Utility Scale Solar -Notice of Recommendation of Award

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources issued Request for Proposal 20_1868 for utility-scale solar photovoltaic panel development and installation in the Upper and Northern Lower Peninsulas of Michigan. The RFP was posted on the SIGMA VSS portal on June 11, 2020, with proposals due on August 14, 2020. The procurement sought qualified contractors to develop utility-scale solar projects on two specific sites: Groveland Mine and 7 Mile Pit. The contract structure consists of a 25-year land lease agreement with the selected contractor responsible for the solar photovoltaic panel system. Evaluation was conducted by a Joint Evaluation Committee using five weighted technical criteria totaling 100 points, with a mandatory minimum threshold score of 80 points required for proposals to advance to pricing consideration. Key qualifications and proposal requirements included detailed technical responses, experienced key personnel, and demonstrated capability to develop and operate utility-scale solar facilities. Three bidders submitted proposals: Copper Country Power, LLC; Telamon Enterprise Ventures, LLC; and Utopian Power, LLC, with Copper Country Power, LLC achieving the highest technical score of 97 points.

The award was recommended to Copper Country Power, LLC based on best value determination, reflecting its superior technical score, comprehensive proposal quality, qualified key personnel, and satisfactory pricing for both sites. The total award value for Copper Country Power, LLC was $10,332,900.00, consisting of $6,948,675.00 for the Groveland Mine site and $3,384,225.00 for the 7 Mile Pit site. Telamon Enterprise Ventures, LLC achieved the minimum threshold score of 80 points and submitted contingent pricing of $1,080,000.00 for the 7 Mile Pit site only, contingent upon winning a separate Consumers RFP, while Utopian Power, LLC scored 27 points and did not advance to pricing consideration. The contract award notice was published on September 16, 2020, with a response deadline of September 22, 2020, allowing time for protest or challenge of the award recommendation. Modified lease documents were negotiated and finalized between the selected contractor and the State of Michigan prior to contract execution.