tinker_afb_thermal_storage_rfi.pdf

Tinker AFB | Request for Information (RFI)

Special Notice: Request for Information Thermal Storage Technologies for Mission Assurance at Tinker AFB

Document Type: Request for Information (RFI)

Issuing Agency: Department of the Air Force

Response Date: 30 days from date of publication

Primary Contact: Zachary Bright (72ABW/CENPD)

Disclaimer & Notice: This is a Request for Information (RFI). This RFI shall not be construed as a Request for Proposal (RFP), a lease solicitation, or any obligation on the part of the Government. The Government does not intend to select or qualify proposals or offers on the basis of this RFI or otherwise pay for information obtained via this RFI or in response to this notice. No basis for claim against the Government shall arise as a result of a response to this RFI.

1. Introduction & Objective This market research is in support of the Department of the Air Force’s strategic priority to build resilient energy and water systems for mission assurance. 10 U.S. Code § 101 defines “energy resilience” as the ability to avoid, prepare for, minimize, adapt to, and recover from anticipated and unanticipated energy disruptions in order to ensure energy availability and reliability sufficient to provide for mission assurance and readiness, including mission essential operations related to readiness, and to execute or rapidly reestablish mission essential requirements.

The Government is performing market research to determine the feasibility of contracting for various natural gas (or thermal substitute) storage technologies for the purpose of providing energy resilience to Tinker Air Force Base (AFB). The Government is specifically interested in gaining a better understanding of technology, capacity, economics, and integration of on-site natural gas storage (or thermal substitute) for critical loads. This natural gas storage would satisfy Air Force Policy Directive 90-17 Section 2.7, requiring the capability to support critical mission loads independent of commercial utility systems for a minimum of seven days. The solution must comply with all applicable United Facility Criteria (UFCs), standoff distances from installation and community assets, and other relevant military standards.

2. Site & Integration Constraints The largest site available is a circular area of 785,000 square feet with a radius of 500 feet from the nearest asset on Tinker AFB. The proposed solution must be capable of microgrid operation for natural gas (or thermal substitute).

As defined in 10 U.S. Code § 2911(h)(3) (Reference e), a microgrid is an integrated energy system consisting of interconnected loads and energy resources that, if necessary, can be removed from the local utility grid and function as an integrated, stand-alone system.

3. Operating Conditions The thermal storage system shall be designed and optimized to meet the Government’s respective requirements under two (2) operating conditions: Normal Operation and Utility Outage Operation.

3.1 Normal Operation

Normal Operation is defined as periods where Tinker AFB can draw natural gas from external utility sources.

• Interconnection: The thermal storage system would be interconnected to the privatized natural gas distribution system.

• Capacity: Provide Tinker AFB with 58,800 MMBTU or greater of natural gas (or thermal substitute) energy storage.

• Demand Support: Capable of supporting a 350 MMBTU/hour demand.

3.2 Utility Outage Operation

Utility Outage Operation is defined as periods where Tinker AFB operates independently from the natural gas transmission system in an islanded mode for a minimum of 168 consecutive hours (7 days).

• Fuel Substitution: The thermal storage system must be capable of delivering natural gas (or substitute) to critical facilities (interconnected with natural gas distribution lines).

• Capacity & Demand: Provide Tinker AFB with 58,800 or greater MMBTU of thermal energy storage capable of supporting a 350 MMBTU/hour demand.

• Islanding Capability: The system must have the capability to isolate/island from the utility grid to increase thermal availability to critical mission functions during periods of natural gas unavailability.

• Black-Start Capability: The system must be capable of a “black-start,” meaning it can begin operation and integrate with the necessary loads without reliance on power from the electrical grid or pressure from the commercial gas utility.

4. Requested Information (RFI Responses) Interested parties are requested to provide responses addressing the following areas:

• Entity Profile: Name and brief description to include type of entity (i.e., partnership, corporation, etc.) of the public or private organization or business potentially interested in developing energy generation as stated above for Tinker AFB.

• Contact Details: Business address, website address, and points of contact (including name, position, telephone number, and email address) for the submitted information.

• Relevant Experience: Current and relevant experience, or comparable commercial experience, in developing, constructing, and operating energy generation and resilience assets.

• Proposed Technology & Configuration: Proposed technology or combination of technologies.

Include all generation and resilience technologies, potential capacity (in MMBTU), islanding capability, a notional interconnection configuration for both the natural gas distribution system and the electrical system (if required for system operation), including any necessary control integrations, and other requirements (e.g., water, fuel, infrastructure, equipment). Specifically address:

• Reasons for suggesting the specific technology and plan.

• Expected annual fuel requirements and responsibilities for the proposed configuration.

• Notional project development timeline to reach operation.

• Land required for the proposed concept.

• If applicable, how the concept would utilize an interruptible natural gas tariff or other revenue streams to help finance the system.

• Proposed ownership model, to include maintenance responsibilities.

• Cybersecurity & Control Systems: A description of the proposed control system architecture and a conceptual approach to cybersecurity, including how the system will be protected from cyber threats and operate in a communication-contested environment.

• Acquisition Strategies: Proposed acquisition strategies.

• Cost Breakout: Estimated cost breakout, based on the proposed ownership model and acquisition strategies.

5. Submission Instructions Responses must be submitted via email as Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF attachments. Submissions must adhere to the following guidelines:

• Page Limit: Not exceeding ten (10) pages (8.5 inches × 11 inches) or five (5) pages if printed two-sided.

• File Size: Not exceeding 10 Megabytes (MB) total.

• Exclusions: Facsimile submissions will not be accepted. Cover letters and extraneous materials

(brochures, pamphlets, etc.) will not be considered.

• Evaluation: The Government will analyze all submitted information to determine the most appropriate technology and acquisition strategy.

Primary Point of Contact For questions or submission of responses, please contact:

Zachary Bright

72ABW/CENPD

Email: Zachary.bright.1@us.af.mil mailto:Zachary.bright.1@us.af.mil