Request for Proposal SUB-2020-10121.pdf

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

Request for Proposals (RFP) SUB-2020-10121

“2020 Distributed Wind Turbine Competitiveness Improvement Project”

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

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:

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: 02/27/20 Due Date: 03/31/20 Time Due: 2:00 p.m. Mountain Time

Technical questions must be received in writing no later than Tuesday, March 10th

1. Solicitation Type Best Value Selection Firm Fixed Price with Price Participation

Submit offers to and request information from the NREL Contact below

2. NREL RFP Contact Kyndall Jackson, Subcontract Administrator National Renewable Energy Laboratory 15013 Denver West Parkway, MS: RSF030 Golden, CO 80401 Phone: (303) 275-4253 Email: Kyndall.Jackson@nrel.gov

Electronic (PDF) copies of forms and appendices can be found at the following addresses:

http://www.nrel.gov/workingwithus/forms.html https://www.nrel.gov/workingwithus/standard-terms.html

3. Project description

The 2020 Distributed Wind Turbine Competitiveness Improvement Project (CIP) is comprised of seven (7) different topic areas, as specified in the Statement of Work (Attachment 1), dated:

• Pre-Prototype Development

• Prototype Testing

• Component Innovation

• System Optimization

• Certification Testing (<200m2 rotor swept area (RSA))

• Type Certification (>200m2 RSA)

• Manufacturing Process Innovation mailto:Kyndall.Jackson@nrel.gov

Proposal submissions should address individual topic areas. Offerors may submit multiple proposals for multiple topic areas. Do not submit hybrid proposals that combine topic areas.

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.

The anticipated period of performance is execution through twenty-one (21) months.

The estimated budget for each topic area per award from NREL is as follows:

• Pre-Prototype Development – Maximum $200,000.00

• Prototype Testing – Maximum $250,000.00

• Component Innovations – Maximum $400,000.00

• System Optimization – Maximum $400,000.00

• Certification Testing (<200m2 RSA) – Maximum $170,000.00

• Type Certification (>200m2 RSA) – Maximum $800,000.00

• Manufacturing Process Innovation – Maximum $500,000.00

A minimum price participation of 20% is required for each topic area with the exception of Manufacturing Process Innovation, which has a minimum price participation requirement of 50%. Price participation is defined as a percentage of the total allowable and allocable costs under this subcontract, which may be met by contributions by the Offeror and/or by contributions from the Offeror’s lower-tier Offeror(s) or supplier(s) at no cost to NREL. All costs must be allowable and allocable under the terms of the Federal Acquisition Regulations and DOE Acquisitions Regulations.

Offerors are encouraged to include any materials, supplies, or equipment in their price participation.

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 and DOE based on the best value combination of (a) evaluated qualitative merit, (b) evaluated price (cost) of the offers submitted, and (c) additional factors for evaluation provided in section 9 of this document.

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 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) for each topic area in this Request for Proposal (RFP) serves as NREL’s baseline requirement that must be met by each offeror.

The qualitative merit criteria establish what NREL considers the technical factors value is 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 for each topic area will be used to determine the technical value of the offer in meeting the objectives of the solicitation.

6.1 Pre-Prototype Development

Each qualitative merit criteria and its assigned weight are provided below.

6.1.1 Technical Approach, Readiness, and Competitive Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) (50%)

a. Detailed description of turbine system, including turbine features (Attachment 5)

b. Description of company’s or principal’s recent and relevant experience in the U.S.

distributed wind turbine market

c. Justification of the value-added difference from existing products or concepts

d. Claims for improved performance or efficiency compared to existing products that are well supported by evidence (such as tests) or physics-based analysis.

e. Claims for estimated production life cycle cost are well supported by a cost breakout and either quotes or reference to published costs for the manufacturing methods planned

f. Detailed description of turbine system development including analysis and any testing done to date

g. Description of the work done to develop preliminary loads used as a basis for the preliminary design to demonstrate the likelihood of successful certification of the final product. If a validated model was used, such as the NREL Fatigue, Aerodynamics, Structures, and Turbulence (FAST) code, this will be considered sufficient; however, if a new, novel or proprietary model or approach was used, information must be included on the basis for the approach and the level of certainty.

h. Detailed description of challenges and uncertainties remaining before development of a prototype will be ready for testing (while prototype testing is not part of this offering, the end result should be a product that is ready or nearly ready for prototype testing)

i. Completed Figure of Merit – Cost of Energy (costs should be based on expected production at volume and at this stage will be estimates, use the column marked Baseline in the spreadsheet)

j. Provide detailed description of the innovations compared to existing products that will contribute to a reduced LCOE

6.1.2 Development Plan (25%)

a. Development plan with details of technical challenges, time line and expected accomplishments

b. Market development plan with details of business development challenges, time line and expected steps demonstrating a full understanding of the process to develop an operating business in the U.S. market around the new turbine or component

c. Percent of U.S. based manufacturing for the final turbine system (or component) including turbine, tower and associated electronics

d. Detailed list of the technical support and testing that will be required

e. Discussion of the path to certification planned, specifically the loads development approach that can be used for certification (while certification is not part of this offering the end product should ultimately have a path to certification)

6.1.3 Team/personnel/expertise (25%)

a. Qualifications of proposed project team members shall be described in relation to their responsibilities on the project, including resumes of key team members. Demonstrate that all required expertise is available whether direct employees or consultants. If no one on the team has wind design experience, provide background on experience or expertise that qualifies them for the proposed effort. Resumes of all project team members should be included as attachments to the proposal and will not apply to the proposal page count limitation.

b. Demonstrate ability to execute previous projects (preferably turbine or product development projects) on time/on budget. Provide reference information on previous project experience, including letters if available.

6.2 Prototype Testing

6.2.1 Technical Approach and Readiness (35%)

a. Detailed description of turbine system, including turbine features (Attachment 5)

b. Detailed description of turbine system development and any testing done to date

c. Detailed description of work remaining to have prototype ready to begin testing

d. Preliminary loads table consistent with the standards requirement

e. Completed Figure of Merit – Cost of Energy (baseline costs only are needed)

6.2.2 Description of Proposed Test Plan (25%)

a. Detailed description of where prototype test will occur

b. Test plan and supporting documentation of what tests are being conducted and why

6.2.3 Extent to which the turbine system will impact the U.S. market (15%)

a. Description of company’s or principal’s recent and relevant experience in the U.S.

distributed wind turbine market

b. Soundness of the development plan to ensure the turbine is likely to undergo certification for the U.S. market

c. Percent of U.S. based manufacturing for the final turbine system (including turbine, tower, and associated electronics)

d. Estimated U.S. installations in the first year after certification

e. Technical and financial capability of sustaining the project’s objective over the full performance period

f. Documentation verifying company’s financial status.

6.2.4 Team/personnel/expertise (25%)

a. Qualifications of proposed project team members shall be described in relation to their responsibilities on the project, including resumes of key team members. Demonstrate that all required expertise is available whether direct employees or consultants. If no one on the team has wind certification experience, provide background on experience or expertise that qualifies them for the proposed effort. Resumes of all project team members should be included as attachments to the proposal and will not apply to the proposal page count limitation.

b. Demonstrate ability to execute previous projects on time/on budget. Provide reference information on previous project experience, including letters if available.

6.3 Component Innovation

6.3.1 Demonstrates evidence that the proposed innovation(s) are technically feasible, commercially attainable, and consistent with certification of the turbine (25%)

a. Turbine specifications (see Attachment 5)

b. Description of proposed improvement, expanded application, identifying enhancements or advancement

c. Description of work done to date in preparation for proposed innovation

d. Description of expected outcome of innovation, including metrics proposed for evaluating turbine system before and after the innovations are implemented

e. Description of company’s QC/QA protocols for design and manufacturing

f. Preference will be given to proposals that incorporate comprehensive strategies of modeling and analysis, such as aeroelastic simulations and finite element analysis.

6.3.2 Demonstrates evidence that investment in innovation will contribute to a reduction in the levelized cost of energy (25%)

a. Quantification of component(s) innovation contribution to cost reduction from initial system cost

b. Quantification of component(s) innovation to increased Annual Energy Production (AEP), including documentation of calculation approach

c. Quantification of component(s) improvement contribution to cost reduction over the life of the system

d. For projects focused on new market applications, methodology and quantification of innovation compared to existing options

e. Analysis of component(s) innovation contribution to market impact

f. Component(s) innovation has clear technical merit.

6.3.3 Submit outline of a product development plan that will lead to successful market introduction and certification, or maintain existing certification, of the turbine for the U.S. market (20%)

a. Soundness of product development plan to ensure turbine can be certified for the U.S.

market, including a description of sufficient resources for product testing and service

b. Product development budget and schedule

c. Letters of commitment

d. Description of expected direct impact to the U.S. market resulting from a successful completion of this work through impacts such as expanded domestic manufacturing, product deployment, and job creation.

6.3.4 Team/personnel/expertise (30%)

responsibilities of the project. Any outside expertise that is needed to provide capabilities for the project shall be noted and the source for that capability identified. Resumes of all project team members should be included as attachments to the proposal and will not apply to the proposal page count limitation.

6.4 System Optimization

6.4.1 Demonstrates evidence that the proposed system innovations are technically feasible, commercially attainable, and consistent with certification of the turbine (25%)

a. Turbine specifications (see Attachment 5)

b. Description of proposed system improvement, identifying enhancements or advancement

c. Description of work done to date in preparation for proposed improvement

d. Description of expected outcome of system optimization, including metrics proposed for evaluating turbine system before and after the innovations are implemented

e. Description of company’s Quality Control/Quality Assurance protocols for design and manufacturing

f. Preference will be given to proposals that incorporate comprehensive strategies of modeling and analysis, such as aeroelastic simulations and finite element analysis.

6.4.2 Demonstrates evidence that investment in innovation will contribute to a reduction in the LCOE (25%)

a. Quantification of system innovations contribution to cost reduction from initial system cost

b. Quantification of system innovations contribution to increased Annual Energy Production (AEP), including documentation of calculation approach

c. For projects focused on new market applications, methodology and quantification of system improvement to existing options

d. Analysis of system improvement contribution to market impact

e. System improvements has clear technical merit.

6.4.3 Submit outline of a product development plan that will lead to successful market introduction and certification, or maintain existing certification, of the turbine for the U.S. market (20%)

a. Soundness of product development plan to ensure turbine can be certified for the U.S.

market, including a description of sufficient resources for product testing and service

b. Product upgrade development budget and schedule

c. Letters of commitment

d. Description of expected direct impact to the U.S. market resulting from a successful

6.4.4 Team/personnel/expertise (30%)

responsibilities of the project. Any outside expertise that is needed to provide capabilities for the project shall be noted and the source for that capability identified. Resumes of all project team members should be included as attachments to the proposal and will not apply to the proposal page count limitation.

6.5 Certification Testing (<200m2 RSA)

6.5.1 Demonstrates that the turbine system is likely to comprise a significant share of the distributed wind turbine market and the company can provide the associated installation and long-term maintenance support (25%)

a. Projected Annual Energy Production with 5.5 m/s average wind speed at 30 meters and a

Rayleigh distribution. (other hub heights can be used with adjusted wind speed)

b. Turbine system cost (including turbine, tower, and associated electronics)

c. Tabulated power curve (provide source of power curve, measured or calculated and if calculated the approach used to calculate it)

d. Current (2020) and expected annual U.S. manufacturing capacity

e. Turbine features, including turbine rotor swept area (see Attachment 5)

f. Turbine system design lifetime

g. Operations and maintenance requirements

h. Operations and maintenance costs

i. Warranty, including coverage length and content (parts/labor/travel/exclusions)

j. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listing of the inverter and other components or plans to obtain listing

k. Sales history, especially in the past year (companies with no sales history are still eligible)

l. Number of turbine systems currently installed (domestically and internationally)

m. Tower options (provide list)

n. Number of U.S. dealers with wind turbine installations

o. Existing/pending International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) certifications (eligibility includes both currently certified as well as non-certified turbine systems)

p. Capabilities to provide support through the life of the turbine system, including warranty reserve.

q. Completed Figure of Merit – Cost of Energy (baseline costs only are needed)

6.5.2 Extent to which the turbine system will impact the U.S. market (20%)

a. Description of company’s or principal’s recent and relevant experience in the U.S.

distributed wind turbine market

b. Soundness of the production plan to ensure the turbine is ready for the U.S. market

c. Percent of U.S. based manufacturing for the final turbine system (including turbine, tower, and associated electronics)

d. Estimated U.S. installations in the first year after certification

e. Estimated number of exported units in the first year after certification

f. Technical and financial capability of sustaining the project’s objective over the full performance period

g. Documentation verifying company’s financial status.

6.5.3 Demonstrates evidence that the wind generator is ready for certification and that the company has a sound plan that will lead to certification of the turbine for the U.S.

market (30%)

a. Evidence that the turbine is ready for certification testing such as a history of deployment or preferably prototype testing that demonstrates reliable operation and functional testing of the safety systems. Modest upgrades to a certified turbine that are sufficient to require a new certification is also evidence of readiness when combined with sufficient engineering preparation.

b. Summary of prototype testing conducted on turbine (as attachment that is not included in the page count)

c. Ability to deliver test turbine system to test site within sixty (60) days of subcontract execution (indicate in proposal if more time is needed and why)

d. Evidence that the turbine testing can be completed at the testing facility within eighteen

(21) months. This evidence shall include site wind speed histogram and an evaluation of the need for site calibration if the site is not certified for testing.

e. Verification that the turbine is in the queue for certification by an accredited Certification and Verification Agency (CVA) along with a list of required documents per the CVA protocol.

f. Provide turbine certification plan, including budget and schedule. Confirm that the company has standards documents and understands the requirements for obtaining certification (see Attachment 3 – Eligibility Verification). Certification plan must include intended approach for loads development and identification of loads and materials safety factors that will be used.

g. Provide a preliminary loads report consistent with what is required for the certification sought. Document must include a synopsis of derivation approach. Preliminary load approach can be different than approach planned for final certification loads. For instance, the simplified loads method may be used for this even though aeroelastic modeling may be used in the final submission for certification.

6.5.4 Team/personnel/expertise (25%)

responsibilities on the project, including resumes of key team members. Demonstrate that all required expertise is available whether direct employees or consultants. If no one on the team has wind certification experience, provide background on experience or expertise that qualifies them for the proposed effort. Resumes of all project team members should be included as attachments to the proposal and will not apply to the proposal page count limitation.

6.6 Type Certification (>200m2 RSA)

6.6.1 Demonstrates that the turbine system is likely to comprise a significant share of the distributed wind turbine market and the company can provide the associated installation and long-term maintenance support (25%)

a. Projected Annual Energy Production with 5.5 m/s average wind speed at 30 meters and a Rayleigh distribution. (other hub heights can be used with adjusted wind speed)

b. Turbine system cost (including turbine, tower, and associated electronics)

c. Tabulated power curve (provide source of power curve, measured or calculated and if calculated the approach used to calculate it)

d. Current and expected annual U.S. manufacturing capacity

e. Turbine features, including turbine rotor swept area (see Attachment 5)

f. Turbine system design lifetime

g. Operations and maintenance requirements

h. Operations and maintenance costs

i. Warranty, including coverage length and content (parts/labor/travel/exclusions)

j. UL listing of the inverter and other components or plans to obtain listing

k. Sales history, especially in the past year (companies with no sales history are still eligible)

l. Number of turbine systems currently installed (domestically and internationally)

m. Tower options (provide list)

n. Number of U.S. dealers/installers

o. Existing/pending IEC certifications (eligibility includes both currently certified as well as non-certified turbine systems)

p. Capabilities to provide support through the life of the turbine system, including warranty reserve.

q. Completed Figure of Merit – Cost of Energy (baseline costs only are needed)

6.6.2 Extent to which the turbine system will impact the U.S. market (20%)

a. Description of company’s or principal’s recent and relevant experience in the U.S.

distributed wind turbine market

b. Soundness of the production plan to ensure the turbine is ready for the U.S. market

c. Percent of U.S. based manufacturing for the final turbine system (including turbine, tower, and associated electronics)

d. Estimated U.S. installations in the first year after certification

e. Estimated number of exported units in the first year after certification

f. Technical and financial capability of sustaining the project’s objective over the full performance period

g. Documentation verifying company’s financial status.

6.6.3 Demonstrates evidence that the wind generator is ready for certification and that the company has a sound plan that will lead to certification of the turbine for the U.S.

market (30%)

a. Evidence that the turbine is ready for type certification testing such as a history of deployment or preferably prototype testing that demonstrates reliable operation and functional testing of the safety systems. Modest upgrades to a certified established reliable turbine that is sufficient to require a new certification is also evidence of readiness when combined with sufficient engineering preparation.

b. Summary of prototype testing conducted on turbine (as attachment that is not included in the page count)

c. Ability to deliver test turbine system to test site within sixty (60) days of contract execution

d. Evidence that the turbine testing can be completed at the testing facility within eighteen

(18) months. This evidence shall include site wind speed histogram and an evaluation of the need for site calibration if the site is not certified for testing.

e. Verification that the turbine is in the queue for certification by an accredited Certification and Verification Agency (CVA) along with a list of required documents per the CVA protocol.

f. Provide turbine certification plan, including budget and schedule. Confirm that the company has standards documents and understands the requirements for obtaining certification (see Attachment 3 – Eligibility Verification).

g. Provide a preliminary loads report. Document must include a synopsis of derivation approach. Preliminary load approach can be different than approach planned for final certification loads.

6.6.4 Team/personnel/expertise (25%)

responsibilities on the project, including resumes of key team members. Demonstrate that all required expertise is available whether direct employees or consultants. If no one on the team has wind certification experience, provide background on experience or expertise that qualifies team member as prepared to successfully conduct proposed work. Resumes of all project team members should be included as attachments to the proposal and will not apply to the proposal page count limitation.

6.7 Manufacturing Process Innovation

6.7.1 Demonstrates evidence that the proposed manufacturing process innovation is beneficial to the successful improvement in market position or entry into market and consistent with certification of the turbine (25%)

a. Turbine specifications (see Attachment 5)

b. Description of proposed manufacturing process innovation, identifying technical enhancement or advancement

c. Analysis of process upgrade contribution to increased turbine system sales. Provide a market benchmark analysis comparing the relative impact of the improvement to potential competition (competition may not necessarily be wind energy)

d. Description of work done to date in preparation for proposed upgrade including that the component will meet strength requirements if the component is structural

e. Description of company’s manufacturing quality control protocols

f. Estimated U.S. installations in the first year after new manufacturing process implementation

g. Estimated number of exported units in the first year after new manufacturing process implementation

6.7.2 Demonstrates evidence investment in process innovation will contribute to a reduction in the LCOE (30%)

a. Quantification of the process upgrade contribution to cost reduction for initial system cost

b. Quantification of the process upgrade contribution to cost reduction over the life of the system

c. Innovation has clear technical merit

6.7.3 Demonstrates evidence of a sound product development and manufacturing plan that is consistent with certification, or maintains certification, of the turbine for the U.S.

market (20%)

a. Soundness of product development plan to ensure turbine can be certified for the U.S.

market, including a description of sufficient resources for product testing and service

b. Soundness of the manufacturing plan to provide confidence that the Offeror or their contract manufacturer has capability to produce the component(s) at the quality and cost proposed

c. Documentation of tooling or manufacturing capability development cost

e. Description of expected direct impact to the U.S. market resulting from a successful

6.7.4 Team/personnel/expertise (25%)

responsibilities on the project. Demonstrate that all required expertise is available whether direct employees or consultants. Resumes of all project team members should be included as attachments to the proposal and will not apply to the proposal page count limitation.

7. Price (cost) evaluation for Best Value Selection

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).

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 (Attachment 1) and the qualitative merit criteria listed above. Based on this evaluation, 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. Additional factors for evaluation

The Source Evaluation Team will consider program factors in making a final negotiation rank order within the competitive range. The program factors will not be weighted. Program factors include:

• Manufacturer diversity

• Geographic diversity

• System configuration diversity

• CIP topic diversity

• Turbine size diversity

• Turbine type diversity

• Subcontractor’s price participation >20%

• Detailed plan for proposed technical support from NREL

10. Proposal preparation information

Proposal submissions should address individual topic areas. Offerors may submit multiple proposals for multiple topic areas. Do not submit hybrid proposals that combine topic areas.

a. The proposal must include a title page, including the RFP title and number, topic area being proposed on, name of your organization and principal investigator (with postal address, telephone number and email address). The title should be succinct and capture the essence of your offer.

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.

- Technical proposal and cost proposal must be in separate sections.

An electronic PDF file must be submitted by 2:00 p.m. MST on 3/31/2020 to Kyndall.Jackson@nrel.gov. The submission must include SUB-2020-10121, the project title “2020 Distributed Wind Turbine Competitiveness Improvement Project” and the specific topic area in the subject line (For example: “SUB-2020-10121 - 2020 Distributed Wind Turbine Competitiveness Improvement Project - Type Certification (>200m2)” for a proposal to the type certification topical area). If submitting for multiple topic areas, please submit one email submission for each topic area.

c. A technical proposal shall be submitted directed toward meeting the requirements of NREL’s Statement of Work (Attachment 1) and qualitative merit criteria (see item 6 above).

The total proposal shall not exceed twenty (20) pages (not including resumes of team members, prototype testing history, title page, or table of contents). Internet references to URL’s should be included in their entirety. Hyperlinks may not be reviewed. Provide all necessary information directly in the proposal.

mailto:Kyndall.Jackson@nrel.gov

Proposals submitted for technology innovation topical areas including Pre-Prototype Development, Component Innovation, System Optimization and Manufacturing Process Innovation shall be organized in the following sections: Technical Concept and Innovation, Product Development Plan, Cost Benefits and Qualifications and Resources.

A Product Development Plan shall include, but not be limited to, the following items.

• Product requirements

• Engineering effort

• Prototype development

• Testing effort

• Tooling development

• Manufacturing plan

• Certification plan

Proposals submitted for certification testing, including Certification Testing (<200m2 RSA) and Type Certification (>200m2 RSA), shall be organized in the following sections:

Turbine System Specifications and Market Information, Certification Plan, and Qualifications and Resources. The technical report shall include a description of the data collected and work conducted towards the loads assessment. Only one (1) turbine shall be considered per proposal. Proposals containing more than one (1) turbine shall be deemed non-responsive and will not be reviewed. Proposals that address certification for slightly different models of the same turbine, such as different rotors options on the same turbine, will be considered with apocopate justification. Offerors may use certification quotes that include testing and certification for multiple turbines or certifications not covered in the proposal as long as the work covered in the proposal is separately itemized and the cost proposal only includes costs for work allowed in the RFP and SOW. Testing efforts should be conducted in the U.S. or U.S. Territories. If this is not possible, the specific testing location should be provided and justified in the application.

Proposals submitted for Prototype Testing shall be organized in the following sections:

Turbine System Description, Testing Plan, and Qualifications and Resources. Testing efforts should be conducted in the U.S. or U.S. Territories. If this is not possible, the specific testing location should be provided and justified in the application.

d. A completed “Price/Cost Proposal” form shall be submitted with the offer (see NREL website above). An individual offeror’s price (cost) proposal standard format can be used if the data included are substantially the same as the NREL form. The offeror’s price (cost) and delivery terms must be valid for 90 days from the date of the offer. The price (cost) proposal should include support documentation for all categories of the proposed price (cost). The price (cost) proposal should separate price (cost) for lower-tier subcontractor(s) and include support documentation for all categories of the proposed lower-tier subcontractor(s) price (cost).

e. Proposals that include partnering with specific components vendors shall be considered, consistent with the evaluation criteria. If a proposal includes improving a generic part not related to a specific turbine (i.e. tower, inverter, blade etc.), the proposal shall still include a specific turbine, and ideally the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of that turbine, to demonstrate the improvement on a system level as opposed to a component level. An exception is if more than one turbine OEM creates a project for development of a component or manufacturing process that will result in either a common component or process or similar components using the innovation developed.

f. Awardees from the previous CIP solicitations are eligible to submit proposals under the current solicitation. These awardees are invited to submit a proposal to build upon the existing work or may submit a proposal for an eligible non-related work effort. Preferential considerations will not be given to previous awardees; all proposals will be evaluated against the merit criteria.

g. Proposals should include a completed Eligibility Verification (Attachment 3).

h. Proposals should include Figure of Merit – Cost of Energy for Distributed Wind (includes supplemental spreadsheet) (Attachment 4).

i. Proposals should include Turbine Specifications (Attachment 5)

j. Proposals should include a completed Deliverable Summary Table (Attachment 6).

k. A completed “Representations and Certifications for Subcontracts/Purchase Orders” form (see NREL website above).

l. Proposals should include EITHER the “Organizational Conflicts of Interest Representation Statement” OR the “Organizational Conflicts of Interest Disclosure Statement” (see NREL website above), as applicable.

m. A cover letter including a summary statement indicating acceptance of the proposed

Statement of Work (Attachment 1) or any change with the reason(s) shall be included with the proposal. The cover letter should also include whether the Offeror is accepting or proposes a change/exception (with reason) to the subcontract schedule, the standard terms and conditions and/or the intellectual property terms and conditions in the appendices (see section 12). The offeror will explain any proposed change/exception with respect to the 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/exceptions 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.

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

o. Only new work shall be considered within this proposal; previous work completed prior to the issuance of a subcontract shall not be considered for funding under this solicitation.

p. NREL may provide awardees with technical assistance. The Offeror shall clearly define what, if any, technical support is being requested from NREL. Technical support from NREL can only be provided contingent on how the request aligns with the program’s funding availability therefore the requested technical support shall be negotiated outside the subcontract award and is not part of the overall subcontract value.

q. Proposals submitted as a combination/hybrid of more than one (1) topic area under the CIP will be determined as non-responsive. Submissions for multiple topic areas are allowed but must be separate from each other.

r. It is the intent that all work under this award funded by NREL will occur in the U.S. or U.S.

Territories. Work to be conducted outside the U.S. shall be identified and justified as part of this proposal.

11. 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.

Offers may be withdrawn in person by an offeror or an authorized representative, if the representative’s identity is made known and the representative signs a receipt for the offer before award.

b. Restrictions on disclosure and use of data

Offerors who include in their proposals 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—

1. Mark the title page with the following legend:

“This offer includes 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 this data, the government or NREL shall have the right to duplicate, use, or disclose the data to the extent provided in the resulting subcontract. This restriction does not limit the government or NREL’s right to use information contained in this data if obtained from another source without restriction.

The data subject to this restriction are contained on pages [insert page and line numbers or other identification of pages] of this offer”; and

2. Mark each page of data it wishes to restrict with the following legend:

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

c. Notice of right to receive patent waiver (derived from DEAR 952.227-84) and technical data requirements.

Offerors (and their prospective lower-tier subcontractors) in accordance with applicable statutes and Department of Energy Acquisition Regulations, (derived from DEAR 952.227-

84) have the right to request a waiver of all or any part of the rights of the United States in inventions conceived or first actually reduced to practice in performance of the subcontract that may be awarded as a result of this solicitation, in advance of or within thirty (30) days after the effective date of subcontracting. Even where such advance waiver is not requested or the request is denied, the subcontractor will have a continuing right during the subcontract to request a waiver of the rights of the United States in identified, individual inventions.

Domestic small business firms, educational institutions, and domestic nonprofit organizations normally will receive the clause: Patent Rights - Retention by the Subcontractor, which permits the offeror to retain title to subject inventions, except in subcontracts involving exceptional circumstances or intelligence activities. Therefore, domestic small business firms, educational institutions, and domestic nonprofit organizations normally need not request a waiver.

If an offeror’s proposal includes a lower-tier subcontract to another organization, that lower-tier organization's business type will determine the applicable intellectual property provisions that will apply to the lower-tier subcontract. Note that a lower-tier subcontractor may apply for a patent waiver under the same conditions as the offeror.

Under a research, development, and demonstration project, the Department of Energy and NREL are unable to ascertain, prior to receipt of offers or performance of the project, their actual needs for technical data. It is believed that the requirements contained herein are the basic needs of the Department of Energy and NREL. However, if the offeror indicates in its proposal that proprietary data will be used or withheld under its proposed effort, the Department of Energy and NREL reserve the right to negotiate appropriate rights to the proprietary data. The appropriate rights may include "Limited Rights in Proprietary Data" and/or "Subcontractor Licensing."

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.

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 Mark Barela, Advocate for Commercial Practices, at (303) 384-7559. NREL will address each concern received from an offeror on an individual basis.

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 the NREL general access websites:

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

If requested, the NREL RFP Contact (see item 2) will make full text available upon request.

▪ NREL Standard Terms and Conditions:

- Appendix B-2 dated 12/15/16

▪ NREL Intellectual Property Provisions:

- Appendix C-1 dated 03/26/12; or

- Appendix C-2 dated 03/26/12; as applicable

▪ NREL Representations and Certifications for Subcontracts/Purchase Orders

▪ NREL Price/Cost Proposal Form and Instructions

▪ NREL Conflicts of Interest Forms

13. Summary of Attachments

Attachment 1 – Statement of Work, dated 02/27/20

Attachment 2 – Sample Subcontract Schedule: Firm Fixed Price with Price Participation Attachment 3 – Eligibility Verification, dated 1/25/19 Attachment 4 – Figure of Merit – Cost of Energy (Distributed Wind Generation) dated 3/9/17

(includes supplemental spreadsheet) Attachment 5 – Turbine Specifications dated 3/8/17 Attachment 6 – Sample Deliverable Schedule

14. NAICS Code and Small Business Size Standard

a. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) for this solicitation is 541990.

b. The small business size standard for 541990 – All other Professional, Scientific and Technical Services is $15,000,000.00 in annual receipts. (Annual receipts of a concern means the annual average gross revenue for the last three fiscal years.)

15. 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.