RFP 26-023_SolarPanelRFP

The Bibb County School District in Macon, Georgia, is seeking a qualified contractor through RFP 26-023 to design, engineer, build, operate, maintain, and decommission a turn-key solar photovoltaic (PV) system at the Innovation and Technology Academy. The project requires a comprehensive solar energy procurement agreement with a contract term between 20 and 30 years. Proposers must submit complete documentation through the BONFIRE online platform by January 19, 2025, at 9:00 AM EST, with a mandatory pre-bid meeting and site visit scheduled for January 7, 2025, at 4580 Cavalier Drive. The evaluation will be based on a 100-point system, including organizational experience (25 points), design and technical approach (20 points), program readiness (10 points), additional benefits (5 points), fee proposal/SEPA pricing (35 points), and references (5 points). Bidders must provide a detailed fee proposal including cost per kilowatt-hour with an annual escalator not exceeding 2%, total system cost, and comprehensive pricing for all associated professional services, labor, materials, equipment, permits, and overhead.

The district strongly encourages participation from minority and small business enterprises, with specific workforce development requirements that include training at least four local workers and providing two information sessions to local disadvantaged business enterprises. Contractors must demonstrate the ability to provide a performance and payment bond sufficient for project completion and maintain commercial general liability insurance with minimum limits of $250,000 per occurrence. The project requires local laborers to comprise at least 75 percent of the on-site workforce when available in Bibb County and surrounding counties. Proposers must submit multiple certifications, including E-Verify compliance, non-debarment certification, non-collusion affidavits, and employment non-discrimination certifications. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the comprehensive nature of the solar PV system procurement suggests a significant investment in renewable energy infrastructure for the school district, with the selected contractor assuming full financial responsibility for system financing, design, construction, installation, interconnection, operation, and maintenance.