MPA 623 Retail Energy Suppliers for Electricity and Natural Gas

The State of Rhode Island Division of Purchases is issuing a Master Price Agreement (MPA 623) to pre-qualify retail energy suppliers of electricity and natural gas through an Open Enrollment Vendor Assessment (OEV). The solicitation, numbered OEV23002884, seeks vendors registered with the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission who can serve the energy needs of state facilities, partner facilities, and operations in Providence County and across the state. Qualified vendors will be added to a pre-approved list from which state agencies, quasi-governmental organizations, municipalities, and legislative and judicial branches can request price quotes for specific energy supply projects. Vendors must submit proposals electronically through the Ocean State Procures system, with initial proposals due by July 19, 2023 at 2:00 PM EDT. The initial contract period will begin approximately September 1, 2023, for three years, with options to renew for two additional 12-month periods based on vendor performance and funding availability. Evaluation will be conducted on a pass/fail basis, assessing vendor qualifications, experience, licensing, and compliance with state requirements.

The solicitation includes specific requirements for minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses, mandating that when specific projects arise, at least one of three quotes must come from MBE/WBE/VBE certified vendors if such vendors are available on the qualified list. Vendors must submit an MBE Participation Acknowledgment Form and maintain specific insurance coverage, including $1 million in liability coverage, $100,000 in workers compensation, and $1 million in automobile liability. A 1% contract administrative fee will be assessed on all purchase orders issued under the MPA. While no specific award value or budget range is explicitly stated, the open-ended nature of the solicitation suggests flexibility in potential contract volumes. There are no incumbent vendor references provided, and the solicitation does not indicate any existing infrastructure or technology integration requirements. The state reserves the right to make single or multiple awards and to review and remove vendors from the qualified list at its discretion, ensuring a competitive and adaptable procurement process for energy supply services.