RFP-42-19 ESPC Maysville and Big Sandy Community Colleges

RFP-42-19 is an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) procurement issued by the Commonwealth of Kentucky's Finance Cabinet, Division of Engineering & Contract Administration, on behalf of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) for Maysville Community College and Big Sandy Community College. The procurement seeks qualified Energy Services Companies (ESCOs) to develop comprehensive energy savings performance contracts that include technical audits, design, installation, operations and maintenance, training, measurement and verification, and performance guarantees. The scope of work encompasses multiple facilities across several locations: Maysville CTC facilities in Maysville, Licking Valley, and Mt. Sterling; Big Sandy CTC facilities in Prestonsburg, Mayo, Hager Hill, and Pikeville; and the Rowan Campus in Morehead. Proposers must address HVAC systems, energy management controls, lighting, hot water systems, building envelopes, renewable energy, water conservation devices, and related ancillary benefits to reduce energy and water consumption and operational costs. Evaluation criteria are weighted as follows: Project Management (30%), Technical Approach (40%), Financial Approach (20%), Legal Approach (10%), Existing Workload versus Capacity (20%), Responsiveness to RFP (20%), and Oral Presentations/Interviews (60%). ESCOs must demonstrate technical and managerial capabilities, provide financial statements for the past three years, professional engineer certifications, Kentucky engineering permits, insurance documentation meeting specified minimums, performance and payment bonds, and affidavits certifying compliance with campaign finance, tax registration, and non-delinquency requirements. The proposal deadline was August 29, 2018, at 3:00 PM, with a selection committee shortlist meeting scheduled for September 13, 2018, ESCO interviews on September 24, 2018, notice of award on September 24, 2018, and all project development, contract award, and financing to be completed by June 30, 2019. The recommended contract term is twelve years based on financial factors ensuring positive net cash flow for the Owner, with term limits determined by U.S. Treasury policy for qualified energy conservation bonds.

The solicitation documents do not identify any set-aside designations or restrictions limiting responses to specific organization types, disadvantaged enterprises, or minority-owned businesses, indicating the procurement is open to all qualified ESCOs meeting the technical and financial requirements. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are listed in the available documentation. The facility inventory provided encompasses approximately 685,000 square feet of combined space across both institutions, with buildings ranging from 1940s-era structures to facilities completed as recently as 2015, requiring integration with existing building systems and infrastructure. All proposers received utility data baseline information through addenda and pre-proposal meetings, including twelve months of historical billing data for electricity, gas, water, and sewer consumption to support energy savings projections. ESCOs must provide guaranteed minimum annual energy and water savings with combined savings sufficient to cover all project costs including debt service and contractor fees. The Commonwealth indicated the potential use of Kentucky Green Bank funding, with all rebates, credits, tax incentives, and grants accruing to the Commonwealth, though specific contract values or budget ranges are not disclosed in the procurement documents. A maximum of three ESCOs will be selected for interviews, with contract negotiations proceeding with the highest-evaluated firm and the Commonwealth retaining the right to reject any proposal or negotiate with lower-ranked firms if costs are deemed unreasonable.