RFQ 20240104_Multi-MW Electrolyzer Power Supply Unit.pdf

Reference Guide II-009, Exhibit A (Rev. 09/2020) Page 1 of 6

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

Request for Quote (RFQ) Number 20240104

“Multi-MW Electrolyzer Power Supply Unit”

REQUEST FOR Quote (RFQ)

READ THIS DOCUMENT CAREFULLY

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

BEST VALUE SELECTION

All Technical Specification requirements being met with the best combination of:

Technical factors (based on qualitative merit criteria), and Evaluated price (or cost)

Issue Date: 1/5/2024 Due Date: 2/23/2024 Time Due: 4:00 Mountain Time

Technical questions must be received in writing no later than 2/2/2024

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

1. Solicitation Type Best Value Selection Firm Fixed Price, Purchase Order (PO)

SUBMIT OFFERS TO AND REQUEST INFORMATION FROM THE NREL RFP CONTACT

BELOW

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

Email: christopher.ragain@nrel.gov

Electronic copies of forms and appendices can be found at:

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

Reference Guide II-009, Exhibit A (Rev. 09/2020) Page 2 of 6

Procurement Forms | NREL

3. Project description:

As specified in the Technical Specifications titled “Multi-MW Electrolyzer Power Supply Unit”, (Attachment 1).

4. Proposed subcontract award and period of performance

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

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

It is the intent of NREL to award one Firm Fixed Price PO under this solicitation.

Estimated delivery date by August 2025.

5. Competitive negotiated subcontract using Best Value Selection

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

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

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

6. Qualitative merit criteria for Best Value Selection

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

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

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

Reference Guide II-009, Exhibit A (Rev. 09/2020) Page 3 of 6

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

Criterion # Criterion

Assigned Weight

Description

6.1 Experience

10%

Demonstrate how the proposed system is likely to be used by others and represents a best-in class approach for electrolysis.

Troubleshooting and servicing. Having a knowledgeable team of technology experts available for troubleshooting and servicing when needed.

6.2 Technical Approach

20%

End-to-end service and system design. Define the approach to support NREL with components and systems, the planning, design, and implementation to complete the project objective.

Long-term value to maintain the equipment. Having a productive technology development team to ensure equipment software is up to date and a capable research asset

6.3 Technical Capability

50%

Technical specifications.

Protection system.

Environmental constraints. Robustness of equipment to provide full operation in the outdoor environment envisioned.

6.4 Project Performance

20%

Timing - Ability to quickly deliver equipment and provide commissioning services.

Cost - Cost of achieving a complete solution.

Consider ongoing operations and maintenance.

Original purchase and commissioning support services

100% Total of Merit Criteria

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).

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

8. Evaluation process

NREL will evaluate offers in two general steps:

Step One—Initial Evaluation An initial evaluation will be performed to determine if all required information has been provided for an acceptable offer. Offerors may be contacted only for clarification purposes during the initial evaluation. Offerors shall be notified if their offer is determined

Reference Guide II-009, Exhibit A (Rev. 09/2020) Page 4 of 6 unacceptable and the reasons for rejection will be provided. Unacceptable offers will be excluded from further consideration.

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

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

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

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

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

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

(f) make no award(s).

9. Submission Requirements: All interested Offerors must submit a quote that shall include the following:

a. Responsive quotes will be based on Attachment No. 1- Technical Specifications. The quote must be valid for 180 days from the date of the offer.

b. Letter indicating acceptance of Attachment No. 1 – Technical Specifications and NREL standard terms and conditions, Appendix B-8, Standard Terms and Conditions for Subcontracts and Purchase Orders for Commercial Items, dated 1/23/23, found at: Subcontracts and Purchase Orders for Commercial Items (Goods and Services):

Appendix B-8, Standard Terms and Conditions (nrel.gov) will be applicable to the purchase order. State any changes with reason to the terms and conditions. The letter shall include a statement declaring whether the product being delivered is a domestic end-product (as such term in defined in FAR 25.003.

c. Technical Proposal directed toward meeting the requirements of NREL Technical

Specifications and qualitative merit (see section 6 above). The technical proposal shall be organized in the following sections:

Section No. Description 1 Experience – 10% 2 Technical approach – 20% 3 System capability – 50% 4 Project performance – 20% The total proposal shall not exceed 10 pages.

d. Complete and submit a proposed payment/milestone schedule with descriptions, due dates, and price for each occurrence. See Attachment 2 – Payment Milestone Schedule. If your company proposes a different payment/milestone schedule, please provide specific information to the description, due dates and proposed payment.

Reference Guide II-009, Exhibit A (Rev. 09/2020) Page 5 of 6

e. A completed “Representations & Certifications for Subcontracts/Purchase Orders” form. Please download from the NREL general access website link below:

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

f. Confirmation of your Company’s Registration in the System for Award Management

(SAM). NREL requires all vendors to be registered under SAM at www.SAM.gov.

g. NREL is required to obtain price justification. Price justification can be a copy of a published price list that supports all costs of the container(s). If you do not have a published price list that shows the price/cost, please provide copies of other customers invoices (minimum 3) for the same or similar item(s). For confidential reasons, you can omit the names and addresses of the other customers’ invoices. Please note that all price/cost must be supported with backup documentation.

As a federal government contractor, NREL is obligated to request all applicable discounts available. If GSA pricing is available, please provide your GSA Schedule.

Please identify discounts offered to NREL on your quote.

h. This solicitation requires the submittal of electronic proposals.

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

10. Solicitation Provisions—full text provided

a. Late submissions, modifications, and withdrawals of offers

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

b. 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.

c. 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

Reference Guide II-009, Exhibit A (Rev. 09/2020) Page 6 of 6 and Operating Contractors for the Department of Energy (operators of Department of Energy National Laboratories). Should an offeror have any concerns regarding the NREL solicitation process or selection determination, the offeror may contact Paul White, Advocate for Commercial Practices, at (303) 384-7575. NREL will address each concern received from an offeror on an individual basis.

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

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

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

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

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

Please email your quote and required documents to me by 2/23/2024 4:00pm mountain time to the following email address: christopher.ragain@nrel.gov. As stated above, technical questions are due by 2/2/2023.

Sincerely, Chris Ragain Subcontract Administrator/Buyer, Simplified Acquisition Services NREL Acquisition Services

Attachments:

Attachment 1 – Technical Specifications Attachment 2 – Payment/Milestone Schedule