RFP-153-21 Design Build FFA Solar Energy Hardinsburg, KY

RFP-153-21 is a design-build solicitation issued by the Commonwealth of Kentucky's Department for Facilities and Support Services, Division of Engineering and Contract Administration, in partnership with the Kentucky Department of Education, for a solar energy project at the Future Farmers of America (FFA) Camp in Hardinsburg, Kentucky, located in Breathitt County. The procurement seeks complete design-build services encompassing the design, provision, installation, and commissioning of a utility grid-tied, ground-mounted photovoltaic solar array system consisting of 62 modules rated at 24.8 kW DC capacity with 21.3 kW AC inverters, designed to produce 31,700 kWh annually in the first year. The design-builder must obtain all necessary regulatory permits and approvals from the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, pay all associated fees, provide comprehensive design documents, execute construction services, and complete system commissioning with all electrical work complying with the National Electrical Code and Kentucky Building Code standards. The project schedule requires substantial completion within 120 calendar days of contract commencement and final completion within 30 calendar days thereafter, with liquidated damages assessed at $250.00 per day for delays in substantial completion and $125.00 per day for delays in final completion. Evaluation criteria include technical qualifications (50 points) assessed through corporate background and capability (15 points), project staff and organizational structure (10 points), past performance and experience (10 points), references (5 points), and required building systems and components (10 points), as well as Guaranteed Maximum Price (50 points). Proposals were due March 9, 2021, at 2:00 P.M. ET via electronic submission through MOVEit, with evaluation and notification scheduled for March 11, 2021, and contract award anticipated in March/April 2021; interested parties were required to schedule pre-proposal site visits by contacting Josh Mitcham at (270) 202-0984 or josh.mitcham@education.ky.gov, and questions regarding the solicitation should be directed to Margaret MacDonald at 502-564-5182 or Margaret.macdonald@ky.gov.

The solicitation documentation does not identify specific set-asides or restrictions limiting responses to disadvantaged or minority-owned enterprises, nor does it reference any incumbent vendors or current contractors requiring integration with existing infrastructure. The contract is firm-fixed with a maximum not-to-exceed budget of $55,000.00 for all design and construction work; however, proposers may bid higher amounts if they determine reasonable cost overages are necessary. Responses must be accompanied by a 5 percent bid guarantee of the Guaranteed Maximum Price, and the selected design-builder must provide 100 percent Performance and Payment Bonds. The design-builder is responsible for all temporary utilities, site conditions, erosion control, permitting, and compliance with Kentucky Building Code, and must provide a 3-year full service warranty along with the manufacturer's 25-year power production warranty on modules. All General Conditions for Design Builder contracts apply, requiring the design-builder to begin design work within ten calendar days of award, mobilize construction within fifteen calendar days of commencement, maintain commercial general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence with $3,000,000 annual aggregate, submit a construction schedule in Critical Path Method format if the contract exceeds $1,000,000, and adhere to payment, retainage, and warranty procedures as outlined in the contract documents.