFP states that "in addition to any information known and provided to the DON under

Section 4.1 and throughout negotiations, the successful Lessee will be affirmatively obligated in the Lease to notify the DON of any new or changed information reflected in Section 4.1 that impacts mission assurance or national security considerations. Be advised that providing this information throughout the duration of the Leases may affect Lessee’s development or operation plans for the Site. This may include: changes in ownership of Lessees; vetting of sub Lessees or assignees;

approving the billing of materials, addition of foreign business contacts; new or changed material vendors used for on‐site development, construction, operations, or maintenance activities; or any other information reflected in the Leases."

What are requirements for upkeep/maintenance of buildings on site? Are there different requirements for homes vs barns, etc.

Standards/requirements for existing structures would be addressed through negotiation of a formal agreement between the developer, the Navy and

Maryland Historic Trust prior to lease execution.

Any existing leases/groups who currently have access to the site that are expected to be maintained (i.e.

DeNova HorseFarm, Anne Arundel County Extension office, housing units, etc.)?

These entities have access to the site under the current Anne Arundel County lease. The DON encourages developers to work with local organizations, non‐profits, or other entities to provide a holistic approach for the entire Dairy Farm premise.

Can you provide US Naval Academy utility usage? The power consumption at USNA is approximately

140 MWh/year.

The RFP indicates that the DON is not intending to purchase power from the project, but indicates the

USNA might. Can you provide any further clarifications?

The DON, to include USNA, does not intend to purchase energy from a proposed project. It is expected that Offerors to this RFP will secure offtake agreements for proposed projects through available market offtake opportunities.

Who will be the Authrority Having Jurisduction (AHJ) for the site?

Federal and state jurisdiction over permitting and construction activities will vary based scope of the project and permit type.

Would the DON please consider extending the question due date by one week to allow proposers more time to submit questions and requests for clarification?

Any extension to the question submission date will be posted to Sam.gov.

Is the DON only interested in receiving the four factors in section 4.1 as Phase I submission due July 29th by

5:00 pm. Is there a total page count restriction?

The DON evaluation of Phase I submissions is limited to the four factors in section 4.1. There is no page limitation for Phase I submissions but proposals must be submitted in pdf format, via DoD Safe and be no larger than 15MB.

Have any Interconnection Studies been completed and if so, can this information be provided?

The Navy has not conducted any interconnection studies for this property.

What is your definition of agrivoltaics, as it relates to this project and this property?

Per NREL, agrivoltaics pairs solar with agriculture, creating energy and providing space for crops, grazing, and native habitats under and between panels. As stated in the RFP, "in addition to solar development, developers are encouraged to provide other energy generation technologies, such as agrivoltaics with active farming, that can provide a benefit both to the DON and the local community.

To bring this vision to life, the DON envisions collaborative partnerships between the Lessee and local nonprofit organizations, particularly in the realms of farming, agriculture, and the utilization and maintenance of housing units (refer to Section

3.0 of the RFP for further details)."

We are well aware of the legislation passed by

Congress approximately 25 years ago, not allowing the

Navy to sell the property without Congressional approval, and that it had to stay in agriculture. How does the Navy envision agriculture on this 857 acre space, 5 years from now?

Existing fields/crops are not required to remain as‐is, and can be replaced subject to the restrictions discussed in the RFP.

Extension to Questions? Asking for one week extension to submitting questions.

Any extension to the question submission date will be posted to Sam.gov.

What State or Local entities, if any, have jurisdiction over permitting and construction activities within the boundaries of the subject area or is NAVFAC (NSA

USNA) the AHJ that developers will work through. We are trying to ensure that Anne Arundel County Bill 53‐

23, which severely limits solar production on land located in the county, will not apply.

Federal and state jurisdiction over permitting and construction activities will vary based scope of the project and permit type. Local zoning does not apply to federal property.

Will the DON consider the purchase of power as permitted under 10 U.S. Code § 2667 (c) (1) (D) in order to meet the requirements of EO14057 if the utility rate provided is less than, or equal to the current rate? If so, what is the current rate to purchase and/or to generate power?

The DON does not intend to purchase any power as part of this project.

Will the DON consider SREC’s and/or Utility bill credits as IKC?

The DON would consider SRECs as an IKC.

Would the Navy consider an extension to the current

RFP Phase I submission deadline?

Any extension to the RFP submission response date will be issued as a modification to the RFP and posted to Sam.gov.