RFP MV03212024RC - Posted.pdf

Request for Proposal (RFP) No. MV03212024RC

TITLE: “WSUV SEARCH FOR RANKINECYCLER STEAM TURBINE

POWER SYSTEM (PRODUCED BY TURBINE TECHNOLOGIES, LTD.)”

March 21, 2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE

RFP PURPOSE

UNIVERSITY OVERVIEW

WSU VANCOUVER OVERVIEW

COORDINATOR FOR THIS RFP

AMENDMENTS AND/OR ADDENDUMS TO THE RFP

DISCLAIMER

SCHEDULE OF RFP EVENTS AND DEADLINES

QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD

REQUIREMENTS OF PROPOSAL CONTENT AND SUBMISSION

PROCESS FOR SUBMITTING PROPOSAL TO WSU VIA EMAIL

ACCOMPANYING EXHIBITS

RFP PURPOSE

WSU Vancouver wishes replace an aging “RankineCycler” (manufactured by Turbine Technologies, LTD.), that would be fiscally irresponsible to repair and/or rebuild, with a new RankineCycler to use as a valuable teaching tool in our School of Engineering and Computer Science (ENCS).

UNIVERSITY OVERVIEW

Washington State University (www.wsu.edu), one of two research universities in the state, was founded in 1890 as the state’s land-grant institution. It is a Carnegie Doctoral/Research Extensive University with a current enrollment of approximately 26,300 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students and approximately 5,600 faculty and staff. A leading research institution, WSU offers 95 undergraduate degree, more than 60 graduate degree, and more than 40 doctoral degree programs through 12 colleges and a graduate school. In addition to the Pullman campus (approximately 18,200 students), Washington State University has campuses in Vancouver, Spokane, Tri-Cities, and Everett, as well as a Global Campus (for online degree programs accessible worldwide), and extension offices in every county.

http://www.wsu.edu/ http://www.online.wsu.edu/

WSU VANCOUVER OVERVIEW

Washington State University Vancouver is part of the Washington State University multi-campus system and is committed to access and the university’s land-grant mission. The Vancouver campus was established in 1989 as a provider of upper division and graduate education, and in 2006 began admitting freshman students for the first time, marking an important event in the development of the WSU system.

WSU Vancouver is an innovative, non-residential research university dedicated to offering premier undergraduate and graduate educational and research experiences. As the only public four-year university in southwest Washington, WSU Vancouver enjoys extraordinary community support and is committed to developing areas of academic and research excellence that fuel innovation and economic growth, both regionally and statewide. Southwest Washington continues to be the area of the state with the most limited access to public higher education, while demand for college graduates remains strong.

WSU Vancouver is situated on 351 scenic acres in the homelands of the Chinookan and Taidnapam peoples and the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. Emile “Mel” Netzhammer, WSU Vancouver’s second Chancellor in campus history, is passionate about expanding access to higher education and growing the number of students who successfully complete their academic degrees - especially for students who are first generation, come from underserved populations, and are completing their education in non-traditional ways and at non-traditional times.

A part of the greater Portland metro area, WSU Vancouver enrolls approximately 2,800 predominately undergraduate commuter students. The average age of a WSU Vancouver student is 25. First generation students comprise 44% of the undergraduate population and 37 are students of color. In terms of the financial profile of current undergraduate students, 82% of students are using financial aid, and of those, 59% are Pell grant eligible. The campus currently offers 26 bachelor’s degrees, eight master’s degrees, and three doctorate degrees with more than 190 doctorate faculty. Although currently a non-residential campus, students are increasingly relocating from other regions to attend WSU Vancouver, and student housing is a future possibility.

COORDINATOR FOR THIS RFP

RFP Coordinator Mike Appel Contact information mike.appel@wsu.edu

Those interested in submitting a proposal are to rely on written statements issued by the RFP Coordinator.

Any other communication will be considered unofficial and non-binding on the University.

Communications directed to parties other than the RFP Coordinator may result in disqualification of the Proposal.

AMENDMENTS AND/OR ADDENDUMS TO THE RFP

In the event it becomes necessary to revise any part of this RFP, the amendment and/or addendum will be published on the Washington Electronic Business Solutions (WEBS) website at:

https://fortress.wa.gov/ga/webscust/. For this purpose, the published questions and answers and any other pertinent information shall be provided as an amendment or addendum to the RFP and will be placed on this website. For further information on registering with the WEBS go to: https://des.wa.gov/sell/how-work-state/register-bid-opportunities.

mailto:mike.appel@wsu.edu https://fortress.wa.gov/ga/webscust/ https://des.wa.gov/sell/how-work-state/register-bid-opportunities https://des.wa.gov/sell/how-work-state/register-bid-opportunities

DISCLAIMER

Washington State University (“WSU”) reserves the right to revise the schedule below. Evaluation of responses, interviews and/or oral presentations (if requested), announcement of “Apparent Successful Proposal”, notifications to unsuccessful proposers, debriefings, and contract negotiations shall all be subject to change and to the availability of the evaluation team. The University also reserves the right to cancel and/or to reissue the RFP in whole or in part, prior to execution of a contract.

SCHEDULE OF RFP EVENTS AND DEADLINES

EVENT DATE AND TIME

Request for Proposal (RFP) posted on WEBS March 21, 2024 Questions Deadline for RFP Inquiries. Noon (PST) March 22, 2024 Expected Responses to Questions be posted on WEBS By 4 p.m. (PST) March 22, 2024 Responses Due to RFP Coordinator March 25, 2024, @ 4:00pm (PST) Evaluation Period (may include clarifying questions, interviews and/or presentations) TBD

Announcement of Apparent Successful Proposal TBD (Deadline: By 4 p.m. March 29, 2024) PST)

Washington State University reserves the right to revise the above schedule. During evaluation of proposals, interviews or presentations may be requested and scheduled by the evaluation team.

Announcement of “Apparent Successful Proposal”, notifications to unsuccessful proposers, debriefings, and contract negotiations will occur after evaluation period.

QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD

Submit any and all questions via email to mike.appel@wsu.edu, with “RFP# MV03212024RC – Questions” in the subject line, no later than by the Noon (sharp), March 22, 2024 Deadline (no questions submitted after this time and date will be responded to or answered). Responses will be provided only in the form of an RFP Addendum posted to WEBS for public review.

REQUIREMENTS OF PROPOSAL CONTENT AND SUBMISSION

To be considered for the award of this RFP, a formal written Proposal must be submitted within the stated timeline of this RFP, along with all required documents. The Proposal format must be a Word document or PDF. The Supplier must clearly identify all charges, allowances and discounts (no additional charges will be considered or allowed after award).

PROCESS FOR SUBMITTING PROPOSAL TO WSU VIA EMAIL

Supplier’s proposal shall be submitted as follows:

The proposal must be received electronically by the RFP Coordinator no later than 4:00 p.m.

(sharp), Pacific Standard Time, on March 25, 2024, as per electronic stamp.

Two (2) documents will be required for the submission:

1) A detailed Quote/Proposal showing all costs (including shipping charges), allowances, and discounts.

2) A completed and signed Certification and Assurances (Exhibit B)

Proposals/Detailed Quotations must be submitted electronically as an attachment to an e-mail to mike.appel@wsu.edu, the RFP Coordinator, who will view the responses, and then pass them on to ENCS department personnel for evaluations. Attachments to the e-mail shall be in Microsoft Word format, Excel, or PDF – no other formats. Zipped files cannot be received by WSU and cannot be used for submission of proposals. The proposal and all documents requiring a signature, must have a scanned signature (or other electronic signature method) of the individual within the organization authorized to bind the Respondent to the offer. WSU does not assume responsibility for any problems with Respondent’s e-mail or system. Only if WSU’s email is verified to not be working properly, appropriate allowances will be made. Proposals may not be transmitted using facsimile transmission.

Respondents must allow sufficient time to ensure timely receipt of the proposal by the RFP Coordinator. Late proposals will not be accepted and will be automatically disqualified from further consideration (unless as stated above, WSU’S e-mail is found to be at fault). All proposals and any accompanying documentation become the property of WSU and will not be returned.

ACCOMPANYING EXHIBITS

Exhibit A RFP General Terms And Conditions.

Exhibit B Certification and Assurances (required document to be submitted).

Exhibit C “RankineCycler” Specifications Sheet.

DELIVERY INFORMATION FOR

PROPOSALS

Washington State University Submission Method - Email to:

mike.appel@wsu.edu

Email Subject Line:

“ATTN: RFP# MV03212024RC”

Due Date and Time:

March 25, 2024, at 4:00pm PST

Faxed submissions are not accepted. Late submissions are not accepted.

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

In submitting a bid in response to this RFP, the bidder agrees to accept the terms set forth in this RFP.

1. Contract Template with Terms and Conditions: The apparent successful contractor will be expected to enter into a contract which is substantially the same as the sample contract and its general terms and conditions in the attached labeled as Exhibit B. In no event is a Consultant to submit its own standard contract terms and conditions in response to this solicitation. The Consultant may submit exceptions as allowed in the Certifications and Assurances form, Exhibit A to this solicitation.

All exceptions to the contract terms and conditions must be submitted as an attachment to Exhibit A, Certifications and Assurances form. Washington State University will review requested exceptions and accept or reject the same at its sole discretion.

2. Most Favorable Terms: Washington State University reserves the right to make an award without further discussion of the proposal submitted. Therefore, the proposal should be submitted initially on the most favorable terms which the Consultant can propose. There will be no best and final offer procedure. Washington State University does reserve the right to contact a Consultant for clarification of its proposal. The Apparent Successful Contractor should be prepared to accept this RFP for incorporation into a contract resulting from this RFP. Contract negotiations may incorporate some or all of the Consultant’s proposal. It is understood that the proposal will become a part of the official procurement file on this matter without obligation to Washington State University.

3. Responsiveness: All proposals will be reviewed by the RFP Coordinator to determine compliance with administrative requirements and instructions specified in this RFP. The Consultant is specifically notified that failure to comply with any part of the RFP may result in rejection of the proposal as non-responsive. WSU also reserves the right at its sole discretion to waive minor administrative irregularities.

4. Costs to Propose: Washington State University will not be liable for any costs incurred by the Consultant in preparation of a proposal submitted in response to this RFP, in conduct of a presentation, or any other activities related to responding to this RFP.

5. Contracting with Current or Former State Employees: Specific restrictions apply to contracting with current or former state employees pursuant to chapter 42.52 of the Revised Code of Washington.

Proposers should familiarize themselves with the requirements prior to submitting a proposal that includes current or former state employees.

6. Minority & Women-Owned Business Participation: In accordance with chapter 39.19 RCW, the state of Washington encourages participation in all of its contracts by firms certified by the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE). Participation may be either on a direct basis in response to this solicitation or on a subcontractor basis. However, no preference will be included in the evaluation of proposals, no minimum level of MWBE participation shall be required as a condition for receiving an award and proposals will not be rejected or considered non-responsive on that basis.

7. Proprietary Information / Public Disclosure: Proposals submitted in response to this competitive procurement shall become the property of Washington State University. All proposals received shall remain confidential until the contract, if any, resulting from this RFP is signed by the Director of Purchasing Services, or his Designee, and the apparent successful Contractor; thereafter, the proposals shall be deemed public records as defined in Chapter 42.56 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). Any information in the proposal that the Consultant desires to claim as proprietary and exempt from disclosure under the provisions of Chapter 42.56 RCW, or other state or federal law that provides for the nondisclosure of your document, must be clearly designated. The information must be clearly identified and the particular exemption from disclosure upon which the

Exhibit A - RFP# MV03212024RC

Consultant is making the claim must be cited. Each page containing the information claimed to be exempt from disclosure must be clearly identified by the words “Proprietary Information” printed on the lower right hand corner of the page. Marking the entire proposal exempt from disclosure or as Proprietary Information will not be honored. If a public records request is made for the information that the Consultant has marked as "Proprietary Information," the Washington State University will notify the Consultant of the request and of the date that the records will be released to the requester unless the Consultant obtains a court order enjoining that disclosure. If the Consultant fails to obtain the court order enjoining disclosure, Washington State University will release the requested information on the date specified. If a Consultant obtains a court order from a court of competent jurisdiction enjoining disclosure pursuant to Chapter 42.56 RCW, or other state or federal law that provides for nondisclosure, Washington State University shall maintain the confidentiality of the Consultant's information per the court order.

8. No Obligation to Contract: This RFP does not obligate the state of Washington or Washington State University to contract for services specified herein.

9. Rejection of Proposals: Washington State University reserves the right at its sole discretion to reject any and all proposals received without penalty and not to issue a contract as a result of this RFP.

10. Commitment of Funds: The President of Washington State University or his delegates are the only individuals who may legally commit Washington State University to the expenditures of funds for a contract resulting from this RFP. No cost chargeable to the proposed contract may be incurred before receipt of a fully executed contract.

11. Evaluation Procedure: Responsive proposals will be evaluated strictly in accordance with the requirements stated in this solicitation and any addenda issued. The evaluation of proposals shall be accomplished by an evaluation team(s), to be designated by Washington State University.

Washington State University, at its sole discretion, may elect to select the top-scoring firms as finalists for an oral presentation. The RFP Coordinator may contact the Consultant for clarification of any portion of the Consultant’s proposal. Washington State University reserves the right to award the contract to the Consultant(s) whose proposal(s) is (are) deemed to be in the best interest of Washington State University and the state of Washington.

12. Notification to Proposers: Washington State University will notify the Apparently Successful Contractor of their selection in writing via email upon completion of the evaluation process.

Individuals or firms whose proposals were not selected for further negotiation or award will be notified separately by e-mail or facsimile.

13. Complaint Process: In compliance with RCW 39.26.170 Washington State University (WSU) has established the following Complaint Process; which shall apply to University solicitations posted to WEBS (Washington Electronic Business Solutions). The complaint process allows bidders to focus on the solicitation requirements and evaluation process and raise issues with these processes early enough to allow WSU to correct a problem before bids are submitted and time expended on evaluations. The procurement complaint process will meet the following minimum requirements:

13.1 Bidders will be given an opportunity to submit a complaint to WSU based on any of the following:

a. The solicitation unnecessarily restricts competition;

b. The solicitation evaluation or scoring process is unfair or flawed; or

c. The solicitation requirements are inadequate or insufficient to prepare a response.

13.2 Bidders will be allowed to submit complaints until the deadline for questions within the solicitation has expired or five (5) business days before the solicitation is due; whichever is earlier. Complaints must meet the following requirements:

a. Must be in writing.

b. Must be sent to the procurement coordinator, or designee.

c. Should clearly articulate the basis for the complaint.

d. Should include a proposed remedy.

13.3 The procurement coordinator will respond to complaints in writing.

13.4 The response to complaints including any changes to the solicitation will be posted as an amendment on WEBS.

13.5 The Director of Purchasing Services will be notified of all complaints and will be provided a copy of the response.

13.6 The complaint may not be raised again during the protest period.

13.7 The complaint process does not include an appeal process.

14. Protest Process: In compliance with RCW 39.26.170 Washington State University (WSU) has established the following Protest Process; which shall apply to University solicitations posted to WEBS (Washington Electronic Business Solutions)

14.1 Protests may be made only by bidders who submitted a response to the solicitation document and who have participated in a debriefing conference. Bidders will be given three (3) business days after the apparent successful bidder is announced to provide a written request for a debriefing. Upon completing the debriefing conference, the bidder is allowed three (3) business days to file a protest of the acquisition with the RFP Coordinator. Protests must be received by the RFP Coordinator no later than 4:30 PM, local time, in Pullman Washington on the third business day following the debriefing. Protests may be submitted by e-mail or facsimile, but must then be followed by the document with an original signature.

14.2 Bidders protesting this procurement shall follow the procedures described below. Protests that do not follow these procedures shall not be considered. This protest procedure constitutes the sole administrative remedy available to bidders under this procurement.

a. All protests must be in writing, addressed to the RFP Coordinator, and signed by the protesting party or an authorized Agent. The protest must state the RFP number, the grounds for the protest with specific facts and complete statements of the action(s) being protested. A description of the relief or corrective action being requested should also be included.

b. Only protests stipulating an issue of fact concerning the following subjects shall be considered:

i. A matter of bias, discrimination or conflict of interest on the part of an evaluator;

ii. Errors in computing the score;

iii. Non-compliance with procedures described in the procurement document or WSU policy.

14.3 Protests not based on procedural matters will not be considered. Protests will be rejected as without merit if they address issues such as: 1) an evaluator’s professional judgment on the quality of a proposal, or 2) WSU’s assessment of its own and/or other agencies needs or requirements.

14.4 Upon receipt of a protest, a protest review will be held by the WSU Purchasing Office. The Purchasing Director or an employee delegated by the Director who was not involved in the procurement will consider the record and all available facts and issue a decision within five business days of receipt of the protest. If additional time is required, the protesting party will be notified of the delay.

14.5 In the event a protest may affect the interest of another bidder that also submitted a proposal, such bidder will be given an opportunity to submit its views and any relevant information on the protest to the RFP Coordinator.

14.6 The final determination of the protest shall:

a. Find the protest lacking in merit and uphold WSU’s action; or

b. Find only technical or harmless errors in WSU’s acquisition process and determine WSU to be in substantial compliance and reject the protest; or

c. Find merit in the protest and provide the WSU options which may include:

i. Correct the errors and re-evaluate all proposals, and/or

ii. Reissue the solicitation document and begin a new process, or

iii. Make other findings and determine other courses of action as appropriate.

14.7 If WSU determines that the protest is without merit, WSU will enter into a contract with the apparent successful bidder. If the protest is determined to have merit, one of the alternatives noted in the preceding paragraph will be taken. The outcome and decision of this protest procedure are final.

TO BE SUBMITTED WITH RESPONSE

I/we make the following certifications and assurances as a required element of the proposal to which it is attached, understanding that the truthfulness of the facts affirmed here and the continuing compliance with these requirements are conditions precedent to the award or continuation of the related contract:

1. I/we declare that all answers and statements made in the proposal are true and correct.

2. The prices and/or cost data have been determined independently, without consultation, communication, or agreement with others for the purpose of restricting competition. However, I/we may freely join with other persons or organizations for the purpose of presenting a single proposal.

3. The attached proposal is a firm offer and will remain valid for 180 days, and it may be accepted by the University without further negotiation (except where obviously required by lack of certainty in key terms) any time within 180 days of bid close.

4. In preparing this proposal, I/we have not been assisted by any current or former employee of the state of Washington whose duties relate (or did relate) to this proposal or prospective contract, and who was assisting in other than his or her official, public capacity.

If there are exceptions to these assurances, I/we have described them in full detail on a separate page attached to this document.

5. I/we understand that the University will not reimburse me/us for any costs incurred in the preparation of this proposal. All proposals become the property of the University, and I/we claim no proprietary right to the ideas, writings, items, or samples, unless so stated in this proposal.

6. Unless otherwise required by law, the prices and/or cost data which have been submitted have not been knowingly disclosed by the Proposer and will not knowingly be disclosed by him/her prior to opening, directly or indirectly, to any other Proposer or to any competitor.

7. I/we agree that submission of the attached proposal constitutes acceptance of the solicitation contents and the attached sample contract and general terms and conditions. If there are any exceptions to these terms, I/we have described those exceptions in detail on a page attached to this document.

8. No attempt has been made or will be made by the Proposer to induce any other person or firm to submit or not to submit a proposal for the purpose of restricting competition.

9. I/we grant the University the right to contact references and other, who may have pertinent information regarding the ability of the Respondent and the lead staff person to perform the services contemplated by this RFP.

10. If any staff member(s) who will perform work on this contract has retired from the State of Washington under the provisions of the 2008 Early Retirement Factors legislation, his/her name(s) is noted on a separately attached page.

11. Washington Wage Law Certification: Prior to awarding a contract, institutions of higher education in the state of Washington are required to determine that a bidder is a “responsible bidder.” See RCW 39.26.160(2) & (4). Pursuant to legislative enactment in 2017, the responsible bidder criteria include a contractor certification that the contractor has not willfully violated Washington’s wage laws. I/we hereby certify, under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Washington, that I/we are not currently debarred from doing business with the State of Washington. INITIAL ONE:

_______ NO WAGE VIOLATIONS. I/We have NOT been determined by a final and binding citation and notice of assessment issued by the Washington Department of Labor and Industries or through a civil judgment entered by a court of limited or general jurisdiction to have willfully violated, as defined in RCW 49.48.082 any provision of RCW chapters 49.46, 48.48, or 49.52 within three (3) years prior to the date of signing this Certifications & Assurances form below.

OR

_______ VIOLATIONS OF WAGE LAWS. I/We have been determined by a final and binding citation and notice of assessment issued by the Washington Department of Labor and Industries or through a civil judgment entered by a court of limited or general jurisdiction to have willfully violated, as defined in RCW 49.48.082, a provision of RCW chapters 49.46, 49.48, or 49.52 within three (3) years prior to the date of the above-referenced procurement solicitation date.

12. Terms and conditions of Washington State University. INITIAL ONE:

______ NO EXCEPTIONS ARE TAKEN TO THE TERMS OF THE MODEL CONTRACT

______ EXCEPTIONS OUTLINED ON THE ATTACHED PAGE ARE TAKEN TO THE TERMS OF THE MODEL

CONTRACT.

ON BEHALF OF THE RESPONDENT SUBMITTING THIS PROPOSAL, MY NAME BELOW ATTESTS TO THE ACCURACY OF THE ABOVE

STATEMENTS.

SIGNATURE TITLE PRINT NAME

EMAIL ADDRESS TELEPHONE DATE

Exhibit B - RFP# MV03212024RC

CERTIFICATIONS AND ASSURANCES

http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=49.48.082 http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=49.46 http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=49.48 http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=49.52

Exhibit C - RFP# MV03212024RC

RankineCycler System Specifications