Pentagon Reservation - Solar Solutions

The Washington Headquarters Services/Acquisition Directorate is conducting market research to assess industry capabilities for providing alternative financing and/or the installation of a medium to large scale solar photovoltaic (PV) system to be located at the Pentagon Reservation. Description Innovative Technologies - We have particular interest in innovative and novel technologies, including high efficiency PV panels, low or zero maintenance systems, and/or systems that deploy other innovative or novel technologies related to PV. In addition to PV technology, we are also seeking an analysis of the practicality of using a hybrid solar lighting application on the 5th floor of the Pentagon and in other locations. Finance - Seeking responses that demonstrate alternative finance mechanisms for this deployment including, but not limited to, Energy Savings Company (ESCO) arrangements and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Public Engagement and Education - We welcome ideas as to how this deployment could engage and educate employees and visitors to the Pentagon as well as the general public. This might include, but not be limited to, deploying the system in a highly visible location and/or the installation of publicly visible display units showing real time or time delay information about the system's performance expressed in an easily understood way. Real Savings - The system should contribute to effectively reducing the electricity load at the Pentagon. While visibility and education is a goal of the project, the foundational goal is to see real energy savings and greenhouse gas emissions reductions. A payback period of twenty years or less for proposed projects will be considered. Constraints - The Pentagon is on the National List of Historic Places and any alterations to the exterior facades or the terraces will need to be done in such a way that it does not detract from the historic elements of the building. Additionally, the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts need to be consulted on any changes to the exterior. Space Efficiency - The Pentagon Reservation is a constrained site. Contractors shall provide the size of the area needed for any suggested sites in their response. We welcome responses that maximize the capacity of the PV installation while minimizing its footprint and / or impact on other potential uses for the site. One potential site for PV panel installation is identified in the attached slide. It is the roof area between Corridors 4 & 5. There are likely other suitably sites that have yet to be identified. Security - Security should also be considered for any proposed projects on the Pentagon Reservation. Technical Notes - The average cost of electricity on the Pentagon Reservation is six cents per kilowatt-hour. Some examples of projects we have seen and considered as potentially effective at the Pentagon: Solar Canopies at the Pentagon Metro Station (currently has fabric coverings) o (Example: http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2011/08/02/nrg-energy-asu-partner-on-10m-solar.html) o (Example: http://www.army.mil/article/53628/first-ever-smart-charging-micro-grid-unveiled/) Solar-powered LED parking lights o (Example: http://www.ledsmagazine.com/products/21478) Submission Requirements: Interested sources are invited to respond to this sources sought announcement by completing the attached response form in addition to providing solar solutions in a response with total pages limited to 15 single sided 8 - x 11 pages and 2 single sided 8 - x 11 pages for a cover letter. Submit a maximum of 5 projects describing the following: 1) Experience: Describe the government or commercial contracts/projects your firm has completed in the last 5 years showing your experience in the construction and installation of medium to large scale PV systems. For each of the contracts/projects submitted for experience, provide the title; location; whether prime or subcontractor work; contract or subcontract value; type of contract and alternative financing provided if applicable; pay back on project; contract completion date; customer point of contact including phone number; and a narrative description of the product/services provided by your firm. 2) Discuss the alternative financing available through your firm. 3) Discuss applications you think might be applicable for the Pentagon Reservation and provide supporting documentation on why you think it applicable, to include the estimated simple return on investment of the projects. Please E-Mail responses to this Sources Sought Announcement no later than 7 December 2011, 10 am Eastern Standard Time to kia.myles@whs.mil. The subject line of the E-Mail should read: SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT #WHS11162011-1600 RESPONSE Questions pertaining to this announcement may be submitted via E-Mail to kia.myles@whs.mil The subject line in the E-Mail should read: SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT #WHS11162011-1600 QUESTION SPECIAL NOTE: This is a Sources Sought Announcement only. All responses received may be held for an extended period of time or destroyed. In no case will any responses be returned to the originator. All information desired or required to be handled as proprietary or as confidential business information should be clearly and appropriately marked. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations. In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 15.6 proposals for a specific renewable energy project concept should be clearly marked as PROPOSAL FOR [project name], HANDLE AS BUSINESS SENSITIVE and must follow the regulation. It is the policy of the Government to encourage the submission of new and innovative ideas. Responses to this sources sought announcement will be used to make appropriate acquisition decisions. In order to protect the procurement integrity of any future procurement, if any, that may arise from this announcement, information regarding the technical point of contact will not be given and no appointments for presentations will be made. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation nor will debriefs or evaluation letters be issued to the participants. This request for information is not designed to generate specific proposals and should not be interpreted as such. However, should you choose to submit an unsolicited proposal on your own accord, such proposal will be evaluated in accordance with the procedures defined by the FAR Subpart 15.6. IF A SOLICITATION IS ISSUED IT WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A LATER DATE, and all interested parties must respond to that solicitation announcement separately from the responses to this announcement. This notice shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to ultimately award a contract, nor does it restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach. Any information provided by industry to the Government as a result of this notice or any follow-up information requests is voluntary and shall be treated as confidential. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with this or future requests.