Request for Information - Energy Related

SECTION 1: SYNOPSIS AND PURPOSE OF RFI This is a Request for Information (RFI). This RFI shall not be construed as a Request for Proposal (RFP), or any solicitation or obligation on the part of the Government. The Government does not intend to select or qualify proposals or offers on the basis of this RFI or otherwise pay for information obtained via this RFI or in response to this notice. No basis for claim against the Government shall arise as a result of a response to this RFI. The Government is performing market research to determine the feasibility of contracting for various energy technologies for the purpose of providing resilience solutions to Air Force installations through the Air Force Office of Energy Assurance (OEA). OEA serves as the facilitator and coordinator of energy assurance efforts and acts as the resilience advocate by ensuring projects align with installation needs and with the three strategic goals of the Air Force Energy Flight Plan 2016-2036. The Plan's goals are to (1) improve resiliency, (2) optimize demand and (3) assure supply. As such, OEA partners with defense and federal agencies, industry and communities to develop innovative, technology-agnostic energy solutions that defend against cybersecurity, natural and adversarial-based service disruptions. To accomplish its mission, OEA is focused on building a "go to market" strategy that aligns Air Force priorities and mission requirements with market drivers. Accordingly, this RFI is intended to inquire about technical and economic data points and project development concepts from industry. The intent is to use this data to assist OEA in expanding its energy resilience opportunities and further develop the considerations, such as life-cycle cost and mission impact, which drive its project development portfolio. Refer to Section 3 for the specific information requested by this RFI. This RFI is not intended to seek proposals, sources to meet OEA's requirements or to review capabilities of potential providers. SECTION 2: ENABLING AUTHORITIES The Air Force is granted authority under a number of Department of Defense (DoD) and Federal statutes to leverage third-party capital, asset ownership and long-term operations and maintenance (O&M) for infrastructure improvements. Below are examples of third-party financing authorities and contracts that are applicable for potential Air Force energy resiliency projects. These examples are provided for informational purposes only. Respondents to this RFI are responsible for understanding the use, requirements and limitations of any or all these authorities, including but not limited to: - 10 U.S.C. - 2667 - Leases: Non-Excess Property of Military Departments and Defense Agencies https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/2667 - 10 U.S.C. - 2922a - Contracts for Energy or Fuel for Military Installations (Power Purchase Agreements) https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/2922a - 42 U.S.C. - 8287 - Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPC) https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/8287 https://www.energy.gov/eere/femp/energy-savings-performance-contracts-federal-agencies - 10 U.S.C. - 2913 - Utility Energy Services Contract (UESC) https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/2913 https://www.energy.gov/eere/femp/utility-energy-service-contracts-federal-agencies - 40 U.S.C. - 501 - Services for Executive Agencies, FAR Part 41 Acquisition of Utility Services https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/40/501 - 10 U.S.C. - 2916 - Sale of Electricity from Alternate Energy or Cogeneration Production Facilities https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/2916 - 10 U.S.C. - 2688 - Utility Systems: Conveyance Authority (Utility Privatization or UP) https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/2688 - 10 U.S.C. - 2917 - Development of Geothermal Energy on Military Land https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/2917 - 10 U.S.C. - 2919 - DoD participation in programs for management of energy demand or reduction of energy usage during peak periods (Demand Response) https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/2919 OEA hopes to maximize the benefit to Installations and surrounding communities through building and bolstering local partnerships with local Government and other stakeholder entities. These partnerships can be leveraged through the following authorities: - 10 U.S.C. - 2679 - Installation-support services: Intergovernmental Support Agreements (IGSA) https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/2679 - 10 U.S.C. - 2684(a) Agreements to limit encroachments and other constraints on military training, testing, and operations (Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI)) https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/2684a Industry partners with focus on research, development, training and education (RDT&E) are authorized through specific statutes to leverage cost-sharing and grant funded methodologies to demonstrate technologies with the Federal Government. These statutes include: - 15 U.S.C. - 3710(a) - Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/3710a - 10 U.S.C. - 2371 and 2371(b) - Other Transaction Authorities (OTA) https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/2371 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/2371b OEA can assist in identifying locations to host proposed innovative activities and can provide the appropriate Air Force endorsements. OEA is open to participating in any viable partnership opportunity and will continue to identify candidates through its webpage, engagements and/or RFI. Note that OEA does not intend to contribute funding or to directly influence decision-making for any research and development programs. The following Federal grant programs may be applied for by industry with the intent to demonstrate technologies on Air Force sites through the appropriate agreement: - Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) https://www.serdp-estcp.org/About-SERDP-and-ESTCP/About-ESTCP - Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) https://www.serdp-estcp.org/About-SERDP-and-ESTCP/About-SERDP - Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) o Advanced Power Technology Office (APTO) https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&tab=core&id=a3843838ff041fda4edccc93f78cfdf4&_cview=0 o Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) https://www.afsbirsttr.af.mil/ - Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) https://www.darpa.mil/work-with-us/opportunities SECTION 3. INFORMATION SOUGHT FROM INDUSTRY RESPONSES RFI Requests: 1. Identify concepts and/or potential resilient energy solutions for the Air Force in order to meet energy requirements. OEA is seeking a variety of potential developmental concepts (e.g. generation technologies, financing structures, ownership and revenue-generating options, on/off-site distribution options) that meet the goals and authorities outlined in Sections 1 and 2 of this RFI. 2. Identify the benefits and risks associated with each of the following topics: energy resilience, financing, development, ownership, mission impact and operations and maintenance, respectively, for the conceptual solution. 3. Identify regulatory, policy and market restrictions/drivers/incentives within the project jurisdiction(s). 4. Provide an estimated cost and/or pricing breakdown for each concept. Illustrate a range of estimated costs for concepts/solutions to help the Air Force find the right balance of risk versus lifecycle cost. As permitted by FAR Part 10, OEA is requesting that interested parties submit a brief informational statement (no more than 5 pages) on company letterhead, with responses to the abovementioned RFI requests. Please provide any other relevant information that is deemed important to your concept(s). The information package shall be sufficiently detailed to assist OEA in evaluating and determining the viability of the concepts proposed, and in determining available and potential finance and procurement methodologies. The documentation should also provide, at a minimum, the following: 1. Company Name 2. Address 3. Point of Contact/Title (including telephone number & email address) There is no deadline for submissions and OEA does not intend to hold an Industry Day associated with this RFI. Please submit your completed responses, questions or comments to the OEA Energy Storefront email: usaf.pentagon.saf-ie.mbx.afoea@mail.mil The Government is not obligated to, and will not, pay for any information received from the potential sources as a result of this synopsis. Please do not attempt to contact a Contracting Officer with questions regarding this RFI. THE RESPONSE SHALL NOT PROVIDE ANY PROPRIETARY OR CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. THE INFORMATION MAY BE PROVIDED TO THIRD-PARTIES WITHOUT ANY FURTHER NOTICE OR CONSENT. THE AIR FORCE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY COSTS INCURRED IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCESS. ALL INFORMATION SUBMITTED IS AT THE OFFEROR'S OWN EXPENSE. ANY RECOMMENDATIONS OR SUGGESTIONS PROVIDED IN RESPONSE TO THIS SOURCES-SOUGHT DOCUMENT MAY BE UTILIZED WITHOUT ANY RESTRICTIONS WHATSOEVER OR COST TO THE GOVERNMENT. ANY WRITTEN ITEMS, SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO THIS MARKET RESEARCH, MARKED WITH RESTRICTIONS OR LABELLED AS PROPRIETARY OR SIMILAR TERMINOLOGY WILL NOT BE REVIEWED BY THE GOVERNMENT.