Expand Photovoltaic (PV) array

Invitation for Bids (IFB) Set-Aside for Small Businesses

NAICS Code: 237130 – Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction

The Vermont National Guard intends to issue an Invitation for Bids to award a single firm fixed-price contract for services, non-personal, to provide all plant, labor, transportation, materials, tools, equipment, appliances and supervision necessary for the Construction to expand the photovoltaic (PV) array to include new 500 KW ground mounted PV array and 250 KW/500 KWH battery array to feed the Fire Station.  Work includes underground electrical lines as needed, extension of base wide Schneider Electric EcoStructure energy management system which will manage the new power assets such as four existing roof inverters, existing generator, batteries, and solar expansion.  Upgrade existing EcoStructure software suite with MicroGrid Operations module at the 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard Base located in South Burlington, Vermont

The contract duration will be 600 calendar days after notice to proceed to include inspection and punch list. This project is set aside 100% for Small Businesses. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 237130, with a small business size standard of $45,000,000. The magnitude of construction is between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000.

The tentative date for issuing the solicitation is on-or-about late June/early July 2023. The pre-bid conference Date, Time and Location will be detailed in the Section 00100 INSTRUSTIOS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS item #4 in the solicitation. Interested contractors are encouraged to attend and shall follow conference registration and base access requirements shown in the solicitation. A site visit will follow the pre-bid conference. All questions for the pre-bid conference must be submitted as detailed in Item #4.

The bid opening date is tentatively planned for on-or-about early August 2023. Actual dates and times will be identified in the solicitation. Interested offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM). To register go to www.SAM.gov. Instructions for registering are on the web page (there is no fee for registration).

The solicitation and associated information will be available only from the Contract Opportunities page at SAM.gov.

Your attention is directed to FAR clause 52.219-14(e)(3) (DEVIATION 2021-O0008), LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING, which states “By submission of an offer and execution of a contract, the Offeror/Contractor agrees in performance of the contract for General construction, it will not pay more than 85 percent of the amount paid by the Government for contract performance, excluding the cost of materials, to subcontractors that are not similarly situated entities. Any work that a similarly situated entity further subcontracts will count towards the prime contractor’s 85 percent subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded”.

In accordance with FAR 36.211(b), the following information is provided:

1. The National Guard has no agency-specific policies or procedures applicable to definitization of equitable adjustments for change orders under construction contracts other than those described at FAR 43.204, DFARS 243.204 and AFARS 5143.204.
2. Data for the prior 3 fiscal years regarding the time required to definitize equitable adjustments for change orders under construction contracts for the National Guard is currently not available, but will be compiled and provided in future announcements.

DISCLAIMER: The official plans and specifications are located on the official government webpage and the Government is not liable for information furnished by any other source. Amendments, if/when issued will be posted to Contract Opportunities for electronic downloading. This will normally be the only method of distributing amendments prior to closing; therefore, it is the offeror’s responsibility to check the website periodically for any amendments to the solicitation. Websites are occasionally inaccessible for various reasons. The Government is not responsible for any loss of Internet connectivity or for an offeror’s inability to access the documents posted on the referenced web pages. The Government will not issue paper copies.

Schneider Electric EcoStructure Energy Management system MicroGrid Operations module is a sole source/brand name specific for compatibility with existing installation systems (noted justifications will be included with solicitation).

In addition to the base work described above, the solicitation will include the following option line items:

Option #1 - Add GMP recloser and Delete GMP RTU.

Option #2 - Change 500 KVA Transformer to 750 KVA Transformer.

Option #3 - Change PV system from 375 KWAC/ 406 KWDC to 437.5 KVAC/ 474 KWDC System.

Option #4 - Change BESS from 125 KW/ 125 KWH to 250 KW/ 250 KWH Output.

Option #5 - Change BESS From 125KW/125KWH to 250 KW/ 500 KWH Output.

Option #6 - Add Stone/Drainage under new solar array.