Addendum #4 RFP-DNR- PPA for Oden Isolation Bldg-

The State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources, in conjunction with the Department of Technology, Management and Budget Procurement, is soliciting proposals through Request for Proposal (RFP) 20_1376 for the design, financing, installation, and operation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems at the Oden Fish Hatchery in Emmet County. The primary procurement involves a 50 kW ground-mounted solar array for the Isolation Building, which currently consumes 52,000 to 90,000 kilowatt-hours annually, with an optional secondary proposal to include a 10 kW array for the Visitor Center, which uses approximately 11,000 to 12,000 kWh annually. Bidders must provide comprehensive proposals including system design, financial analysis, installation schedules, performance guarantees, and operational plans under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) structure for up to 25 years, with the State preferring no capital outlay and flat-rate pricing competitive with the current electricity cost of $0.137 per kilowatt-hour. The contractor must assume full responsibility for all permitting, environmental compliance, interconnection with Consumers Energy, and civil works, including potential land clearing, and must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws while maintaining equipment meeting UL safety standards and Michigan Building Code requirements, including 25-year warranties on solar panels and racking and 10-year warranties on inverters. Liquidated damages of $5,000 plus $100 per day apply for late completion, with additional penalties assessed if annual production falls below 80 percent of designed capacity, and the contractor must provide annual performance reports and remote system monitoring. The mandatory site visit was scheduled for March 19, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time, with the deadline for bidder questions set at March 23, 2020, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time; proposals were due April 8, 2020, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, with an anticipated contract commencement of June 1, 2020, and preferred construction completion by December 31, 2020. The evaluation process weighted technical proposals at 80 percent and cost proposals at 20 percent, with awards determined by a Joint Evaluation Committee.

The State reserves the right to consider disabled veteran-owned business status, prior State performance, overall economic impact to Michigan, and total cost of ownership in its evaluation and award determination, though no specific set-aside designations or restrictions limiting response to particular organization types are detailed in the procurement documents. No incumbent vendor or existing solar contractor is identified in the solicitation materials, indicating an open procurement for qualified vendors capable of demonstrating prior PPA project experience and established relationships with Consumers Energy. Bidders must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage including commercial general liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 general aggregate, umbrella liability of $5,000,000, automobile liability of $1,000,000 per accident, and workers' compensation insurance as required by law, and must execute a Land Lease Agreement with annual rent to be determined and a $2,000,000 minimum aggregate liability insurance requirement for the leased premises. Contracts valued at $250,000 or greater require State Administrative Board approval, suggesting potential award values in this range or higher; however, specific budget allocations or maximum award values are not explicitly stated in the available documentation. All proposal submissions remain binding for 180 calendar days from submission date, and the State reserves the right to negotiate its own PPA form following technical evaluation, conduct facility tours and oral presentations, perform reference checks, and award multiple contracts or individual contract activities as deemed appropriate.