RFP Amendment No. 1.pdf

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION

Request for Proposal for Modification

No. SUB-2025-10263 Amendment No. 01

Date: 5/2/2025

ISSUED BY:

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

15013 Denver West Parkway

Golden, CO 80401

PROJECT NAME: "Equipment Enclosure for PEM

Megawatt-Scale Low Temperature Electrolyzer"

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth below. The hour and date specified for receipt of offers

[ X] is not extended. Offers due 6/20/2025

FAILURE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AMENDMENT MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER.

EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE SOLICITATION DOCUMENT

REMAIN UNCHANGED AND IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT.

Subcontract Administrator: Todd Labosky

Description:

The Purpose of this Amendment is to answer questions.

Questions and answers are below.

Question 1: Verify that only the walls need insulated to R10 or better.

Answer 1: Walls and Roof will need to be insulated to R10 or better.

Question 2: Verify the roof mounted ventilation system is not provided or installed by the Sub-Contractor.

Answer 2: Roof mounted ventilation will be provided by NREL. Roof penetrations to accommodate ventilation will be provided by subcontractor.

Question 3: Is there a need for the Sub-Contractor to provide a separate ventilation system in addition to what's mentioned above?

Answer 3: No additional ventilation will be necessary.

Question 4: Clarify all cutouts are open. No bulkheads, roxtec inserts, pass throughs are required?

Answer 4: All cutouts are open. No additional bulkheads or inserts are necessary.

Question 5: Is there a need for lights, electrical outlets, electrical panel, data ports, data patch panels in the enclosure?

Answer 5: NREL will be responsible for installing electrical for these enclosures.

Question 6: Are there any interior finishes other than painted steel? Color preference?

Answer 6: No additional interior finishes besides painted steel are necessary. A lighter color is preferred

(white, tan, etc.)

Question 7: What exterior color is preferred? Is direct to metal coating acceptable?

Answer 7: A lighter exterior color is preferred (white, tan, etc.). Direct to metal coating is acceptable.

Questions 8: 12' height is mentioned. Is the exterior building height to be 12' or the interior clear height 12'?

Answer 8: exterior dimension of 12’ is desired.

Questions 9: Preferred delivery date is Sept 2025 but proposals are not due until 6/20/25. This short timeline is not feasible. What is the project timeline?

Answer 9: As stated in the RFP, NREL realizes that September 2025 is an aggressive timeline and may not be feasible. We are requesting a proposed timeline/schedule from offerors as part of the proposal and NREL will be factoring in the timeline/schedule into the proposal scoring.

Question 10: What are "industry and regulatory" compliance requirements?

Answer 10: This essentially means subcontractor should design and construct structure to listed codes (NFPA

2, and IBC) and should use industry best practices. We are mostly concerned with the egress and non-combustible materials portions of NFPA 2. NREL can provide the necessary ventilation and other electrical requirements. This request is for the mechanical build portion of the code only.

Question 11: What are the specific Quality control/inspection/testing requirements and/or deliverables required?

Answer 11: Approval of 80% and 100% design drawings (transmitted by email) will be required. Either photo/video documentation of construction and/or an onsite inspection by NREL representative at designated stages of construction will suffice for NREL’s review. NREL encourages subcontractor to use their standard inspection/testing/QC control for their internal review of the enclosures.

Question 12: Please provide an equipment layout and confirm that equipment will be provided, installed, and connected by others. Please confirm the coordination of such equipment is by others.

Answer 12: Estimated equipment weight loading and layout will be provided as a separate attached document. Equipment will be provided, installed, and connected by NREL and NREL will coordinate this equipment. Subcontractor will only need to accommodate weight loadings dictated by NREL.

Question 13: Please confirm if delivery location is federally owned property. If not on federally owned property, please indicate who the local AHJ is.

Answer 13: Delivery location is Federally owned property. Any AHJ related questions will be determined by

NREL’s on staff AHJ’s for the federal site.

Question 14: Please indicate the specific codes and standards that the building is to follow. Will the building be occupied by people? Is the entire building to be compliant with NFPA 2?

Answer 14: This enclosure will not be permanently occupied by people but people will enter the enclosure for maintenance and installation activities. The preferred code list is as follows:

NFPA 2 – This enclosure will be considered an Hydrogen Equipment Enclosure that generates hydrogen per

NFPA 2. NREL can work with subcontractor for specific interpretation of these code requirements if necessary.

IBC – International building code. We will want to be compliant with IBC code standards and any codes that are required by Colorado for an equipment containing building that people may enter but will not permanently occupy.

Only the mechanical build portion of the codes will be required. NREL will provide code requirements that require electrical/ventilation.

Question 15: Please indicate the equipment that is expected to be in the building when lifted.

Answer 15: NREL will provide initial estimated layout for equipment that may be in the enclosure during lift in a separate document. This load will be significantly lower than the on ground loads of the enclosure.

Question 16: What equipment will be mounted on the roof? What equipment will be mounted on the ceiling?

Answer 16: NREL will provide estimated initial equipment roof weights and ceiling mounted equipment in a separate attached document.

Question 17: SOW indicates the requirement for 155 MPH wind speed and also indicates the modules will sit on gravel pads. Please advise. What is the intent for anchoring the buildings?

Answer 17: Anchoring can be flexible in design. If enclosure can be demonstrated to be heavy enough itself to withstand 155 MPH winds that will be sufficient (prevailing wind direction will be into narrow end of combined structure. See update layout drawings). If additional weight is necessary, precast concrete pads can be provided by NREL at direction of subcontractor to meet wind requirements. All utilities connections provided by NREL will be flexible to accommodate some movement or settling of the combined structure.

Question 18: 30% structural drawings will not be offered with the proposal. This would require design resources that will only be employed after receipt of a PO. Please acknowledge.

Answer 18: NREL will still accept proposals without 30% structural drawings. However, the proposal will need to present enough detail and/or examples of similar structures to allow quantitative scoring of the proposal.

Question 19: Unlike previous RFPs of this project, this opportunity does not include electrical components, HVAC components or fire safety components, Is that correct?

a. In essence, this is a mechanical build only.

Answer 19: Yes, this is correct this request is for a mechanical build only.

Question 20: We understand task 4.4 of the SOW but can we assume the actual installation will be done by others?

b. Can / should we provide on-site installation guidance?

Answer 20: Installation is under NREL’s scope to aid simplicity. On-site installation and guidance can be provided by the subcontractor if they would like as long as the personnel who would be working onsite comply with the site requirements of NREL. Site access limitations are based on site access requirements which include some citizenship requirements, proof of compliance with safe work practices, and proof of completion of trainings that NREL will require. An exact list can be provided after award of PO.

Question 21: Clarification: Are there any floor penetrations? If so, where and how large? It does not appear to have any….just need to clarify.

Answer 21: There are no floor penetrations planned for this enclosure. All utilities will be through wall penetrations.

Question 22: Per SOW, “A short secondary containment wall (4-9” tall) shall run along the full length of the bottom connection seam where the BOP Container and the Stack Container connect”

c. Can we assume that this wall is 4’-9” tall, not 4 to 9” tall?

d. Can this short wall be built and integrated into the BOP container or the Stack Container and not necessarily rest on the seam? If so, which container?

Answer 22: No, please assume this wall will be 6” tall. This wall can be built and integrated into the Stack

Container side of the enclosure.

Question 23: Per your RFP, the enclosures will be placed on flat, compacted gravel. Will the site be laser-leveled to ensure a proper and accurate marriage of the two halves? On an enclosure of this size, a small deviation can impact the connection of the two halves greatly.

Answer 23: The site is not currently planned to be laser leveled. However, this can be provided if necessary.

Similar to the question on anchoring NREL can work with the subcontractor to provide an adequate site. A poured concrete foundation WILL NOT be able to be provided but precast concrete pads or footings can be provided to assist connection of enclosures if necessary. A perfect coupling of level containers is not required but weather tight sealing is.

Question 24: Preferred delivery states September of 2025, however, section 6.0 of your SOW does not align with that date. In fact, it is much later. Please clarify.

Answer 24: September of 2025 is the earliest NREL will be able to receive the enclosure. NREL realizes that

September 2025 is an aggressive timeline and may not be feasible. We are requesting a proposed timeline/schedule from offerors as part of the proposal and will be factoring in the timeline/schedule into the proposal scoring. Section 6.0 of the SOW lists deliverable due dates in a more realistic timeline, but we hope offerors have the capability to meet and propose quicker timelines.

Question 25: For all access panels, we will build a bulkhead frame for each one. They will bolt-on and bolt-off and will be weathertight. Additionally, each panel will have two permanent lifting lugs to minimize swing. NREL will be responsible for the lifting mechanism and the process for the bolt on-off panels.

Answer 25: This is acceptable.

Structural Design & Engineering

Question 26: Will NREL require PE-stamped structural drawings by a Colorado-licensed engineer for both the

Stack and BOP containers?

Answer 26: PE stamps will not be required as long as the subcontractor can guarantee the enclosures can be lifted without damage. However, PE stamps by a Colorado licensed PE are preferred and will be reflected in selection scoring of the proposals. It is not required to be a Colorado licensed engineer as long as the engineer maintains a PE certification in the United States.

Question 27: Are there preferred design standards beyond NFPA 2 that NREL expects us to comply with (e.g., ASCE 7 for wind load, AISC for steel construction)?

Answer 27: IBC is also a preferred design standard in addition to NFPA 2. Proposals will be scored by confidence in design of the subcontractor. Additional design codes are not required but will assist scoring of the proposal in the selection process.

Question 28: Can NREL confirm whether the enclosures will be lifted with internal equipment installed (e.g., full tanks, electrochemical stacks), or if all equipment will be field-installed post-placement?

Answer 28: NREL will provide an initial estimated equipment load in a separate attached document. The equipment will be significantly lighter than during actual operation. Expected equipment will be motors/pumps, empty water tanks, and electrical panels. Electrochemical stacks will NOT be lifted in enclosure. This requirement is due to site production and enclosure delivery times. If site is not fully completed at the time of enclosure delivery the enclosures will be staged in a secondary area and installation of internal equipment will start then the enclosures will be craned into final enclosure location for final internal equipment install and commissioning.

Question 29: Does NREL require formal rigging plans with lifting certifications submitted as part of the design package?

Answer 29: A formal lift plan with lifting certifications would be preferred but not required. Lift points in enclosures will need to be adequate to lift structures safely. NREL’s crane contractor will be responsible for generating/reviewing formal lift plan and may request information (communicated through NREL) for specific lift requirements.

Environmental and Weatherization Performance

Question 30: Does NREL have a preferred minimum ingress protection (IP) rating for container joints, doors, and removable panels (e.g., IP65 or higher)?

Answer 30: IP53 is likely sufficient for this. The site has significant windblown sand and rain several times per year. The goal is to keep dust from accumulating that would damage standard electronic panels and bus bars.

Enclosures will have float switches on floor to detect water ingress or water leaks from equipment so prevention of water ingress from natural sources (rain/snow, windblown rain/snow) will be required.

Enclosures are not planned to be pressure washed or sprayed.

Question 31: For Flatirons Campus weatherization, should we assume snow load and wind-driven rain considerations? Are snow load criteria for rooftop fall protection or equipment support available?

Answer 31: Please use the standard snow load and wind driven rain considerations for the delivery address of the enclosures. These enclosures will be subject to all weather conditions at NREL’s Flatirons site for several decades.

Question 32: Will NREL require continuous insulation across the wall assemblies to achieve the R-10 rating, or are discontinuities at joints/panels acceptable if sealed?

Answer 32: Discontinuity at joints/panels are acceptable if sealed. However, large side panels on the Stack and BOP sides of the enclosure will be to be insulated for as much of the opening space of the panel as reasonable. For example the panel does not need to be insulated on the portion that overlaps and/or attaches the panel to the wall of the enclosure but the center section of the panel that covers the opening will need insulation with an acceptable perimeter gap to allow removal and installation of the panel.

Doors, Panels & Access Points

Question 33: Are alignment features (rests, guides) required for all removable bolt-on access panels, or only those above a certain size or weight class?

Answer 33: Alignment features are preferred for panels that require multiple people or equipment to lift.

Panels larger than 50 lbs and larger than 4’ x 4’ should have alignment features.

Question 34: Are interior egress requirements applicable to man doors (e.g., panic hardware, swing direction, NFPA exit signage)?

Answer 34: Yes, NFPA 2 egress requirements are applicable to man doors in the enclosures. Platforms and/or stairs to meet these requirements are acceptable and can be shipped separated from enclosures.

Question 35: For the door damper feature, would NREL accept a mechanical stay or magnetic hold open system in lieu of a traditional hydraulic damper?

Answer 35: Yes, NREL will accept methods other than hydraulic damper. The intent of the damper is to aid control of the door when opening doors in winds up to 40 mph. So, a hydraulic damper is not required but any hold open features will need to be strong enough to hold doors in 40 mph winds. Prevailing wind direction will be added to the layout drawing to assist door design.

Equipment Loads and Floor Capacity

Question 36: Will NREL provide final loading layouts and anchoring requirements for the 5x electrochemical systems and 5x water tanks, or should we assume distributed loads only?

Answer 36: NREL will provide final loading layouts and anchoring for the 5x water tanks in the attached layout drawing. The 5x electrochemical systems can assume distributed loads as the electrochemical equipment will change and vary throughout operation of the enclosures.

Question 37: Can you confirm that the floor system is only required to meet static live loads, or are dynamic/fatigue considerations expected due to tank filling/draining or equipment startup?

Answer 37: Water Tanks will be filled and emptied on a regular basis. The design intent for these is for emptying and filling to be slow enough to be a pseudo static live load. The tanks will never be moved while filled with water so only dynamic consideration would be in a fixed location in the vertical direction only for the water tanks.

Question 38: Will raised grating or secondary spill containment be part of our scope, or is the 4-9” perimeter wall the only containment requirement?

Answer 38: The 6” containment is the only containment requirement. Raised grating and other secondary containment will be installed by NREL if it becomes necessary.

Ventilation & Roof Support

Question 39: Are specs for the 42”x42” ventilation units available, or should we design for placeholder loads and reserve framing space only?

Answer 39: For now please assume place holder loads and reserve framing space. Ventilation units are still in selection process and final design will be communicated to subcontractor as soon as possible after PO issue.

Question 40: Does the the 10,000-lb roof equipment support require point load verification, or can we assume uniformly distributed load (UDL) across the welded struts?

Answer 40: Load layout for the roof will be provided in a separate attached document. The intent is to hang electrical bus bars from the ceiling so load will be a distributed point load. Spacing of the points can be flexible and will have to be developed with NREL.

Question 41: Is fall protection on the roof expected to be an OSHA-compliant tie-off system installed by Hutton, or a provision-only (e.g., roof anchors for others to connect to)?

Answer 41: Osha compliant tie off points are strongly preferred however only the provisions are required.

Coordination & Delivery Logistics

Question 42: Will a crane be provided at the Flatirons Campus for offloading, or should Hutton include crane scope and offload coordination?

Answer 42: NREL has a preferred crane subcontractor that will assist with the unload and will need to be coordinated with delivery. The subcontractor can provide a crane of their own but will have to meet NREL site requirements if they choose to provide a crane of their own.

Question 43: Are there site-specific transport constraints such as clearance limitations, travel time restrictions, or escort requirements for delivery of 12’ wide units?

Answer 43: Subcontractor will be responsible for travel limitations over the road to the Flatirons site.

Once at the Flatirons site there are no travel restrictions that are more strict than public road travel in Colorado. Delivery must be made between 7:30 am and 4pm Monday through Friday. After-hours or weekend delivery is not available.

Question 44: Will access control or site security coordination (badging, escorting) be required for delivery crews?

Answer 44: Yes, delivery must be made between 7:30 am and 4 pm Monday through Friday.

Afterhours or weekend delivery is not available. The site is a secured government facility. Delivery driver will have to comply with government delivery requirements and check in at front gate where security/NREL personnel will assist with direction to the unload location.

Documentation & Closeout

Question 45: For the As-Built submittals, does NREL require fabrication-level detail, or just redlines to issued IFC drawings?

Answer 45: Redlines to IFC drawings are sufficient. The intent is to document and capture any changes between the IFC drawings and the final product.

Question 46: Will the technical monitor require a commissioning checklist or functional test for weather tightness or access panel usability?

Answer 46: The commissioning checklist will be for structural compliance and installation of the structures. A formal test of weather tightness or panel access will not be required.

Question 47: Are proprietary photo documentation watermarks or branding allowed if photo model releases are also submitted?

Answer 47: Yes, proprietary photo documentation watermarks or branding of design drawings or paperwork is allowed. However, photos taken at NREL of the structure will be publicly published and open record.

Question 48: Can cut sheets of the Stainless-Steel tanks be provided or an overall footprint be identified? This information will be needed to understand the structural needs/weight per foot on the floor system.

Answer 48: Estimated equipment weight loading and layout will be provided as a separate attached document.

8 8

20 2

352 238

HX

6,000 lbs

Water Tank 11,000lb FULL.

Tank will be on 8" wide fork pockets load will be on fork pockets

Pump 2,000lbs

10" Glycol pipe 80 lbs/ft 4,100 lbs total

Water Tank 11,000lb FULL.

HX

6,000 lbs

Water Tank 11,000lb FULL.

HX

6,000 lbs

Entire floor must be rated to IBC industrial worskpace values or higher.

NOTE:

Water Tank 3,000 lbs EMPTY

Enclosure will never be lifted with water tanks full

TOP VIEW

BOP ENCLOSURE

FlOOR LOADING

All dimensions rounded to nearest inch load location may move 6 inches in any direction Locations finalized after PO

Centerline to Stack Container

Outside Wall

A A

B B

4 4

400 lbs for ventilation equipment support 4" perimeter around each roof opening

Centerline to Stack Container

Outside Wall TOP VIEW

BOP ENCLOSURE

ROOF LOADING

Entire Roof must be rated to 200 lbs/sqft in addition to stated loads and snow loading

All dimensions rounded to nearest inch load location may move 6 inches in any direction. Locations finalized after PO.

A A

B B

Electrochemical Stack location. Load will vary in size and weight. Please design for up to 12,500 lbs in the 5' x 5' space and up to 6,000 lbs in 3' X 3' space.

Entire floor must be rated to IBC industrial worskpace values or higher.

Outside wall

TOP VIEW

STACK ENCLOSURE

FLOOR LOADING

Centerline to BOP Container

All dimensions rounded to nearest inch load location may move 6 inches in any direction. Locations finalized after PO.

A A

B B

12 12 12 12 12

All dimensions rounded to nearest inch load location may move 6 inches in any direction. Locations finalized after PO.

Centerline to BOP Container

Outside wall

Electrical bus bar 55lbs/ft 2,750 lbs total

TOP VIEW

STACK ENCLOSURE

ROOF LOADING

Entire Roof must be rated to 100 lbs/sqft in addition to stated loads and snow loading electrical cable will be 500lb load from all Hexagon patterned squares.A A

B B

8 8

20 2

352 238

HX

6,000 lbs

Water Tank 3,000lb EMPTY.

Tank will be on 8" wide fork pockets load will be on fork pockets

Pump 2,000lbs

10" Glycol pipe 80 lbs/ft 4,100 lbs total

Water Tank 3,000lbs EMPTY.

HX

6,000 lbs

Water Tank 3,000lbs EMPTY.

HX

6,000 lbs

Entire floor must be rated to IBC industrial worskpace values or higher.

NOTE:

Water Tank 11,000 lbs FULL

Enclosure will never be lifted with water tanks full

TOP VIEW

BOP ENCLOSURE

FlOOR LOADING FOR LIFT

All dimensions rounded to nearest inch load location may move 6 inches in any direction Locations finalized after PO

Centerline to Stack Container

Outside Wall

A A

B B

4 4

400 lbs for ventilation equipment support 4" perimeter around each roof opening

Centerline to Stack Container

Outside Wall TOP VIEW

BOP ENCLOSURE

ROOF LOADING

FOR LIFT

Entire Roof must be rated to 100 lbs/sqft in addition to stated loads and snow loading

All dimensions rounded to nearest inch load location may move 6 inches in any direction. Locations finalized after PO

A A

B B

Entire floor must be rated to IBC industrial worskpace values or higher.

Outside wall

TOP VIEW

STACK ENCLOSURE

FLOOR FOR LIFT

All dimensions rounded to nearest inch load location may move 6 inches in any direction. Locations finalized after PO.

Centerline toward BOP Container

No equipment will be in place for lift

A A

B B

All dimensions rounded to nearest inch load location may move 6 inches in any direction. Locations finalized after PO.

Centerline to BOP Container

Outside wall

TOP VIEW

STACK ENCLOSURE

ROOF LOADING

FOR LIFT

Entire Roof must be rated to 100 lbs/sqft in addition to stated loads and snow loading

No equipment will be in place for lift

A A

B B

Sheet4

Sheet4a

Sheet4a

Sheet4