Replacement Bifacial Solar Array for NIST

Solicitation Amendment 0002: The purpose of this amendment is as follows: Answers to questions received in relation to the solicitation are provided as Attachment 7 to the solicitation The combined synopsis solicitation document is revised to include question and answer Attachment 7. No further questions will be accepted. All other aspects of the solicitation remain unchanged. The solicitation deadline remains Friday July 9, 2021 at 11:00 AM. _________ Solicitation Amendment 0001: The purpose of this amendment is as follows: The solicitation response instructions and evaluation criteria have been revised. A copy of the revised text is attached with tracked changes. Please review the revisions carefully. The solicitation question deadline is extended to Friday July 2, 2021 at 11:00 AM. All other aspects of the solicitation remain unchanged. __________ This is a Combined Synopsis / Solicitation for Commercial Items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6 - Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation of Commercial Items - as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. The solicitation is issued using simplified acquisition procedures under the authority of FAR Part 13. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY SOLICITATION. QUOTATIONS ARE BEING REQUESTED AND A WRITTEN SOLICITATION DOCUMENT (i.e. STANDARD FORM) WILL NOT BE ISSUED. This solicitation is a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2021-05 dated 03/10/2021. The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 221114 - Solar Electric Power Generation. The small business size standard is 250 Employees. This request for quotation is issued on a total small business set-aside basis. Only small businesses under the identified small business size standard are eligible for competition. DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENTS This is a new requirement replacing previously cancelled Request for Quotation No. NISTRFQ-73-21-00472. Please review the solicitation carefully. Background The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Engineering Laboratory (EL) used an existing 35 kWdc rooftop solar array on NIST Building 101 for research purposes. However, research efforts were paused as a result of a campus-wide reroofing effort. During the reroofing preparation work, the outdoor solar array portion of the existing solar system was damaged beyond repair. EL seeks to re-establish a solar photovoltaic (PV) system for research purposes that makes use of existing components, is compatible with site-specific constraints, and uses bifacial solar modules. The existing components, all currently installed indoors, include two inverters, two combiner boxes, and sections of five electrical conduits. The primary site-specific constraints are the available roof area and the requirement to avoid roof penetrations (i.e., must be a ballasted module racking). Objectives The primary purpose of this acquisition is the design, installation, and commissioning of a roof-top array of bifacial solar modules that are designed to integrate with two existing combiner boxes and two existing 15 kW-rated inverters. Installing a meteorological station is included in this requirement. The Contractor shall provide all services, materials, and equipment necessary for management and execution of the requirements identified in this Statement of Need and Solar Array Specifications documents. Scope of Work & Specific Tasks Please see the attached Statement of Need, Solar Array Specifications, and other relevant documents. The attached documents are summarized in the list below: 1. Combined Synopsis Solicitation 2. Statement of Need 3. Solar Array Specifications 4. Attachment 0: Applicable Provisions and Clauses 5. Attachment 1: Tapered Drawing of Roof 6. Attachment 2: Photos of Building 101 Roof Area 7. Attachment 3: Photos of Mechanical Mezzanine 8. Attachment 4: DN-52 Form Template 9. Attachment 5: N-1260 Form Template 10. Attachment 6: Additional Information Related to Requirements PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE The contract period of performance shall be 6 months from the date of notice to proceed. Assume notice to proceed will be granted within approximately three weeks after award; however, no work shall commence prior to a written notice to proceed. Notice to proceed will be provided only after Contractor badging is successfully completed. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE The place of performance shall be the NIST campus located at 100 Bureau Drive, Building 101, Gaithersburg, MD 20899. CONTRACT TYPE & PAYMENT TERMS A firm fixed price purchase order is anticipated. Payment shall be made on a NET30 basis using milestone payments following inspection and acceptance of individual deliverables. APPLICABLE PROVISIONS AND CLAUSES Please see the attached document for applicable provisions and clauses. Please ensure the highlighted provision sections are completed as part of any quotation submitted. SITE VISITS Site visits will be conducted by NIST personnel to allow potential Quoters to view the space where the solar array replacement and commissioning work shall take place, and to obtain a better understanding of the work required. Site visits will include an escorted view of the NIST roof where the array(s) will be installed and the mechanical mezzanine where the existing inverter(s) and combiner boxes are installed. Site visits will be unchanged from those held previously under cancelled RFQ No. NISTRFQ-73-21-00472; no new information will be provided. While not required in order to submit an offer, potential Quoters are strongly encouraged to schedule and participate in a site visit. However, as mentioned above, site visits under this solicitation will be unchanged from those held previously under cancelled RFQ No. NISTRFQ-73-21-00472; no new information will be provided. In no event shall failure to attend a site visit or to inspect the site constitute grounds for a claim after contract award. Site visits are available on June 28, 2021 and will be scheduled between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM at NIST discretion. June 29, 2021 will be considered a rain date in case of inclement weather on the 28th. Site visits will be scheduled on the hour and will last approximately 45 minutes. One site visit may be held per requesting contractor, one contractor at a time. A maximum of two contractor participants may attend each site visit. It is estimated that two NIST employees will also be present for each visit, with a third NIST employee present via teleconference. Contractors must be physically present to participate in the site visit and may not participate via teleconference. Note that NIST may not be able to accommodate specific date and time requests for site visits. Site Visit Details To participate in a site visit, potential Quoters must request a visit via email to the Contracting Specialist, Ms. Lauren Roller, at contact@example.gov. Requests must be received not later than June 24, 2021 at 11:00 AM ET. Potential Quoters must provide the following information with their requests: Full name of each attendee (maximum of 2 attendees per request). The name must match the individual's photo identification (driver's license, passport, etc.) which will be presented at the NIST Security Office before the site visit. Company Name (If subcontractor) Prime Company Name Contact Information for each attendee, including email address and phone number NIST will respond to timely requests with confirmation of assigned site visit date and time information as well as site access guidance. NIST may not be able to accommodate all time and date preferences. Site access guidance will include COVID-19 safety requirements as indicated at this site: https://www.nist.gov/about-nist/visit/nist-visitor-and-contractor-protocols-mitigating-covid-19-exposure-nist-campuses. Contractors are required to familiarize themselves with the requirements at this website and must affirm compliance with all COVID-19 safety requirements prior to entering the NIST campus. This includes conformance with the current NIST health checklist and travel advisory requirements located at https://www.nist.gov/media/583331 (updated weekly). Safety requirements include mandatory mask wearing (note that masks with exhalation valves are not allowable) and appropriate social distancing for the duration of the visit. Questions will be allowed during the site visits. However, note that any questions asked during the site visits will be recorded, anonymized, and answered in the Question and Answer amendment associated with this solicitation. Photographs are not allowable at the site visits. Potential Quoters are cautioned that all terms and conditions of the solicitation remain unchanged unless they are changed by written amendment to the solicitation. It is the responsibility of each Quoter, prior to submitting a quotation, to seek clarification of any perceived ambiguity in the solicitation or created by an amendment of the solicitation. QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD CAR 1352.215-73 INQUIRIES (APR 2010): Quoters must submit all questions concerning this solicitation in writing electronically to Ms. Lauren Roller, Contract Specialist, at contact@example.gov. Questions must be received by or before July 2, 2021 at 11:00 AM ET. Any responses to questions will be made in writing, without identification of the questioner, and will be included in an amendment to the solicitation. Even if provided in other form, only the question responses included in the amendment to the solicitation will govern performance of the contract. (End of Provision). DUE DATE FOR QUOTATIONS All quotations must be submitted via email to Ms. Lauren Roller, Contract Specialist, at contact@example.gov. Submission must be received not later than July 9, 2021 at 11:00 AM ET. Note: Quoters must have an active registration at www.SAM.gov at time of offer submission to be considered for award. INSTRUCTIONS TO QUOTERS (Addendum to FAR 52.212-1) The Quoter's quotation shall be submitted electronically via email and shall consist of two volumes as detailed below. Each quotation volume shall include the Quoter's name, DUNS number, and point of contact information in a cover page, header/footer, or other easily identified location. The Contracting Officer intends to award a purchase order without discussions but reserves the right to enter into discussions if in the best interest of the Government. Volume 1: Technical Response This volume shall contain the Quoter's technical response. The technical response (not including table of contents, figures, schematics, cut sheets, or past performance information) shall not exceed ten (10) single-spaced, single sided pages or twenty (20) double-spaced, single sided pages. Text shall be no less than 12-point Arial or otherwise reasonably legible font in read-only Microsoft Word or searchable Adobe PDF format. The technical response shall include the name, title, phone number, and email address of the Quoter's primary point of contact and the individual authorized to negotiate on behalf of the Quoter (if negotiations are determined to be necessary). The technical response shall include: A complete design for the proposed solar array design which addresses the Statement of Need and Specifications document requirements, inclusive of: Rated DC capacity of the solar array (based on front-side illumination only) Array tilt angle Total number of solar modules within proposed array field A description of the ballast components, type and approximate cumulative weight A list of the proposed key newly-added components, including the model of solar module, the racking system, and the rapid shutdown device; cut sheets or links to cut sheets on these key components is also required 1-Line Electrical Schematic and Schematics for the Roof Rack System , An estimate of the annual energy production of the proposed solar system. Please state the method or computer program/model used to generate this estimate, along with information on the weather data file used. An estimate of the percentage of energy generated from the front side versus the backside of the bi-facial solar array. Affirmation of compatibility of quoted slip sheets/pads with the current roof cap sheet which is a TREMCO POWERply 300 FR. Affirmation that quoted products are not manufactured by Hoshine Silicon Industry Co. Ltd. Please see the relevant U.S. Customs and Border Patrol withhold release at this link: https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/department-homeland-security-issues-withhold-release-order-silica A statement regarding whether the quoter and the quoter's supplier(s) follow the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) Traceability protocol. If so, please provide documentation where possible. Statement of location(s) of manufacture for all quoted products, to the best of the quoter's knowledge based on reasonably available information. If possible, the quoter shall identify whether the quoted products use polysilicon or other components manufactured in the Xinjiang region of China. A statement regarding whether the location of manufacture for all quoted products is one in which independent audits are allowed, to the best of the quoter's knowledge based on reasonably available information. If yes, please provide documentation where possible. A brief narrative of the Quoter's technical and management approach to executing the installation and commissioning of the required solar array, including consideration for Architectural Design Review Board feedback scheduling. If subcontractors will be used, the Quoter shall provide the names of the companies and their expected roles. Past performance information to include information on at least three (3) purchase orders or contracts in which the Quoter performed work similar to the scope of this requirement. Past performance information provided shall be for work completed or substantially completed within the past ten (10) years. Past performance shall include the following information: Name of the Organization Supported Organization Point of Contact with Current Phone Number and Email Address Contract Number Period of Performance Dollar Value of the Contract Narrative describing the services performed. The narrative should make clear similarities to the scope of work outlined in this solicitation. Completed provision responses, from the provisions attached to this solicitation. Provisions requiring response are highlighted in yellow. Volume 2: Price Quotation This volume shall contain the Quoter's price quotation in read-only Microsoft Excel format, or in searchable PDF format. All figures must be rounded to the nearest hundredth. Price quotations shall be submitted on a firm fixed price basis in accordance with the contract line item numbering structure identified in this solicitation. Quotations shall be valid for 90 days after solicitation close. To assist the Government in evaluating firm fixed price quotations, the Quoter shall provide a breakdown of the proposed materials costs and labor costs. Quoters shall also include a proposed fixed price payment schedule based on requirement milestones/deliverables in relation to the deliverables table in the Statement of Need. Quoters may propose an alternate payment schedule than the sample potential payment schedule included in the Statement of Need. Optional deliverables shall be separate line items per the Contract Line Item Structure below. CONTRACT LINE ITEM STRUCTURE: Responsible Quoters shall provide pricing for the following line item: LINE ITEM 001: Replacement Solar Array for NIST Building 101 in accordance with the base requirements of the attached Statement of Need and Specifications documents. LINE ITEM 002: Array Tilt Reduction in accordance with Optional Requirement 1 of the attached Statement of Need and Specifications documents. LINE ITEM 003: Elimination of One Column of Modules on East Edge of Array in accordance with Optional Requirement 2 of the attached Statement of Need and Specifications documents. LINE ITEM 0004: One (1) Separate Leftover Bifacial Solar Module in accordance with Optional Requirement 3 of the attached Statement of Need and Specifications documents. LINE ITEM 0005: One (1) Separate Leftover Bifacial Solar Module in accordance with Optional Requirement 3 of the attached Statement of Need and Specifications documents. LINE ITEM 0006: One (1) Separate Leftover Bifacial Solar Module in accordance with Optional Requirement 3 of the attached Statement of Need and Specifications documents. LINE ITEM 0007: One (1) Separate Leftover Bifacial Solar Module in accordance with Optional Requirement 3 of the attached Statement of Need and Specifications documents. LINE ITEM 0008: One (1) Separate Leftover Bifacial Solar Module in accordance with Optional Requirement 3 of the attached Statement of Need and Specifications documents. EVALUATION CRITERIA AND BASIS FOR AWARD (Addendum to FAR 52.212-2) The Government intends to award a firm fixed price purchase order resulting from this solicitation to the responsible Quoter whose Quotation, conforming to the solicitation, will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The Government reserves the right to make an award to other than the lowest-priced Quoter or to the Quoter with the highest technical rating if the Contracting Officer determines that to do so would result in the best value to the Government. The Contracting Officer intends to award without discussions but reserves the right to initiate discussions if necessary. Upon receipt of Quotations, the Contracting Officer will review them to determine if each Quoter followed all of the Quotation preparation/submission instructions in this solicitation. A Quotation that did not follow the Quotation submission instructions to an extent that the Government cannot properly evaluate the Quotation in accordance with the stated evaluation factors may be deemed unacceptable and may not be further evaluated. The Government intends to evaluate quotations using the tradeoff method. The following factors will used to evaluate offers. Evaluation will consist of two steps: Step 1) a mandatory pass-fail criterion and Step 2) a trade-off best value evaluation based on non-price Factors A through C and Price factor D. Quoters which do not successfully pass the mandatory criterion will not be further considered. In determining best value for Evaluation Step 2, non-price factors A through C, when combined, shall be of greater importance than price, Factor D. Non-Price Factor A is more important than Non-Price Factors B and C. Non-Price Factors B and C are considered equally important. Mandatory Pass/Fail Criterion The Government will evaluate quotations to confirm that quoters have affirmed that quoted products are not manufactured by Hoshine Silicon Industry Co. Ltd to the best of the quoter's knowledge based on reasonably available information. The Government will not accept products manufactured by Hoshine Silicon Industry Co. Ltd, in accordance with the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Withhold Release Order on Silica-Based Products Made by Forced Labor in Xinjiang. Quotations which provide affirmation that quoted products are not manufactured by Hoshine Silicon Industry, Co. Ltd. will move forward to Evaluation Step 2. Quotations which do not affirm that quoted products are not manufactured by Hoshine Silicon Industry, Co. Ltd. will be deemed unacceptable and removed from further consideration. Intentional falsification of information in an affirmation will be grounds for a quotation to be determined unacceptable. Factor A: Solar Array Design The Government will evaluate the Quoter's solar array design for degree of understanding of and conformance to NIST's requirements and specifications. NIST will evaluate the design for reasonableness, efficiency, and effectiveness in meeting or exceeding the requirements and specifications identified in this solicitation. Although not the only element to be considered, of particular interest will be the design array tilt and the backside gain provided by the array tilt versus the amount of ballast and the degree to which this ballast degrades the aesthetics of the overall array field. Also of particular interest, but not the only elements to be considered, will be 1) the height of the front edge of each module off of the roof deck; lower is preferred and 2) fair labor practices in the supply chain of products quoted. Products which do not use polysilicon from the Xinjiang region of China are strongly preferred. Products manufactured in areas that allow independent audits, as evidenced by quoter statement or, preferably, documentation, are strongly preferred. Products manufactured by companies that follow the SEIA Traceability Protocol are preferred. 2. Factor B: Technical and Management Approach The Government will evaluate the Quoter's technical and management approach to executing the installation and commissioning of the required solar array, including consideration for Architectural Design Review Board historical preservation constraints and feedback scheduling. The Quoter's technical and management approach will be evaluated for reasonableness, efficiency, and effectiveness, of completing the required work safely, accurately, and on schedule. Although not the only element to be considered, of particular importance is ability to meet schedule requirements. The approach shall also be evaluated for the reasonableness of proposed methods of communication with the Government on any and all issues that may arise in performance of this requirement. NIST will also consider the proposed approaches to meeting the National Electric Code (NEC) for reasonableness and effectiveness. 3. Factor C: Past Performance: The evaluation of past performance information will consider the extent to which the Quoter's past performance for work completed or substantially completed within the last ten years demonstrates the capability and capacity to provide successful solar array design, timely installation, and commissioning services for solar arrays. The term - Quoter here is defined as the prime contractor and any of its primary subcontractors. The Government may contact provided references. The Government may also use data obtained from other sources. The Government will consider the relevance of the Quoter's previous contracts to the subject requirement, and the Quoter's performance on the previous contracts. Quoters without a record of relevant past performance or for whom information on past performance is not available, will not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably on Past Performance, and will be assigned a Neutral rating. 4. Price Proposed pricing will be evaluated but not scored. Price evaluation will determine whether the proposed price is complete, fair, and reasonable in relation to the RFQ requirements.