Agricultural Clean Energy Technical Assistance for USDA REAP Assistance

The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP24004006) seeking a qualified vendor to provide technical assistance to Rhode Island farms applying to the US Department of Agriculture's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The primary objective is to help farmers leverage both state and federal funding opportunities for clean energy projects that reduce the energy burden in the agricultural sector. The selected vendor will assist farmers in navigating the federal REAP application process, complementing the existing technical assistance provided through the Rhode Island Agricultural Energy program (RI AgEP). Vendors must submit comprehensive technical proposals demonstrating their ability to support farmers in developing and submitting REAP applications effectively. The RFP includes a non-mandatory pre-bid conference scheduled for April 2, 2024, at 11:00 AM via Zoom, with a vendor Q&A period running from March 20 to April 8, 2024. Proposals are due by April 18, 2024, at 6:00 PM GMT, with the initial contract period expected to begin around May 1, 2024, for three years and potential renewal options for up to three additional 12-month periods.

The procurement emphasizes participation by Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), Women Business Enterprises (WBEs), and Disability Business Enterprises (DisBEs), collectively referred to as Issuance Business Enterprises (ISBEs). Vendors will be evaluated and scored partially based on their proposed ISBE utilization rates, with additional points awarded for higher participation levels. The RFP requires vendors to maintain specific insurance coverage, including $1,000,000 in general liability, $100,000 in workers compensation, $1,000,000 in automobile liability, and $2,000,000 in professional liability coverage. Vendors must submit separate technical and cost proposals through the Ocean State Procures system, with cost proposals receiving points proportionally based on the lowest bid. While no specific total contract value is provided, the funding is contingent on the availability of federal USDA REAP funds, and the contract will be structured with payment terms to be specified by the vendor. The state reserves the right to award the contract based on the most advantageous proposal, considering technical merit, cost, and ISBE participation, and may cancel the procurement at any time.