NREL Request For Proposal (RFP) No. SUB-2025-10263.pdf

Reference Guide II-009, Exhibit A (Rev. 09/2020) Page 1 of 9

National Renewable Energy Laboratory Managed and Operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC

Request for Proposals (RFP) Number SUB-2025-10263

“Equipment Enclosure for PEM Megawatt-Scale Low Temperature Electrolyzer”

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

READ THIS DOCUMENT CAREFULLY

This solicitation is being conducted under the procedures for competitive subcontracts established by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). NREL will award a subcontract based on the following:

BEST VALUE SELECTION

All Statement of Work (SOW) requirements being met with the best combination of:

• Technical factors (based on qualitative merit criteria), and

• Evaluated price (or cost)

Issue Date: 4/4/2025 Due Date: 6/20/2025 Time Due: 5:00 PM Mountain Time

Technical questions must be received in writing no later than 4/21/2025

Written questions concerning this solicitation document and its requirements will be answered in writing. In response to technical questions, NREL will issue an amendment to this solicitation document that will formally provide all the questions and answers. All recipients of the solicitation document will receive responses to questions.

1. Solicitation Type Best Value Selection Firm Fixed Price, Subcontract

SUBMIT OFFERS TO AND REQUEST INFORMATION FROM THE NREL RFP CONTACT

BELOW

2. NREL RFP Contact Todd Labosky, Subcontract Administrator National Renewable Energy Laboratory 15013 Denver West Parkway, MS: RSF030 Golden, CO 80401

Email: todd.labosky@nrel.gov

Electronic copies of forms and appendices can be found at:

Reference Guide II-009, Exhibit A (Rev. 09/2020) Page 2 of 9 http://www.nrel.gov/workingwithus/standard-terms.html

Procurement Forms | NREL

3. Project description:

As specified in the Statement of Work titled “Equipment Enclosure for PEM Megawatt- Scale Low Temperature Electrolyzer”, (Attachment 1).

4. Proposed subcontract award and period of performance

The Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC has entered into Contract No. DE-AC36-

08GO28308 with the Department of Energy (DOE), an agency of the U.S. Government, for the management and operation of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (hereinafter called “NREL”). All references to “NREL” in this solicitation shall mean the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

It is the intent of NREL to award ONE Firm Fixed Price subcontract under this solicitation.

The anticipated period of performance is execution of the subcontract through twelve (12) months. Proposal of a shorter time is preferred and provides value to NREL.

5. Competitive negotiated subcontract using Best Value Selection

This solicitation shall be conducted using Best Value Selection that results in an award that is most advantageous to NREL based on the best value combination of (a) evaluated qualitative merit and (b) evaluated price (cost) of the offers submitted.

Best Value Selection is based on the premise that, if all offers are of approximately equal qualitative merit, award will be made to the offeror with the lowest evaluated price (cost).

However, NREL will consider awarding to an offeror with a higher evaluated price (cost) if the offer demonstrates the difference in price (cost) is commensurate with the higher qualitative merit. Conversely, NREL will consider awarding to an offeror with a lower evaluated qualitative merit if the price (cost) differential between it and other offers warrant doing so.

6. Qualitative merit criteria for Best Value Selection

The Statement of Work (Attachment 1) in this RFP serves as NREL’s baseline requirements that must be met by each offer.

The qualitative merit criteria establish what NREL considers the technical factors valuable in an offer. These qualitative merit criteria are performance-based and permit selection of a higher priced offer that provides higher qualitative merit.

The following qualitative merit criteria will be used to determine the technical value of the offer in meeting the objectives of the solicitation. Subcriteria, if listed, are not individually weighted, but are factors in the overall weighting.

https://www.nrel.gov/workingwithus/forms.html

Reference Guide II-009, Exhibit A (Rev. 09/2020) Page 3 of 9

Each qualitative merit criterion (and sub-criteria, if included) and its assigned weight are listed below:

Criterion

Criterion Assigned

Weight

Description

6.1 Experience

10%

Vendor demonstrates projects of similar scope and history of timely delivery.

Experience working with the government or National Laboratories is preferred.

6.2 Technical Approach

40%

Equipment enclosures (EE) are structurally/functionally sound meeting NRELs specifications as defined in the Statement of Work.

6.2.1 Sub-criterion:

Structure

EE will be scored on the strength of the structure and how well the structure aligns with the specification defined in the Statement of Work. The structure will need to be strong enough to safely support research equipment, experimental equipment, and lifted when partially loaded. EE’s with a stronger structure in alignment with the statement of work will be scored higher. Also, Principal Engineer (PE) stamped structures will be scored higher.

6.2.2 Sub-criterion:

Layout

EE layout matches NREL requirements as defined in the Statement of Work.

6.2.3 Sub-criterion:

Weatherization

EE is appropriately designed for Flatirons Campus (FC) weather. Structures that are evaluated and call out design features to accommodate the expected weather as defined in the Statement of Work will score higher.

6.3 Capability

20%

Vendor demonstrates ready ability to manufacture EE. Vendor’s written communication and drawings will be scored to ensure end product is what is requested by NREL. Vendors that communicate technical details more effectively will be scored higher. Vendor shall provide basic information regarding their manufacturing facility demonstrating the capability to design and build the enclosure.

6.4 Project Performance

30%

Vendor outlines manufacturing and delivery schedule. Shorter schedule will be scored higher.

100% Total of Merit Criteria

7. Price (cost) evaluation for Best Value Selection

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After evaluation of the qualitative merit criteria, the following price (cost) evaluation will be used to determine the best value of the offer in meeting the objectives of the solicitation.

The combined qualitative merit value will be considered equally important to the price

(cost).

Offerors should be aware that NREL will evaluate Offers in accordance with the policies and procedures of Part 25 of the FAR. In compliance with the Buy American Act, preference will be given to domestic offers., and foreign offers will be adjusted for evaluation purposes in accordance with FAR 25.106 and Subpart 25.5 (as such terms are defined in FAR 25.003).

8. Evaluation process

NREL will evaluate offers in two general steps:

Step One—Initial Evaluation An initial evaluation will be performed to determine if all required information has been provided for an acceptable offer. Offerors may be contacted only for clarification purposes during the initial evaluation. Offerors shall be notified if their offer is determined unacceptable and the reasons for rejection will be provided. Unacceptable offers will be excluded from further consideration.

Step Two—Discussion, Selection, Negotiation, and Award All acceptable offers will be evaluated against the Statement of Work and the qualitative merit criteria listed above. Based on this evaluation, and taking into consideration the proposed price (cost), NREL has the option, depending on the specific circumstances of the offers received, to use one of the following methods of selection:

(a) make individual selection(s), conduct negotiations, and make an award(s);

(b) conduct parallel negotiations with all offerors and make award(s);

(c) conduct discussions with all offerors, select successful finalists, conduct parallel negotiations with successful finalists, and then make award(s);

(d) conduct discussions with all offerors, conduct parallel negotiations with the finalists, select successful finalist(s), and then make award(s);

(e) select successful finalists, conduct successive negotiations, and make successive selections and awards;

(f) make no award(s).

9. Proposal preparation information

a. The proposal must include a title page, including the RFP title and number, name of your organization and principal investigator or project manager (with postal address, telephone number(s), and email address). The title should be succinct and capture the essence of your offer. The technical proposal with its title page, along with all components of the proposal and other required documents as described sections b through g below shall each be provided as separate PDF files (provided in a compressed or “zipped” folder, preferred).

Reference Guide II-009, Exhibit A (Rev. 09/2020) Page 5 of 9

b. Formatting instructions

- A page is defined as one side of an 8 ½” x 11” sheet of paper.

- Use a 12-point font.

- Maintain at least 1-inch margins on all sides.

- Pages (other than engineering drawings) must have the same page orientation

(i.e., do not present pages that offset by 90 degrees).

- Include the following notice on your title page:

“Notice for Handling Proposals:

This proposal shall be used and disclosed for Alliance/NREL and Government evaluation purposes only. Any authorized restrictive notices which the Offeror places on this proposal shall also be strictly complied with. Disclosure of this proposal outside the Government, Alliance/NREL, Alliance/NREL consultants, or other national laboratories personnel for evaluation purposes shall be made only to the extend authorized by, and in accordance with, the procedures in DEAR 915.207-70 and, as applicable stated in the procurement solicitation document for source evaluation and selection process.

Upon completion of the evaluation, the evaluator shall certify in writing to the Source Evaluation Team Chairperson that all copies of this proposal have been destroyed and/or deleted from any electronic device, medium or storage location with the exception of those retained in the procurement file or in the case of successful offeror(s) in the project management file.”

c. An electronic copy (assembled pdf) of the technical proposal directed toward meeting the requirements of NREL’s Statement of Work and qualitative merit criteria (see item 6 above). The technical proposal shall identify any proposed changes to the Statement of Work as a stand-alone attachment to the technical proposal. The technical proposal shall be organized in the following sections:

Reference Guide II-009, Exhibit A (Rev. 09/2020) Page 6 of 9

Section No.

Description

1 Response to Requirements Described in Experience Criterion

2 Response to Requirements Described in Technical Approach Criterion

3 Response to Requirements Described in Capability Criterion

4 Delivery schedule of proposed structure, expected manufacturing timeline, expected delivery timeline

5 30% Structural Design Drawings

The total technical proposal shall not exceed 10 pages which includes all text, graphics, charts, attachments, appendices, addendums, indices, exhibits, etc.

(resumes, engineering drawings, and proposed changes to the Statement of Work are not included in page count). In the event that the page limit is exceeded, NREL at its sole discretion, reserves the right to remove pages from the sections of any non-conforming submittals to bring each non-conforming submittal within the page count requirement.

http://www.nrel.gov/workingwithus/forms.html

e. A completed “Proposed Payment and Milestone Schedule” (Attachment 3)

f. A completed “Representations & Certifications for Commercial Services” form.

Please download from the NREL general access website link below:

g. A cover letter including either acceptance or change/exception with reason to the sample subcontract schedule (Attachment 2), anticipated period of performance, and the standard terms and conditions and/or the intellectual property terms and conditions in the appendices. The offeror shall explain any proposed change/exception with respect to the sample subcontract schedule and terms and conditions. Any proposed change/exception must contain sufficient amplification and justification to permit evaluation. Such proposed changes/exceptions will not, of themselves, automatically cause an offer to be termed unacceptable. However, a large number of proposed changes/exception or one or more significant exceptions not providing any obvious benefit to the NREL or the Department of Energy may result in rejection of such offer as unacceptable. In addition, the cover letter shall include a summary statement indicating acceptance of the statement of work (Attachment 1) or any change with the reason(s).

h. This solicitation requires the submittal of electronic proposals.

i. This solicitation does not commit NREL to pay costs incurred in the preparation and submission of a proposal in response to this RFP.

Reference Guide II-009, Exhibit A (Rev. 09/2020) Page 7 of 9

10. Solicitation Provisions—full text provided

a. Late submissions, modifications, and withdrawals of offers

Offers, or modifications to them, received from qualified organizations after the latest date specified for receipt may be considered if received prior to award, and NREL determines that there is a potential price (cost), technical, or other advantage, as compared to the other offers received. However, depending on the circumstances surrounding the late submission or modification, NREL may consider a late offer to be an indication of the offeror’s performance capabilities, resulting in downgrading of the offer in the technical evaluation process. Offers may be withdrawn by written notice received at any time before award.

b. Restrictions on disclosure and use of proprietary data (Nov 2018)

Offerors who include in their proposals proprietary data that they do not want disclosed to the public for any purpose or used by the government or NREL, except for evaluation purposes shall, in addition to including the “Notice for Handling Proposals” required in Paragraph #. b. above—

1. Mark the title page with the following legend:

“This offer includes proprietary data that shall not be disclosed outside the government or NREL and shall not be used or disclosed—in whole or in part—for any purpose other than to evaluate this offer. If, however, a subcontract is awarded to this offeror as a result of—or in connection with— the submission of proprietary data, the government or NREL shall have the right to duplicate, use, or disclose the proprietary data to the extent required in the resulting subcontract. This restriction does not limit the government or NREL’s right to use this proprietary data if obtained from another source without restriction. The proprietary data subject to this restriction are contained on pages [insert page and line numbers or other identification of pages] of this offer”; and

2. Highlight (in yellow) the proprietary data on each page it wishes to restrict and add the following footer:

“Use or disclosure of proprietary data contained on this page is subject to the restriction on the title page of this offer.”

c. “[RESERVED]”

d. Disclaimer

NEITHER THE UNITED STATES; NOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY; NOR

ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, LLC; NOR ANY OF THEIR

CONTRACTORS, SUBCONTRACTORS, OR THEIR EMPLOYEES MAKE ANY

WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, OR ASSUME ANY LEGAL LIABILITY OR

RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, OR USEFULNESS

FOR ANY PURPOSE OF ANY OF THE TECHNICAL INFORMATION OR DATA

ATTACHED OR OTHERWISE PROVIDED HEREIN AS REFERENCE MATERIAL.

Reference Guide II-009, Exhibit A (Rev. 09/2020) Page 8 of 9

e. Solicitation disputes

The General Accountability Office and the Department of Energy do not accept or rule on disputes for solicitations for Requests for Proposals issued by Management and Operating Contractors for the Department of Energy (operators of Department of Energy National Laboratories). Should an offeror have any concerns regarding the NREL solicitation process or selection determination, the offeror may contact Paul White, Advocate for Commercial Practices, at (303) 384-7575. NREL will address each concern received from an offeror on an individual basis.

f. Prohibition on use of certain telecommunications and video surveillance services or equipment per the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act Section 889(a)(1)(B)

In accordance with the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act Section

889(a)(1)(B), NREL is prohibited from contracting with any offeror that uses, and/or whose lower-tier subcontractor(s) use, covered telecommunication equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as a critical technology of any system, on or after 08/13/2020, unless an exception applies or a waiver is granted. This includes such equipment or services from five Chinese companies: Huawei, ZTE Corporation, Hytera Communications, Hangzhou Hikvision, and Dahua Technology.

g. Compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (found at 29 U.S.C. 794d)

The requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act apply to NREL’s procurement of all electronic and information technology (EIT) and any development, maintenance, or use of EIT.

11. Solicitation provisions

The following solicitation documents are attached:

▪ Attachment 1, Statement of Work dated 4/1/2025

▪ Attachment 2, Sample Subcontract Schedule – Commercial Services – Firm Fixed

Price

▪ Attachment 3, Proposed Payment and Milestone Schedule

12. Solicitation provisions—incorporated by reference—general access

This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. The following documents can be downloaded from http://www.nrel.gov/workingwithus/standard-terms.html and http://www.nrel.gov/workingwithus/forms.html or the NREL RFP Contact (see item 2) will make available upon request.

Reference Guide II-009, Exhibit A (Rev. 09/2020) Page 9 of 9

The documents and forms that are listed below are applicable to this solicitation and resulting award:

Appendix/Form

✓ NREL Standard Terms and Conditions: Appendix B-8 (1/23/2023)

✓ NREL Intellectual Property Provisions: Appendix C-3 (8/1/2022)

NREL Representations and Certifications SAM Supplement For Commercial Items and Services (7/14/2022);

✓ Proposed Payment and Milestone Schedule

13. NAICS Code and Small Business Size Standard

a. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) for this solicitation is 332311.

b. The small business size standard for 332311 is 750 or fewer employees.

14. Notice Regarding NREL Payments to Subcontractors

It is NREL’s standard practice to make all payments to domestic subcontractors via electronic (ACH) payments or to international subcontractors via wire transfers. Any Offeror receiving notification of an award under this solicitation must complete and submit a “Request for ACH/Wire Banking Information” form to the applicable NREL Subcontract Administrator. Payments to subcontractors will be deposited directly into the subcontractor’s designated bank account in accordance with the banking account/wire transfer information provided on the form by an authorized company representative. An electronic (PDF) copy of the form will be provided by the NREL Subcontract Administrator upon notification of award. Please do not include an ACH form with your response to this RFP.