NAT26002-SESPRA_qa.xlsx

This is a Question and Answer document prepared by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy in response to bidder inquiries regarding a comprehensive risk analysis of Delaware's critical energy infrastructure. The procurement requests proposals for professional services to conduct detailed inventory and risk, vulnerability, and dependency assessments of Delaware's major energy supply, distribution, and demand networks, with deliverables supporting system situational awareness, resiliency planning, hazard mitigation, climate change adaptation, and disaster response coordination. The scope of work encompasses a statewide, system-level cyber risk assessment focused on categorical and descriptive analysis rather than facility-level technical evaluation, hazard modeling using existing Delaware and federal datasets, and development of a mapping tool for use by emergency managers and policymakers. Key clarifications indicate that the cyber assessment should address electric transmission and distribution, energy management systems, substation automation, generation control systems, pipeline control systems, and communications infrastructure without penetration testing or active technical cybersecurity testing. The DNREC will facilitate stakeholder access, provide existing studies and data including results from the 2025 Analysis of Delaware's Electricity Distribution Grid, and coordinate information sharing; however, contractor participation with utilities remains voluntary. No on-site visits to facilities are anticipated unless determined necessary post-award. Project milestones include a kickoff meeting, biweekly meetings, two stakeholder meetings, and sequenced deliverables with final results anticipated by the end of the one-year contract term.

Pricing must be presented in phased format rather than lump sum, with no maximum budget or expected budget range specified; DNREC will recommend award to the proposal offering the greatest value to the State from available funding with competing priorities. Bidders may demonstrate experience collectively through prime contractors and proposed subcontractors or key project team members across required areas including distribution system operational evaluation, interconnection of distributed energy resources, and work with investor-owned, municipal, and cooperative utilities. Comparable critical-infrastructure risk, vulnerability, dependency, or resilience assessments qualify as relevant projects if methodology and technical scope are directly applicable to RFP objectives. For privately held small businesses unable to provide independently audited financial statements, alternative documentation demonstrating financial stability such as reviewed or compiled financial statements or tax documentation will be accepted. Required audited financial statements and supplemental work product samples do not count toward the 50-page proposal maximum length limit.