CFE RFI Q and As .pdf

Questions and Answers:

Q: Table 1 of the RFI estimates GSA’s projected Annual kWh Load by balancing authority. Would you please provide an estimate of load by state and by month?

A: CFE must be delivered to the same balancing authority of Federal facility consumption; therefore, we don’t intend to provide additional estimated load based on state.

Q: Pages 13-14 of the Implementing Instructions for Executive Order 14057 describe government-wide coordination of CFE procurement and summarize the rules for agencies operating in retail choice and vertically integrated markets. Would you please provide more detail regarding how the GSA, DLA, and/or other large agencies plan to contract for power? Specifically:

(a) what are the minimum and maximum allowable contract sizes, A: Contract quantities will be based on agency need, budget, and benefits of aggregating demand.

(b) what term lengths are permitted, and A: Contract terms will be based on agency need, budget, and benefits of aggregating demand. Under 40 U.S.C. § 501, GSA contracts for public utility services “may be made for a period of not more than 10 years.”

(c) how much flexibility do agencies have to adjust contract terms?

A: Agencies may adjust contract terms subject to applicable laws, regulations, and agency policies.

Q: In last year’s RFI, an illustrative load profile showing hour-by-hour electricity consumption for a period of one year was available as Supplementary Material. Is a similar load profile available this year?

A: For purposes of this RFI, the information provided last year is accurate and may be used when preparing a response.

Q: In the Question and Answer documents associated with last year’s RFI, several answers indicated that the purpose of the RFI was to gather market research. This year’s RFI intends to build upon last year’s request. Have there been, or does the government anticipate, any changes its procurement approach that a company should consider when responding to this year’s RFI? Are there other considerations?

A: Last year’s RFI was aimed at demonstrating an intent to achieve the E.O.

targets using a whole of government approach; to understand the ability of industry to supply the scale of CFE needed; gather indicative pricing information based on increments of scale; and gather information from industry on potential approaches to and key considerations for meeting the targets set by E.O. 14057. The information from this RFI will be used to develop specific acquisition strategies in particular markets. It asks specific questions based on the Implementing Instructions, released last August. For instance, the Implementing Instructions advised that the generation of the

CFE must be from new or expanded sources October 2021 or later, which was not previously considered. The USG wants to know about new projects that are in the planning and development stage. Also, the Implementing Instructions describe different EACs the USG can use to reach its goal such as using bridge EACs, grid supplied CFE, and unbundled EACs, for example.

This RFI seeks to understand more about the type of agreements needed.

This will affect our procurement strategies.