59--Energy Conservation Investment Program (ECIP) and Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPC)increasing need for photovoltaic (PV) panels.

PURPOSE OF THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI): 1.This notice constitutes a Request for Information (RFI) as contemplated by FAR 10.002(b)(2)(iii) and (v). INTRODUCTION: In order to meet United States Army renewable energy and sustainability goals, as well as accommodate increasing need for photovoltaic (PV) panels in the near future, United States Army Corps of Engineers Huntsville Support Center (HNC) is looking for information from industry to help guide a potential future acquisition. Specifically, HNC is considering PV panel* source of supply contract(s) that includes a minimum cumulative order guarantee in return for a discounted unit price available to all PV installers under contract with HNC. The Army is a large quantity PV buyer, but is not recognized as such because the vast majority of PV purchases are made by PV installers under contract with the Army. These proxy purchases only occasionally qualify for quantity discounts. Near future Army projects have a potential value of $70 million in total PV projects, notably from the Energy Conservation Investment Program (ECIP) and Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPC). **NOTE: The minimum order amount would be 5-10% of the potential value. However, it is impractical for the Army to order all its PV requirements at one time each fiscal year. Thus the interest in minimum cumulative order guarantees that would prompt industry to offer maximum discounts for all orders throughout an ordering period. SPECIFIC AREAS OF INTEREST: HNC is interested in finding out what minimum cumulative order guarantees (US dollars) would be necessary for industry to offer corresponding unit price discounts to HNC including PV installers under contract with HNC throughout a specified ordering period (assume one year ordering period for purposes of this RFI). A PV installer under contract with HNC would submit a copy of the HNC contract to the PV supplier. The PV installer holding a supply contract envisioned by this RFI would honor the discount price only for the quantity of PV contracted to be installed. HNC would track PV orders against the minimum cumulative order guarantee and would help the PV supplier confirm installer eligibility for the Army discount. HNC is also interested in the lead time required to fulfill PV panel orders according to different quantities and the current annual production capacity. Purpose of this information is to determine how many PV supply contract sources may be necessary to ensure timely delivery of $70M worth of PV panels in a given year and avoid a backlog of PV panel orders. HNC is interested in identifying sources for technical information about the PV panels as related to sustainable manufacturing processes and Buy American Act compliance. * All PV panels would have to meet Buy American Act (41 U. S. C. 10a et seq) SUBMITTAL INSTRUCTIONS: FAR 52.215-3 Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997) (a) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and proposal costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. (b) Although "proposal" and "offeror" may be used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal. (c) This request for Information is issued for the purpose of: obtaining information to assist the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Huntsville Support Center in developing a contracting strategy for the procurement of discounted photovoltaic (PV) panels either directly or by proxy (HNC contractors with PV panel requirements) (End of Clause) 2. All proprietary material in the submission package shall be clearly identified and will be treated in the strictest confidence. 3. There is no question and answer period for this RFI. 4. Written responses to this RFI specifically addressing the items above (new and innovative approaches, experience, current capabilities), are limited to twenty pages, and should be submitted to Mr. Earl W. Johnson, Contracting Officer, via e-mail at contact@example.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. CST, May 16, 2011.