SS_2024009792.pdf

Sources Sought Notice No. SS-2024009792

“West Maui Clean Energy Transition Support” February 19, 2024

Background:

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is a national laboratory owned by the U.S.

Department of Energy (DOE). NREL is the only federal laboratory dedicated to research, development, commercialization, and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. NREL is managed and operated for DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy by The Alliance for Sustainable Energy (Alliance), the “M&O Contractor”.

In response to the series of wildfires which ignited on Maui’s western Peninsula in August 2023, particularly in the historic town of Lahaina, NREL is seeking local community-based organizations, local small businesses, and other organizations to work with NREL and other DOE national laboratories on energy related relief and rebuilding efforts in Lahaina.

Through this project, National Laboratory technical assistance can support local clean energy transitions across multiple sectors (grid, buildings, and mobility) and help communities equitably access the economic and environmental benefits of clean energy. The project will connect a coalition of local stakeholders with technical expertise at DOE and its national laboratories to support the planning and implementation of clean energy transitions across the electrical grid, buildings, and transportation that are just, safe, secure, reliable, resilient, affordable, and reflective of local and regional priorities.

This project offers local stakeholders the chance to work alongside national laboratory staff to inform and receive technical support related to clean energy and the rebuilding of Lahaina.

Technical support could include robust modeling and analysis capabilities, conducting hardware-in-the-loop testing of solutions adapted to the community's unique conditions and contexts, or other activities.

The goal of this multiyear partnership is to allow local decision makers to evaluate and test potential scenarios and strategies in their energy transition before full technology deployment, thereby lowering risks to implementation.

DOE and NREL are prioritizing technical assistance and funding support to organizations local to West Maui, those affected most by the Lahaina fires, and/or Native Hawaiians.

Objective:

The project objective, at a high level, is to assist in developing a scope of technical assistance provided by DOE National Labs to support local clean energy transitions as part of the rebuilding of Lahaina.

Project Details:

In the event a solicitation is released, NREL is seeking information from sources that may be capable of providing a solution that meets or exceeds the following minimum capabilities:

1. Expertise in clean energy technologies and expertise in informing and educating non-expert local stakeholders on the benefits, opportunities, and risks associated with clean energy transitions.

2. Experience in communicating the needs, objectives, and concerns of local stakeholders to technical assistance providers.

3. Experience developing a workplan that is informed by the needs, objectives, and concerns of local stakeholders.

4. Expertise in local cultural, political, environmental, and economic factors that will guide and inform a successful local clean energy transition

Request Details:

The Alliance intends to competitively solicit for multiple subcontracts for West Maui Clean Energy Transition Support dependent on the volume of qualified responses received.

Step 1 - Sourcing (SSN): Parties that meet the minimum criteria outlined herein are encouraged to submit their capabilities statements. Submitted capabilities statements that meet the Alliance’s stated criteria will be considered for inclusion in the source list to receive notice of the planned RFP. The Alliance reserves the right to add additional sources to the source list at its discretion.

Step 2: Qualifying (RFQ): Once the source list is compiled (the Alliance reserves the right to add additional sources to the source list at its discretion), the Alliance will send each potential source the solicitation document [choose: Request for Qualification (RFQ) or Request for Proposals (RFP)]. Sources will then be asked to submit in accordance with that formal solicitation document. The Alliance will then evaluate the submitted qualifications against the selection criteria.

Small-Business Requirements: Sufficient, qualified responses to this SSN will determine if a total small business set aside is appropriate for a resultant RFP.

The following links are being provided for convenience:

• https://www.sba.gov/document/support--table-size-standards

• https://www.sba.gov/size-standards

Period of Performance: This project is anticipated to have a base period of performance totaling twelve (12) months or 365 days, plus two one-year option periods totaling twelve (12) months of 365 days. The total Period of Performance, if all options are exercised, shall not exceed thirty six

(36) months.

Anticipated Lead/Delivery Time: The Alliance program anticipates the lead/delivery time to be <Insert timeframe here> https://www.sba.gov/document/support--table-size-standards https://www.sba.gov/size-standards

Location of Work to be Performed: Offerors shall be able to demonstrate their capability to perform in these locations:

Maui, HI

Submission Requirements:

For companies interested in competing for the “West Maui Clean Energy Transition Support” RFP, please submit the following to Alex Joseph at ASP.responses@nrel.gov with the subject “SS- 2024009792 – YOUR COMPANY NAME” on or before 5:00 p.m. (MST), 03/31/2024. Your submission response is limited to 5 pages:

1. Company Name, Address, and Company URL (include bona-fide location as stated above).

2. Point of Contact Information (Email, Direct Phone Number).

3. Company’s Capability Statement that provides a narrative of the Offeror’s expertise with projects of similar scope, size, and complexity as identified below:

Services Capability: Alliance is seeking a subcontractor that has demonstrated success with similar projects, has experience with federally funded projects, is knowledgeable with challenging schedules on project delivery, and is well versed and skilled in effectively integrating with all project team stakeholders.

Please complete the following table.

Capabilities

Experience:

Yes/No

Years Experience (if applicable)

1.1

Ability to conduct in-person listening sessions on energy priorities with stakeholders impacted by the West Maui fires.

1.2

Previous experience with stakeholder engagement and consensus building.

1.3

Familiarity with how public input can shape infrastructure or capital improvement projects.

1.4

Strong personal or organizational connection to West Maui and Lahaina local community, stakeholders, and local governments.

1.5 Physical presence in West Maui.

1.6

Previous experience demonstrating an understanding of Maui's current and historic political energy landscape, as well as cultural awareness and sensitivities.

1.7

Understanding of clean energy technologies for the region.

mailto:ASP.responses@nrel.gov

4. Estimated Lead Times

Disclaimer: Responding to this request identifies your company as an interested candidate only.

Your submittal is not in response to a Request for Proposals (RFP). This is an SSN, not a Request for Proposal. Verbal replies will not be accepted. All inquiries must be in writing via email. Project related questions will not be entertained at this point in the procurement process. This document represents a market research effort. Any costs associated with the development of a response to this request will not be reimbursed by NREL and submission does not guarantee or otherwise promise inclusion in any forthcoming RFP. In the event a solicitation results from this SSN, NREL reserves the right to set aside in total or in part any resultant award. No award will be made to any subcontractor/vendor that is not registered or in the process of registering with the System for Award Management (SAM). Please visit the SAM website at https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration for instructions on how to register.

https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration