RFP 149159.pdf

Affidavits over 200K; V.1 Revised 11-29-16 1

University of Maryland College Park

Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 149159

For Verified Carbon offsets and Other Environmental

Attributes Certificates

Issue Date: Monday, April 29, 2024 Pre-Proposal Conference: Friday, May 3, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. via Zoom meeting Deadline for Questions: Friday, May 17, 2024 at 3:00 P.M.

Proposal Due Date: Wednesday, June 4, 2024 at 3:00 P.M.

WARNING: Contractors who have received this document from a source other than eMaryland Marketplace Advantage should visit the State’s eMaryland Marketplace (EMMA) website and register as a Vendor. The University uses this web site to post solicitation and all solicitation amendments. The University does not maintain a Proposers/Bidders list.

Consultants are cautioned not to make changes to any of the terms and conditions in this solicitation. Doing so may render a Contractor’s proposal unacceptable and subject to rejection. Questions and comments may be addressed to the point of contact identified in Section A-1, Item 9 of this document.

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND RFP#149159

VERIFIED CARBON OFFSETS AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL ATTRIBUTE

CERTIFICATES

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 1

Introduction Background Information

SECTION 2

Instructions and Notices to Contractors

2.1 Issuing Office

2.2 Pre-Proposal Conference

2.3 Questions

2.4 Amendments to the RFP

2.5 Submission of Proposals

2.6 Due Date and Time

2.7 Treatment of Late Proposals

2.8 Durations of Proposal Offer

2.9 Alternate Proposals

2.10 Economy of Preparation

2.11 Unable to Propose

2.12 Public Information Act Notice

2.13 Two Volume Proposal

2.14 Cancellation of the RFP

2.15 Evidence of Responsibility and Responsiveness

2.16 Oral Presentations

2.17 Solicitation, Proposal, Acceptance, Award and Discussions

2.18 Formation of Agreement/Contract with Successful Contractor

2.19 Notice to Offerors

2.20 Debriefing of Unsuccessful Proposers

2.21 Contract Implementation Meeting

Section 3 Bidder Qualifications

3.1 Evaluation Method

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SECTION 1

Introduction and Background Information

On April 22, 2021, University President Darryll Pines announced that UMD will achieve net zero carbon emissions and will be fully carbon neutral beginning in 2025. UMD became a charter signatory of the President’s Carbon Commitment then called the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment in 2007 and published its first Climate Action Plan (CAP) in 2009. The second Climate Action Plan –CAP 2.0 – was published online in 2017 and clarified the university’s strategies for meeting upcoming climate action targets. UMD has drafted an updated Climate Action Plan-CAP that will be published soon and will continue updating its Climate Action Plan every few years.

The Department of Environmental Safety, Sustainability & Risk and the Department of Engineering & Energy are responsible for sourcing verified carbon credits (offsets) and other environmental attributes for the University as it approaches its 2025 carbon neutrality goal. UMD remains committed to achieving the most greenhouse gases (GHG) reductions reasonably possible on campus by 2025 and beyond but recognizes that to achieve the net-zero carbon emissions goal, strategic investments in high quality offsets and other environmental attributes will be necessary for the near future.

The contract term shall commence on the date the contract is signed on behalf of the University or such later date as the University directs. The contract term shall terminate three (3) years after the beginning date unless extended or sooner terminated in accordance with the contract. At the sole option of the University, the contract may be renewed for up to two (2) additional one (1) year separately exercisable year terms under the same terms and conditions, with prices accepted by the University of Maryland. The University reserves the right to extend pricing other University System of Maryland campuses.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Overview:

OBJECTIVES

1. The primary goal of this RFP is to acquire legitimate, additional verified carbon

(offset) credits from the voluntary carbon market. The university currently plans to source approximately 180,000 offset credits per year through this RFP, based on current needs, though the demand for credits may fluctuate over time. A secondary goal of this RFP is to source Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) and Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) to allow the University to meet goals established under Maryland’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), along with Green-e voluntary renewable energy certificates. A tertiary goal of this RFP is to source other environmental attributes certificates including Renewable Thermal Credits (RTCs) Renewable fuel Certificates (RFC’s, RINs and emerging products as needed.

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Though to date UMD has offset mainly undergraduate student commuter and UMD sponsored air travel impacts, the University is now seeking to expand this offset program to include all direct traditionally offset only undergraduate student commuter and UMD sponsored air travel impacts, the University is now seeking to expand this offset program to include all direct (Scope 1) emissions associated with the University’s operations, as well as some indirect emissions. The University has power purchase agreements for renewable energy and also purchased unbundled RECs for all electric power from the grid (Scope 2 emissions). UMD is currently exploring opportunities that could result in the generation of potential carbon credits. If these projects result in the development of carbon credits or other environmental attributes in excess of UMD’s current and future needs, UMD may see support by the offeror to market those credits and/or attributes to external entities.

CONTRACTING APPROACH & WORK SCOPE

The University reserves the right to make more than one award. Selection of an Offeror’s proposal does not guarantee issuance of a contract to provide a specific quantity of carbon credits or other environmental attributes / instruments. The University may make multiple awards to bolster capabilities to offset a portion of its greenhouse gas emissions in various calendar years.

SCOPE OF WORK

4.0 Registries – Applicants must offer voluntary greenhouse mitigation credits that have been issued and third-party verified under at least one of the following independent carbon registries:

• American Carbon Registry (ACR)

• VERRA’s Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), including Jurisdictional

& Nested REDD+projects

• Climate Action Reserve (CAR)

• Gold Standard

• CSA Group

• Plan Vivo

• Other emerging registries will be considered and agreed upon with evidence of effectiveness, additionality and approval by reputable industry leaders

4.1. Credit type – Credits must be voluntary, meet the standard of additionality and operate outside of any regulatory or compliance market.

4.2. Credit vintage – Only credits with a vintage of 2020 and newer are acceptable under this procurement.

4.3. Credit / project type – Credits may be associated with the following types of projects or sectoral scopes, as defined by VERRA’s VCS, or their analogous sectors or types under other eligible independent carbon registries:

• Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (AFOLU)

• Fugitive emissions control from fuels

• Destruction of Hydroflurocarbons

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• Livestock and manure management

• Mining / mineral management

• Renewable energy

• Waste management and disposal

• Biochar

• Blue carbon

• Macroalgae cultivation

• Direct air carbon capture and/or destruction

• Geologic carbon sequestration

• Regenerative agriculture

• Cookstove projects that meet University of California Guidelines

• Other registry approved projects

4.4. RECs and SRECs – The Offeror may elect to broker both RECs and SRECs, which are currently used to help the University meet requirements of Maryland’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS).

The Offeror must describe their past experience, including the volume of instruments / attributes traded in the compliance market.

The University anticipates the need for volumes of RECs in the range of 75,000 – 100,000 units for Tier I and 15,000 – 20,000 units for Tier II. The anticipated volume for SRECs is in the range of 15,000 – 20,000 units.

4.5. Green-e Voluntary Renewable Energy Offsets – The Offeror may elect to broker Green-e offsets. The Offeror must describe their past experience in this space, including the volume of instruments / attributes traded in the voluntary market. The University anticipates the need for approximately 250,000 Green-e offsets.

4.6. Accounting – All claims to carbon credits must be clear and fully transparent and credits must be demonstrably free from any encumbrances or duplicate claims. All credits must meet or exceed the minimum additionality test, per the applicable registry under which the credit was developed. Avoided conversion projects must demonstrate that they are combatting a real threat of potential conversion.

4.7. Contracting instrument – Acceptable credits can be purchased through long-term forward emissions reductions payment agreements (ERPAs) or ERPAs with advanced deposit.

4.8. Project geographic location – Any registered and verified projects worldwide are acceptable, however, preference will be given to projects that are located within the United States. Additionally, preference will be given to projects based on their location to the University (local, Maryland, mid-Atlantic, or U.S. east coast.).

4.9. Compliance – The projects and the associated carbon credits or other environmental instruments / attributes must be generated, issued, and accounted for such that they are aligned with all applicable and relevant governmental or industry-accepted

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4.10. Disclosure – Offerors must factually acknowledge in their proposal any press reports, third-party complaints, litigation (current or pending), investigations, legal action, or audit findings associated with an underlying project that could reasonably be expected to bring negative attention to the project or impact the reputation of the University.

4.11. Academic / research participation – Offerors should demonstrate how they intend to create opportunities for academic / research participation. Sustainability is required to be incorporated into the curriculum of classes offered at the University. The Offeror should delineate opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to engage with the verified carbon credit process. This may involve educational opportunities, as well as the development of dashboards or other outreach tools to engage the campus community in the University’s mission of achieving net-zero carbon emissions.

4.1.3. The following performance requirements are incorporated herein:

1. Price quotes will be requested when UMD wishes to purchase a block of credits. Prices quoted shall remain in effect from the specific projects included in contractor’s proposed portfolios for at least 30 days and preferably 60 days (shorter time can be negotiated in writing with

UMD)

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Instructions and Notices to Contractors

2.1 Issuing Office

The sole point of contact at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP), for purposes of this Request for Proposal (RFP), is the Issuing Office. The Issuing Office as identified on the Solicitation/Contract Form provided as Exhibit 1 is:

The University of Maryland Department of Procurement & Business Services 4300 Terrapin Trail 2113-R Chesapeake Building College Park, MD 20742

All contact throughout the process is to be made in writing, via email, throughout the RFP process with the exception of information received as a result of a Pre-Proposal Conference. Responses to inquiries will be made in writing and posted at the EMaryland Marketplace Advantage website.

The Point of Contact for the University of Maryland is:

Name Karen Elvidge Title Manager of Construction/

Facilities Procurement Email Address kelvidge@umd.edu

2.2 Virtual Pre-Proposal Conference

A pre-proposal conference will be held on Friday, May 3, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. as noted below:

https://umd.zoom.us/j/7727457483?omn=98108461830

Firms who are attending the pre-proposal conference are to bring written copies of any questions they may have to ask at the conference. Answers to questions will be provided in accordance with Section 2, subsection 2.3 below.

While attendance at the pre-proposal conference is not mandatory, all interested Contractors are encouraged to attend to be able to better prepare acceptable proposals.

https://umd.zoom.us/j/7727457483?omn=98108461830

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2.3 Questions

The Offeror is responsible for carefully reading and fully understanding the requirements, terms, and conditions of this RFP. All contact between Offeror and the University will be made formally at scheduled meetings or in writing through the Issuing Office with the identified Point of Contact.

Requests for clarification or additional information must be submitted in writing, via email, to the Point of Contact and received by the Issuing Office no later than Friday, May 17, 2024 at 3:00 P.M. These requests are to contain the following subject line:

“QUESTIONS: RFP #149159”. Outside of the Pre-bid meeting, only written communica-tions relative to the procurement will be responded to. It is incumbent upon the Contractor to verify University receipt of their questions.

All questions will be answered in writing on as soon as possible. Questions and answers will be distributed, without identification of the inquirer(s), and posted at the EMaryland Marketplace Advantage website. Oral communications are not to be relied upon for proposal purposes. Any communication received from parties other than the identified Point of Contact are to be considered non-authoritative in nature.

To the extent that a question causes a change to any part of this RFP, an amendment shall be issued addressing such.

2.4 Submission of Proposals

Proposals must be:

(1) submitted in the designated format

(2) made in the official name of the firm or individual under which Contractor's business is conducted (including the official business address),

(3) signed by a person duly authorized to commit Contractor to the proposal, electronic signatures are acceptable

(4) submitted and clearly marked with the assigned RFP number and Contractor name as described below

(5) Indicate Technical volume

(6) addressed to the Procurement Officer identified as the Point of Contact in the Issuing

Office

The Contractor must submit one electronic version of the Technical volume to the following Box folder: https://umd.app.box.com/f/a2971341f5de48749947c8e96717efbb

Only the technical information is required at the time. The volume, which contain the offer to be considered, must be clearly identified as the RFP #149159-Contractor Name, full address and contact information Technical Volume.

NOTE: PROPOSALS SUBMITTED THROUGH MEANS OTHER THAN IDENTIFIED WILL NOT

BE ACCEPTED.

https://umd.app.box.com/f/a2971341f5de48749947c8e96717efbb

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2.5 Proposal Due Date

Proposals must arrive at the location identified in Section 2.4 of this document on or before Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at 3:00 P.M. EST/EDT as applicable, in the designated format.

Depending upon the subject matter of the RFP, Contractors may be required to submit hard copy proposals. In these instances, Contractors are to allow sufficient time for delivery to ensure timely receipt by the Issuing Office.

Proposals, amendments to proposals, or requests for withdrawal of proposals arriving after the closing time and date shall not be considered.

There shall be no public opening of the proposals. The names of Contractors will not be released until after award.

2.6 Late Proposals

Any proposal, request for withdrawal, or modification of a proposal including a Best and Final Offer (BAFO) that is not received at the designated location at the designated due date and time will be considered late and will be rejected as non-acceptable. Delivery of the proposal to the specified location by the prescribed date and time is the sole responsibility of the Contractor. Exceptions may be authorized, at the sole discretion of the Procurement Officer, when the reason for the late proposal, late request for withdrawal, late modification of a proposal or BAFO is due to the action or inaction of the University. A record of the late proposal, request for withdrawal, modification of a proposal or BAFO will be retained in the appropriate procurement file.

2.7 Duration of Proposal Offer

Proposals will be valid for a minimum of 120 days following the closing date of this RFP. If an award is not made during that period, the proposal will automatically extend for another 120 days, unless the Contractor gives specific written notice to the Procurement Officer at least 15 days before the expiration of the then current 120 day period.

Proposals will automatically renew for an additional 120 days until such time as an award is made or proper written notice is given to the University of Contractor's intent to withdraw its proposal. By submission of a proposal, Contractor guarantees that its offer shall be firm for the period specified in this clause.

2.8 Amendments to the RFP

If it becomes necessary to revise any part of this RFP, notice of the revision will be issued in the form of an Amendment to E-Maryland Marketplace Advantage. All Amendments shall become a part of this RFP. Each Contractor is required to acknowledge receipt of Amendments. Failure of a Contractor to acknowledge any Amendment will not relieve the Contractor of responsibility for complying with the content of the Amendment.

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2.9 Alternate Proposals

Alternate proposals shall not be allowed or accepted, nor will they be considered, for this solicitation.

2.10 Economy of Preparation

Each proposal is to be prepared simply and economically, providing a straightforward, concise description of the Contractor's offer and capabilities to satisfy the requirements of this RFP. Emphasis is to be placed on clarity of content and providing a complete response.

2.11 Unable to Propose

If Contractor is unable or unwilling to submit a proposal in response to the requirements, Contractor must indicate this in writing to the Procurement Officer on or before the proposal due date. Electronic mail is an acceptable delivery method for submittal of the Contractor’s inability to submit a proposal. UMD requests that Contractors who are unable to respond include a brief explanation of the rationale for non-submission of a proposal.

2.12 Public Information Act Notice

Contractors are required to specifically identify those portions of their proposals that they deem to contain confidential, proprietary information, or trade secrets. The Contractor is further required to provide specific justification, with respect to each separate portion identified, as to why the materials, upon request, should not be disclosed by the State under the Access to Public Records Act, State Government Article, Title 10, Subtitle 6, Annotated Code of Maryland.

For claims of confidentiality to be considered, Contractors must clearly identify and provide individual justification for each and every section that is claimed to contain confidential, proprietary information or trade secrets. It is not sufficient to preface your proposal with a proprietary statement, or to use a page header or footer that arbitrarily marks some or all pages as confidential. General claims of confidentiality or similar blanket designations will not be accepted and may result in a proposal being deemed non-acceptable, at the discretion of the Procurement Officer.

2.13 Cancellation of the RFP

The University may cancel this RFP, in whole or in part, or reject any or all proposals submitted in response to the RFP when such action is determined to be fiscally advantageous to the University and/or the State or otherwise in the best interest of the University and/or the State.

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2.14 Proposal

The selection procedure for this procurement requires an independent evaluation of the technical proposal. Only those firms that pass the technical evaluation will be proceed to the pricing phase.

2.15 Volume 1-Contractor Qualifications, Technical Requirements/Specifications, Business

Requirements

2.15.1 Executive Management Summary

The Contractor’s response is to contain an Executive/Management Summary. This section of the Contractor’s offer is to contain a brief synopsis of how the Contractor's proposal meets the needs of the University.

2.15.2 Technical Proposal

Contractors are expected to read the specifications, requirements, and qualifications very carefully and to submit questions, in writing, by the due date for questions.

Misinterpretation of specifications, requirements, or qualifications by the Contractor do not relieve the Contractor of responsibility to accurately address these components of this RFP or to perform the contract, if awarded.

The information/items specified as Specifications, Requirements, and/or Qualifications must be addressed in the technical proposal. The proposal must expressly indicate that it satisfies each point of the RFP Requirements, Specifications and/or Qualifications referenced in Section 4. Simple YES or NO responses to stated requirements are insufficient. The Contractor must describe in detail how the proposed services meet or exceed the stated requirements. The Offeror must explain any exception or deviation from the requirements. In cases where the Contractor cannot or does not meet a requirement, this must be clearly stated along with the reason for not meeting the Requirement, Specification, or Qualification.

2.16 Technical Volume Contents-the Technical Volume must contain

2.16.1 Exhibit 1, Solicitation/Contract Form

Contractors must complete Exhibit 1, Section A-1, Solicitation/Contract Form Offer Section as part of the Technical Volume. Failure to submit this document, signed by a person duly authorized to commit Contractor to the proposal may cause the Contractor’s proposal to be rejected, at the sole discretion of the University.

2.16.2 Completed Section 4 Specifications/Requirements documents including

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2.16.2.1 All required information listed as Contractor Data Requirements (Section 4.1) including but not limited to required demographic information, resumes, references, past performance documentation

2.16.2.2 All affidavits, addenda, and disclosures included as Exhibits

2.16.2.3 Additional support documentation, as required

2.16.2.4 Contractor Qualifications, including financial viability documentation

2.16.2.5 Specifications as provided

2.16.2.6 Narrative Specification/Requirements responses, as required

2.16.2.7 The University may make a final determination regarding a proposal’s acceptability solely on the basis of the proposal as submitted. The University is under no obligation to seek clarification for missing information or to repair responses that are deemed to be incomplete

2.17 Financial Volume

This volume will consist of and must contain the offered pricing information in the format required by the University and will only be provided after Technical Evaluation.

2.17.2 Pricing Section

All firms that are technically qualified will advance to the pricing section of the

RFP.

2.17.3 Best and Final Offers

The University reserves the right to request best and final offers (BAFO) following evaluation of technical and pricing proposals. Contractors must submit BAFO pricing information in the format required, on or before the date and time indicated on the BAFO request, and using the means of submission indicated by the Procurement Officer.

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SECTION 3

Evaluation, Award, Contract Formation, Debriefing of Unsuccessful Proposers, Protests and Claims, Contract Implementation Meeting

3.1 Evaluation Method

3.1.1 The University may make one or more award(s). Selection of an Offeror’s proposal does not guarantee issuance of a contract to provide a specific quantity of carbon credits or other environmental attributes/instruments. The University may make multiple awards to bolster capabilities to offset a portion of its greenhouse emissions in various calendar years. In order to be considered technically acceptable, Contractors must meet all technical specifications and business requirements as delineated in this solicitation. Only those firms meeting the technical specifications and business requirements (supplier qualifications, including financial viability) will be considered in the Financial evaluation stage).

3.1.2 Technical Evaluation

3.1.2.1 Evaluation Committees

The Procurement Officer shall establish a technical evaluation committee to review and rate the proposals. The technical evaluation committee shall be composed of other individuals appointed by the Procurement Officer.

3.1.2.2 Acceptability of Proposals

• The Procurement Officer shall determine which contractors have met the basic requirements of the RFP

• Failure to comply with all requirements may disqualify a contractor's proposal

• The Procurement Officer shall have the sole authority to determine whether any deviation from the requirements of this RFP is substantial in nature

• The Procurement Officer may waive or permit to be cured minor irregularities or minor informalities in proposals that are immaterial or inconsequential in nature, whenever it is determined to be in the University’s best interest

• The Procurement Officer may reject in whole or in part any and all proposals if such is in the University’s interest, and may conduct discussions with contractors in any manner deemed necessary to best serve the interests of the University

• The University reserves the right to make an award to more than one contractor or to split an award among contractors

3.1.2.3 Technical Evaluation

• Evaluation of technical proposals will be based on the Qualification

Based Selection (QBS). The University will utilize the Qualifications Based Selection (WBS) approach to select the firm(s) for this project.

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The selection process will follow the guidelines established in USM’s Procurement Policies and Procedures (USM-PP & P – Revised dated July 1, 2016). Under this approach, a Qualification Committee (QC) reviews the Technical Proposals from the firm(s). After review of the technical proposals and interviews (if required), the QC establishes a ranking of the technically acceptable teams. The University requires the right to request clarifying information from any and all Proposers at the time during the evaluation process.

• Only those Contractors meeting the technical specifications and business requirements will be considered for financial evaluation.

• The Technical Evaluation Committee may request site visits for the purpose of evaluating proposals and/or Contractor's responsibility.

The Committee may request additional technical assistance from any source. Industry standard references may be used during the evaluation process.

3.1.2.4 Evaluation Criteria

The additional following minimum technical requirements must be met for the Contractors proposal to be considered technically acceptable

• Requirements - Contractor’s demonstrated understanding of the

University’s Requirements and the nature of work to be performed.

This includes the quality and soundness of the offeror’s approach. (To include Key Personnel Qualifications.

• Qualifications of Personnel- (including key personnel, if applicable) in comparison with the minimum requirements and qualifications articulated in Section 4.

• Past Performance - determined by references, including but not limited to, the quality of product delivered, ability to meet the specifications as defined, offeror’s record for on-time delivery, technical quality, cost control, demonstrated corrective actions, etc. The University may also use its own past performance with a Contractor as a portion of the evaluation for Past Performance.

• References- Contractors must provide references. Cited references must be able to confirm, without reservation, the Contractor's ability to perform as mandated in this solicitation.

• Clarity of Proposal-The Contractors response will be evaluated based on clarity and conciseness of their response with how their proposed solution satisfies each of the criteria specified in Section 4.

• Economic Benefit- Proposals will be evaluated per to assess the benefit(s) to Maryland’s economy specifically offered

• The terms "must" or "shall” and “required” are used throughout this document to indicate mandatory requirements. Contractors must

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3.1.3 Oral Presentations (Optional)

3.1.3.1 At the sole discretion of the Procurement Officer, short-listed Proposers may be invited to provide an oral presentation and product demonstration.

Information provided during this phase will be used to supplement the prior evaluation of the written technical proposal and their capabilities.

Selection will take into account both the written technical proposal and the oral presentation/product demonstrations.

3.1.3.2 The University reserves the right to waive the Oral Presentation/Product Demonstration, in which case the technical evaluation will be based on the written technical proposal submittal alone. Proposers are therefore encouraged to submit the best possible proposal at each opportunity for submittal

3.1.3.3 The due date and time of the oral presentation/product demonstration will be determined by the University upon evaluation completion of Technical Proposals. The actual date will be verified with the applicable Proposers at the time the presentation is requested. Refer to the Solicitation Schedule for tentative dates. Proposers are advised to set these dates aside so as to avoid a conflict

3.1.3.4 The oral presentation will be informal, as the University is not interested in a marketing presentation, rather, it will be a casual and informal format in which to view the Proposers presentations, etc.

3.1.3.5 The purpose and parameters of the Oral Presentation/Product demonstration will be defined by the Procurement Officer at the time of scheduling. This information may be included in Technical requirements in those instances when it is a requirement for short-listed Contractors.

3.1.3.6 The criteria and format of the demonstration will be provided with the written request to conduct an oral presentation.

3.1.4 Financial Evaluation

Only those Contractors meeting the technical specifications and business requirements will be considered in the Financial Volume evaluation.

3.2 Evidence of Responsibility

Prior to the award of a contract pursuant to this RFP, the Procurement Officer may require Contractor to submit such additional information bearing upon Contractor's ability

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3.3 Solicitation, Proposal, Acceptance, Award and Discussion

This RFP creates no obligation on the part of the University to award a contract or to compensate Contractors for proposal preparation expenses. The University reserves the unilateral right to cancel this solicitation at any time and to accept or reject any and all proposals, in whole or in part, received in response to this RFP; the unilateral right to award a contract in whole or in part; to award a contract to one Contractor; and to waive or permit cure of minor irregularities; and to conduct discussions with Contractors in any manner necessary to serve the best interest of the University.

Discussions may be conducted with those Contractors who submit proposals initially judged by the Procurement Officer to be reasonably susceptible of being selected for award. However, the University reserves the right to award a contract based upon the proposals received without further discussions.

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3.3 Negotiation

The University has the right to accept the best proposal(s) as submitted, without discussion or negotiation. Contractors should therefore not rely on having a chance to discuss, negotiate and adjust their proposals.

Contractors who submit proposals initially judged by the Procurement Officer to be reasonably susceptible of being selected for award may be asked to discuss their proposals with the University to facilitate arrival at a contract most advantageous to the University. If the Procurement Officer determines that discussion is in the best interest of the University, the Procurement Officer will advise contractors to submit a best and final offer for consideration after discussions are held.

However, discussions may not be conducted if the Procurement Officer determines either that discussions are not in the best interests of the University or that discussions need not be conducted: (a) with respect to prices that are fixed by law or regulation, although consideration shall be given to competitive terms and conditions; (b) because the time of delivery or performance does not permit discussions; or (c) because it can be demonstrated clearly from the existence of adequate competition or accurate prior price experience with the particular item that acceptance of an initial offer without negotiation would result in a fair and reasonable price.

3.4 Basis of Award

The University will award one or more contracts resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror(s) whose offer conforms to the solicitation and is determined to be the Best value among those rated technically acceptable or offers the best value to the University.

Recommended contract awards, if any, resulting from this RFP, may be subject to State and University approvals.

3.5 Formation of Agreement/Contract with Successful Contractor This RFP and any resulting contract shall be governed by the University System of

Maryland Procurement Policies and Procedures. These policies and procedures may be viewed at the following web site:

https://www.usmd.edu/usm/procurement/procedures.html.

3.6 Debriefing of Unsuccessful Proposers

A debriefing of an unsuccessful proposer shall be conducted upon written request submitted to the Procurement Officer within ten (10) days of the date on which the proposer knew, or should have known, its proposal was unsuccessful. The debriefing shall be limited to a discussion of the proposer’s unsuccessful proposal. The debriefing will be oral and shall provide information on areas in which the proposal was deemed weak or insufficient. The debriefing will NOT include discussion of a competing offeror’s proposal

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A summary of the Procurement Officer’s rationale for the selection may be given.

Debriefings shall be conducted at the earliest feasible time.

3.7 Protests and Claims

Any protest regarding the award of this contract or claim arising out of this contract shall be administered in accordance with the University System of Maryland Procurement Policies and Procedures, Section X - Protests and Claims. Detail is available by accessing the following web site https://www.usmd.edu/usm/procurement/procedures.html.

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3.8 Contract Implementation Meeting

Contractor receiving an award under this solicitation may be required to attend a Contract

Implementation Meeting to be held after contract award, as scheduled by the Procurement Officer. The location and agenda for this meeting will be communicated to the Contractor by the Procurement Officer.

SECTION 4

Requirements Contractor is required to provide the information listed below by providing the qualifications as listed below. Failure to comply with this instruction may result in disqualification of Contractors proposal.

4.1 Contractor Data

The Contractor’s proposal must include the following information

4.1.1 Contractor/Company Details

4.1.1.1 Contractor (Company/Corporate) Name (as it appears on current W-9)

4.1.1.2 Contractor Primary Business Location/Address

4.1.1.3 Contractor Point of Contact Information, location, telephone number, cell phone number, email address

4.1.1.5 Contractor Office that will service the University

4.1.1.6 Contractor Tax Identification Number and current W-9

4.1.1.7 Contractor Parent Company (if applicable)

4.1.1.8 Contractor Authorized Signer for contractual purposes

4.1.1.9 If proposing company is not publicly traded, identify principal owners of company

4.1.2 Company Size

4.1.2.1 Identify the number of people employed by Contractor and the year established

4.1.2.2 Identify the current number of customers serviced by Contractor

4.1.3 Customer Service

4.1.3.1 Overview of customer service program

4.1.3.2 Customer Service key contact information and hours

4.1.3.3 Income statement and balance sheet for each of the two most recently completed fiscal years certified by a Public Accountant (Upon request by the University)

4.1.4 Business Inclusion and Supplier Diversity Program Information

4.1.4.1 Identify whether Contractor has a Business Inclusion and Supplier Diversity Program, provide website link describing the Program, goals, and achievement

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4.1.4.2 Identify ability to provide detailed sub-contractor/Tier 2 reporting to customers

4.2 Contractor Qualifications

Contractor is required to provide all of the following information. Failure to comply with this instruction may result in disqualification of Contractors proposal.

A. EXECUTIVE / MANAGEMENT SUMMARY

The proposal must contain an Executive/Management Summary that provides a brief synopsis of how the Offeror's proposal meets the needs of the University and offers an overview of the proposer’s proposal.

B. ELIGIBILITY / COMPLIANCE

a. The Offer must provide an attestation that they are free from violations and have no record of violations in the past. Violations, including business, ethics, and environmental violations could prevent the Offeror from being eligible to participate in this procurement action. according to credit

b. The Offeror must be in good standing with the State of Maryland to conduct business in and with the State of Maryland. The Offeror must attest to this and provide documentation that they are in good standing.

c. The Offeror must attest and provide documentation that they are free from litigation currently and have no record of litigation in the past related to the development or brokerage of verified carbon offsets and other environmental instruments.

C. MARKET ACCESS

a. The applicants must offer voluntary greenhouse gas mitigation (carbon) credits that have been issued and third-party verified under at least one of the following sets of independent registries:

American Carbon Registry (ACR) VERRA’s Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Climate Action Reserve (CAR) Gold Standard Plan Vivo

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The Offeror must broker or have access to broker (purchase and sell) these voluntary carbon credits.

b. In addition to verified, voluntary carbon credits, the Offeror must state whether they have access to and may provide any or all of the following environmental instruments for use in regulatory compliance such as the state of Maryland’s Renewable Portfolio Standards or for voluntary carbon reduction purposes including:

Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) Renewable Thermal Credits (RTCs) Green-e voluntary renewable energy credits

If the Offeror is to provide any of these environmental attributes/instruments, they must serve as a broker and/or have access to a broker (purchase and sell) these environmental attributes / instruments. RECs and SRECs, are currently used to help the University meet requirements of Maryland’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). RINs and RTCs have not been previously purchased, but the university would like the ability to do so in the future. Green-e voluntary renewable energy credits are purchased to meet various standards. An Offeror who elects to provide a listed environmental attribute must demonstrate their ability to provide this service by detailing their prior experience. If access is through broker(s), the broker(s) must be identified as the counterparty for each of the attributes being offered.

c. The Offeror must demonstrate access to current carbon offset projects. The Offeror must provide descriptions for at least eight (8) and up to twelve (12) current projects with verified carbon offset credits available for purchase during the next 12 months. Each description should not exceed two pages and must include a full written description of the project, comments on strength of additionality claim, certifier, vintages, quantities available now, anticipated quantities available in future years, retirement date, and any other pertinent information. If you have photos of the project(s) please include up to three (3) photos.

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d. The Offeror must describe their ability to identify potential new carbon offset projects, as well as provide examples of any upcoming or new projects that they may have available. The Offeror should provide information regarding any established relationships they have with project developers. The Offeror must describe their ability to support development of new projects, including a description of their approach to working with project developers to create new projects. Indicate the types of support / roles that the Offeror has with developing projects, including financial and technical aspects. The Offeror must identify any previously completed projects within the last five (5) years that were financed successfully with Offeror’s involvement and length of time to receive financing.

D. PAST PERFORMANCE

Include a brief description of at least two (2) ongoing or completed client relationships from the past five years where you developed and managed portfolios of verified carbon offsets to meet an organization’s strategic needs. The description of past client relationships should include the following and be a maximum of one page per client:

i. Approximate date range

ii. Approximate annual volumes of offsets transacted.

iii. Description of how client needs were assessed and met in time for deadlines

iv. Description of how retirement of offsets were handled

v. Brief discussion of any challenges and how they were overcome

vi. Contact information for at least two past/current clients for references

Offeror shall provide the same information described above for any other environmental attribute the Offeror elects to provide under this procurement.

E. PRIOR EXPERIENCE

a. Identify and include resumes of key team members who will manage this contract, if awarded. Outline roles, responsibilities and overall qualifications including an organization chart that illustrates

Affidavits over 200K; V.1 Revised 11-29-16 23 reporting structure of key members.

b. Identify any subcontractors the Offeror intends to employ in the execution of portfolio management and or development of future portfolios. Describe specific roles and responsibilities of subcontractors and their experience in performing similar work.

c. Include a description (not to exceed two (2 pages) of past experience in managing portfolios of verified carbon offsets and other environmental attributes / instruments for clients with similar or relevant strategic needs containing:

Similar experience in this scope of work in the last three years.

Total number of organizational clients for whom you have managed offset transactions in the last three years.

Total number of verified carbon offsets and other environmental attributes / instruments transacted in each of the last three years.

F. REFERENCES

a. Proposals shall include references from at least three

(3) of their prior and/or existing client relationships.

Provide the client’s contact name, title, address, phone number and email addresses.

b. The University reserves the right to take any or all of the following actions: to reject a proposal based on unsatisfactory reference, to contact any person or persons associated with the referenced client relationships, to request additional references, to contact organizations known to have used in the past or currently using the services supplied by the Contractor or the Contractor’s subcontractors to contact independent consulting firms for additional information about the Contractor or the Contractor’s subcontractors, and to contact any person or persons associated with projects included in the Contractor’s proposal.

G. SAMPLE PROJECTS

a. Proposals shall include descriptions of at leaster three

93) sample projects from which clients can provide

Affidavits over 200K; V.1 Revised 11-29-16 24 verified credits/certificates. Proposers are encouraged to include additional documentation if available, including but not limited to videos, photos, press releases, awards, and independent ratings.

b. Submitting proposed projects of more than one type will help demonstrate the firm’s ability to respond to UMD’s requirements as they can change from year to year.

H. TECHNICAL PROPOSAL TEMPLATE

a. Use Attachment 1 – Technical Proposal Template to submit responses to each of the University’s specified technical criteria. Comments submitted on this attachment should be supported by the rest of the technical proposal including project descriptions.

b. Contractors are urged to read the Proposal very carefully and to submit their questions, in writing, by the due date. Misinterpretation of specifications by the Contractor shall not relieve the Contractor of responsibility to accurately address the requirements of this RFP or to perform the contract, if awarded.

c. The information/items specified herein must be addressed in the technical proposal. The proposal must expressly indicate that it satisfies each point of the RFP requirements and specifications, reference Section C. Simple YES or NO responses to stated requirements are insufficient. Rather, the Contractor must describe in detail how the proposed products and/or services meet or exceed the stated requirements. Additionally, the Contractor must explain any exception or deviation from the requirements.

4.2.2 Financial Viability

The University reserves the right to require, during proposal evaluation, that the

Contractor provide a copy of its most current Annual Report or audited Statement of Financial Condition to include a Balance Sheet, Income Statement and Cash Flow Statement or other acceptable financial information. These documents may be relied on in any determination regarding Contractor financial responsibility and suitability for contract award.

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4.2.3 Key Personnel

4.2.3.1 Contractor is required to provide appropriate support to carry out the functions described under Specifications and us required to identify all Key Personnel who will be involved in performing the work.

4.2.3.2 Contractor is required to provide vitae/bio information, validating the individuals’ credentials to carry out the work, for all professional personnel who are considered Key Personnel for the work

4.2.3.3 Contractor is to identify which Key Personnel will be involved in the various aspects of the work. In the event contractor proposes changes to identified Key Personnel, the above vita/bio information will be provided to the university Procurement office for approval. The contractor will provide a transition plan to describe how the individual tasks will be transitioned to new personnel.

4.3 Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Participation

Minority Business (MDOT) firms are encouraged to respond to this solicitation.

4.4 Technical Requirements/Specifications/Scope of Work as identified in Section 1

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SECTION 5

Proposal and Contract Terms and Conditions

The University of Maryland Standard Terms and Conditions apply to University of Maryland College Park (UMD) procurements.

AFFIDAVITS, ADDENDA, AND FEDERAL FLOW DOWNS- The following affidavits, addenda, and Federal flow downs may apply to this Contract and will automatically attach based upon the nature of the procurement and/or funding source. All Affidavits and Addenda requiring signature must be completed by the Contractor and returned to the UMD Procurement and Business Services and must reference the associated Purchase Order Number or transaction number (if ordered by credit card).

UMD ACCESSIBILITY ADDENDUM (for any and all web-based deliverables (including, but not limited to, off the shelf software, custom developed software, and related goods or services used to create, maintain or update the University’s Web pages, Web content, Web-based applications, online instructional content, services and resources.)

UMD CONTRACT AND BID/PROPOSAL AFFIDAVITS (for all Contracts exceeding $200,000, Contractor shall execute the Bid/Proposal and Contract Affidavit required by the University, which shall be in substantially the same form as the Maryland forms at the time the Contract is executed by the University. Additional University certifications may be required for Contracts of any dollar amount.