RFP-JC-3940 (Utility-scale Energy Generation Study)

The Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) in Riverside County, California, is conducting a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP-JC-3940) to procure professional energy consulting services for a comprehensive utility-scale energy generation study. The primary objective is to engage a qualified energy consultant to evaluate rules, regulations, and market-related opportunities associated with utility-scale power generation that would enable EMWD to reduce its reliance on retail electricity providers by 30%, 60%, and 90%, thereby providing long-term benefits to the district and its approximately one million ratepayers across its 601-square-mile service area. The selected consultant must deliver a detailed study that includes recommendations on optimal project size, location, equipment, technology configurations, site control feasibility, interconnection assessment, regulatory requirements, environmental impacts, and potential partnerships with other agencies. Key qualifications include minimum ten years of experience for the consulting firm and five years of experience for key personnel working with public agencies, with preferred certifications including Certified Energy Manager, LEED, Certified Renewable Energy Professional, and Project Management Professional credentials with energy focus expertise. The consultant must maintain professional liability insurance of $4,000,000 per claim and annual aggregate, commercial general liability of $2,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate, and cyber liability of $1,000,000 per claim with $2,000,000 annual aggregate. An optional pre-proposal conference is scheduled for May 28, 2026, at 11:00 AM PDT via Microsoft Teams; written questions must be submitted by June 3, 2026, at 2:00 PM PDT with responses provided by June 15, 2026, at 4:00 PM PDT; proposals are due electronically by June 25, 2026, at 4:00 PM PDT; interviews are anticipated for July 13, 2026; board recommendation is expected on September 16, 2026; and contract execution is anticipated by October 1, 2026, with project completion required by December 7, 2026. Evaluation criteria include organization and personnel qualifications, price competitiveness, staff availability and responsiveness, performance history with a minimum of five non-EMWD client references, exceptions to RFP terms, project schedule and deliverables, detailed work plan demonstrating understanding of EMWD's needs, insurance affidavit compliance (pass/fail), Cal-OSHA safety compliance history (pass/fail), and local office presence near EMWD's service area.

There are no stated set-aside designations, disadvantaged enterprise restrictions, or limitations on types of organizations eligible to respond to this RFP. The solicitation documents indicate no incumbent vendors or current contractors referenced for this new study initiative. The proposal must address integration with EMWD's existing renewable energy portfolio, as supporting documentation regarding EMWD's current energy infrastructure and sustainability initiatives has been provided to bidders for contextual understanding. Compensation shall be provided on a time and expense basis with an all-inclusive final price; EMWD will determine the maximum contract amount to be specified in the final contract documents, though this maximum has not been disclosed in the RFP materials. All costs including labor, materials, equipment, transportation, overhead, profit, insurance, applicable sales and use taxes, tariffs, licenses, permits, and travel must be included in proposers' single line-item pricing, and EMWD encourages early payment discounts as part of the evaluation process. The selected consultant's work product shall become the exclusive property of EMWD with an irrevocable, perpetual, nonexclusive, royalty-free license granted to the district. Prevailing wage requirements do not apply to this engagement, and the contract includes no renewal options.