SS-2024020415_FINAL_2024.05.01.pdf

Sources Sought Notice SS-2024020415

“Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) for NREL-ARIES Controller Hardware in The Loop (CHIL)” May 1, 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”.

There is a need to develop a strategic experimental set-up for integrating advanced metering infrastructure with next-generation capabilities into NREL Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems (ARIES) ARIES research assets. In order to meet NREL ARIES objectives of developing at scale grid emulation infrastructure comprising a large number and a large diversity of devices, work has been ongoing to include up to 10,000 grid edge devices for studying the evolution of the power grid, especially in distribution systems with large renewable energy integration and adoption of electric vehicles.

Objective:

The objective of this Sources Sought is to identify potential subcontracting companies that are qualified and capable of meeting the project objectives. The project objective, at a high level, is to provide Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) for NREL-ARIES Controller Hardware in The Loop (CHIL).

Project Details:

In the event a solicitation is released, NREL is seeking information from sources that may be capable of providing a solution that will enable researchers at NREL-ARIES and its industry collaborators to engage in rapid prototyping and technology validation related to advanced metering/smart meter technology. The solution will require that individual smart meters have advanced functionalities to facilitate controlled devices and assets at and behind-the-meter level, with the capability for device level and asset-level control:

See Requirements – Attachment A For Specifics

It is anticipated that the solution will initially require ~16 smart meters to execute proof of concept testing, with additional smart meters (200 total) to be added at a later date pending the results of that testing.

These additional meters will be housed in a self-contained container, which will be provided and set up by the solution provider. This container is designed to offer backplane connectivity that supports low-power connections, essential for integrating and scaling up the infrastructure. This configuration will ensure both scalability and integration flexibility for future expansions, allowing for a seamless transition as we increase capacity.

Request Details:

The Alliance intends to competitively solicit for Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) for NREL-ARIES Controller Hardware in The Loop (CHIL), 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 qualified source the solicitation document 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 NAICS code applicable to this SSN is 334515 (Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals).

The following links are being provided for convenience:

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

Submission Requirements:

For companies interested in competing for the “Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) for NREL-ARIES Controller Hardware in The Loop (CHIL)” RFP, please submit the following to Alex Joseph at ASP.Responses@nrel.gov with this subject line: “SS-2024020415 - “your company name”” on or before 5:00 p.m. (MST), 5/15/2024 Your submission response is limited to 2-5 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:

Equipment 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 attachment

Requirements – Attachment A

4. Rough Order of Magnitude Estimate (ROM Estimate)

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.

If a solicitation is conducted and an award is resulting, a SAM registration is required to be active at time of award.