NATURAL GAS SUPPLY & MANAGEMENT SERVICES (Secondary Firm)

The State of Wisconsin Department of Administration is seeking comprehensive natural gas supply and management services for state agencies and facilities statewide through Request for Bid (RFB) No. NGNF1-DB. The procurement aims to secure a vendor that can provide natural gas delivery on a secondary firm basis, or interruptible basis if secondary firm service is unavailable, across 12 geographic areas served by multiple local distribution companies. The contract covers approximately 45 state facilities with a total forecasted annual usage of 10.1 million dekatherms, with all facilities having alternate fuel capability. Key requirements include providing fixed basis pricing for a single one-year term from January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022, with potential for four additional one-year renewals. Vendor qualifications include a minimum of three years' experience in Wisconsin, submission of three to five client references, designated account management, 24/7 customer service availability, online account access, and emergency contact information. The bid was originally due on September 27, 2021, at 2:00 PM Central Daylight Time, with an anticipated award date of October 10, 2021, and a contract start date of January 1, 2022.

The procurement includes permissive preferences for Minority-Owned Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (DVBs), which may receive a five percent price preference. The State of Wisconsin is open to all qualified vendors and does not restrict participation based on business size or type, though suppliers must meet the specified qualifications. No specific incumbent vendors are identified in the solicitation documents. While no explicit budget range is provided, bidders are required to quote pricing as an adder or subtractor to NYMEX LDS (NYMEX Henry Hub Louisiana Delta Index) on a per dekatherms basis for each of the 12 service areas. Utility balancing and cash out fees must be provided as separate line items. Vendors must explain their methodology for determining monthly cash out pricing, disclose hedging fee structures, specify the validity period of fixed basis quotes, and identify any additional fees. The state does not guarantee minimum purchase quantities, emphasizing the variable nature of the potential contract value.