Fuel Cell for Wrangell Floating Camp

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. This notice is considered to be Solicitation AG-0116-S-10-0027 and is being issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). This solicitation incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular FAC 2005-38. This requirement is totally set-aside for small business concerns. NAICS code 335999 is applicable. The small business size standard for this code is: 500 employees. Line Item 1: Provide, install, and prepare for operation a Fuel Cell for Wrangell Floating Camp in accordance with attached specification, drawings and terms. Provide with your quote a cost breakdown for materials, labor, transportation, and expenses the work to be performed in Wrangell, Alaska (or at the remote location) to include: - New, unused fuel cell - All associated equipment - All freight costs to Wrangell, Alaska - All travel expenses for travel, lodging, per diem for technician(s) - All wages for technician(s) - All parts and components for storage and approved means of transporting of the fuel - Approximately 50 gallons of fuel supply for commissioning and beginning operation - All other incidental expenses SPECIFICATIONS, TERMS AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION INTRODUCTION Request for quote to provide one commercially available fuel cell and associated equipment that will be placed on a small 4-person float house. The fuel cell will provide backup power to an existing battery bank that is part of an existing solar array/inverter/battery bank electrical system. The fuel cell will run only when the solar array cannot keep the batteries charged. The inverter will automatically start the fuel cell under normal conditions via a dry contact. The fuel cell shall also be able to sense the batteries and start as needed in case the inverter is shut down when not in use. Photos, float layout plan, and existing electrical system one-line diagram are attached. BACKGROUND The float house is used on the Tongass National Forest. Currently the float house is located in the harbor in Wrangell, Alaska. We would like to have the fuel cell installed and operational no later than May 10th, 2010. After that date, the float house will be deployed about 27 miles southeast of Wrangell, Alaska at Anan Bay. At that site, the float house is typically used just during the summer months. However, it can be moved to any location as needed and also be used during the winter months. This project will be part of a pilot study on the use of fuel cells at the remote field camp sites on the Tongass National Forest. ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS Weather and environmental conditions in Southeast Alaska can vary greatly. For example annual rainfall varies from 29 in Skagway to over 200 just 200 miles away. Average annual snowfall can be from 40 to 260. The temperatures can get exceed 80'F on occasion in the summer and dip down into the teens during the winter. The coldest recorded temperature was -28'F in 1991 and highs have been known to hit the 90'F mark. Wind is highly variable - it can be calm one minute and blow for days on end with gusts in access of 100 knots. Our intent is not to place our facility at locations exposed to heavy weather conditions but they have been exposed to these conditions even in the most sheltered areas. Humidity is consistently in the high 90% all year around. The Inside Passage of Southeast Alaska is saltwater so it does not freeze. The combination of sheltered area and the consistent precipitation keeps the salt in the air level down however it is to be expected that any exposed service shall be able to withstand contact from salt water. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS - Produce a minimum 200 watts continuously to our battery bank - Provide 24 volts DC nominal and adjustable for different type of batteries - Shall be a proton exchange membrane (PEM) type fuel cell - Shall run on liquid, non-corrosive fuel, preferably methanol. - Fuel supply shall be readily available either by: o Small factory sealed containers for safe transport to remote site by small boat or o A factory, EPA, and DOT approved fuel distribution system from bulk storage to transportable and approved vessels that can be transported to the site then reused without contamination to the fuel from dirt and water - Provide a list of suppliers for the fuel supply selected - Shall be autonomous that can run fully automatically without any outside interaction - Shall be able to turn on and off by customer supplied remote dry contact o Will need to know contact requirements for customer supplied contact - Shall be enclosed in a minimum of NEMA 3R or 4X enclosure to protect it from harsh Alaska conditions as described above. - Shall be able to function in temperatures below 0'C - Shall be able to be safely winterized and stored in temperatures below 0'C - Required routine maintenance shall be able to be done by general maintenance staff with no technical knowledge of fuel cells - Fuel cell shall weigh less than 75 pounds to allow government transport to/from the mooring site for factory maintenance or winter storage. Government transport is by either small watercraft or float plane - Provide standard warranty information of the fuel cell and associated components - Provide brief description of factory technical support - Provide brief description of customer electrical control requirements - Provide any requirements for hazardous location electrical for area around fuel cell - Provide a qualified technician for the on-site installation, commissioning, and operating instructions of the fuel cell. A qualified Forest Service representative will be available during installation that will run the inverter system and programming of the inverter as needed. PROPOSAL The proposal shall consist of a general description and cut sheets of the fuel cell and associated equipment showing how the proposed fuel cell meets or exceeds the System Requirements listed above. Describe briefly what type and levels of emission to expect, as well as the reason for the emissions. Describe the fuel type, handling, and shelf life of the fuel used in the fuel cell. Indicate the on-site installation time period if the proposed system is selected. If that time period is after May 10th, 2010, indicate how you accomplish the work in a remote field setting. The Forest Service will provide transportation of equipment and personnel from Wrangell, Alaska, to the remote site where the float house is moored. Rustic government lodging may be available at the remote site depending on the number of technicians needed for installation, and the time period and duration of the field installation. Please submit your proposal and quote electronically by the close of business no later than the date listed in the solicitation. SOUTHEAST ALASKA LOGISTICS The community of Wrangell, Alaska is located about 100 miles south of Juneau, Alaska. It is situated on a small island so access is by air or water. Alaska Airlines is the only commercial airline serving Wrangell, and provides one northbound flight daily from Seattle, WA, and one southbound flight daily from Juneau, AK. Alaska Airlines also provides air freight service and - Gold Streak express package services. By water, Alaska Marine Lines and Northland Services provide weekly barge service out of Seattle, WA. Express package services like Fedex and UPS are available, however it can take up to two weeks for express freight while paying the express premium. Priority and Express Mail from the US Postal Service is typically faster and much more economical. Lodging in Wrangell includes the Stikine Inn, Thunderbird Hotel, and Diamond C Hotel as well as several lodges, and bed and breakfasts. ATTACHMENTS: Four Drawings Seven Photographs of Float Camp FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors Commercial Items applies to this acquisition. FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation Commercial items applies to this solicitation. Evaluation criteria included in paragraph (a): - Technical capability of the item offered to meet the Governemnt requirement. - Past Performance. - Price. - Technical capability and past performance when combined are moderately more important than price. Responses should include a completed copy of FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications Commercial Items. Any resulting contract will include FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions Commercial Items. Any resulting contract will include FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders Commercial Items. The following clauses within this clause are applicable: 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Aside (June 2003) (15 U.S.C. 644). 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (Apr 2009) (15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2)). 52.222-3, Convict Labor (June 2003)(E.O. 11755). 52.222-19, Child Labor'Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (Feb 2008) (E.O. 13126). 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Feb 1999). 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Mar 2007)(E.O. 11246). 52.225-1, Buy American Act--Supplies (Feb 2009)(41 U.S.C. 10a-10d). 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer'Central Contractor Registration (Oct. 2003)(31 U.S.C. 3332). Responses to this solicitation are due by close of business, March 26, 2010. Responses may be submitted in hard copy to Kim Toland, Tongass National Forest, PO Box 309, Petersburg, AK 99833, via email to contact@example.gov, or fax +1 (555) 000-0000.