24NC0330 Integrated Resource Planning Technical Services

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is seeking a contractor to provide Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) Technical Services through a Request for Proposal (RFP) with the solicitation number 24NC0330. The primary objective is to assist staff in implementing and improving the IRP process to effectively contribute to the state's greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals. The contractor will be responsible for conducting comprehensive technical services including capacity expansion modeling, resource potential assessments, transmission planning, and supporting various stages of the IRP cycle. Key deliverables include developing work plans, progress reports, conducting stakeholder workshops, updating capacity expansion models, and performing technical research across 17 distinct deliverable categories. The evaluation criteria are rigorous, with a two-stage process totaling 1,022 possible points: Stage 1 focuses on Experience and Approach (642 points, requiring a minimum of 276 points to advance) and Stage 2 covers Cost Evaluation (380 points). The proposal submission deadline is March 3, 2025, at 10:00 AM Pacific Time, for a six-year contract term.

The RFP includes a mandatory 3% Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation requirement, which can be spread across different subcontractors. Prime contractors must have their own capacity expansion modeling capabilities and cannot fully outsource this core function, though subcontractors may provide assistance. The total contract value is not to exceed $18 million over the six-year period, with pricing structured to include individual hourly rates for team members and potential annual rate escalators for Optional Years 5 and 6. Contractors must provide a capacity expansion model that is publicly available at no cost to stakeholders, with no licensing requirements. The selected vendor will be expected to immediately support ongoing work related to the 2024-2026 IRP cycle, including portfolio development for the 2026-2027 Transmission Planning Process (TPP). Successful bidders must demonstrate extensive experience with California's power market, comprehensive understanding of Commission processes, and ability to coordinate with other state agencies including the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) and California Energy Commission (CEC).