Solar Photovoltaic System located on Mare Island, California

1. BACKGROUND: The Pacific Southwest Region (Region 5) of the U.S. Forest Service desires a Photovoltaic System(s) with potential roof, carport, and/or ground solar arrays. This project is a part of the Federal Aggregated Solar Procurement Pilot which was selected as a segment of The White House GreenGov Spotlight Communities Program. This Solar Procurement not only includes the Forest Service, but is also comprised of other Northern California Federal Agencies (similar to a consortium) such as EPA, GSA, and DOE FEMP, as well as two DOE National Laboratories. Working collectively, the Federal Agencies and Labs have a goal of constructing a Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System(s) at the Forest Service Region 5 Regional Office, as well as a PV System on each selected GSA location, etc. However, this particular Sources Sought Notice addresses the Forest Service location at Mare Island in Vallejo, California, only. Additionally, adding to the complexity of this project, the Forest Service submitted a "Notice of Intention" to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), "Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies (AFFECT)" Program, too, for this work, under Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Number: DE-FOA-0000901. (Please be advised that the Forest Service submitted Notices of Intention to DOE for this Regional Office Solar PV project, as well as two Biomass projects on the Plumas National Forest, and for Off-Grid Solar PV projects located on various Region 5 Forests). This Sources Sought Notice is for informational and planning purposes only, in light of the Funding Opportunity Announcement mentioned in the above paragraph. It does not constitute a Solicitation and is not to be considered as a commitment by the Government. All firms responding to this sources sought notice are advised that their response to this notice is not a request that will be considered for contract award. All interested parties will be required to respond separately to any Solicitation posted as a result of this Sources Sought Notice. The information from this market research is for planning purposes only and will assist the Government in planning its acquisition strategy. This is strictly Market Research and the Government will not entertain questions concerning this Market Research. Response is strictly voluntary; no reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this Notice or any follow-up information requests. 2. PROJECT INFORMATION: In the previous twelve months, the Regional Office used approximately 1,449,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh). The proposed contract will stipulate electric vehicle charging stations integrated into the solar carport structures. Additionally, it is hoped that the Solar PV System(s) will provide for features to enable the establishment of a Micro-Grid. Briefly summarized, this potential work may involve the complete design and installation of a fully functioning Solar PV System or Systems including, but not limited to the equipment selection, carport structures, permitting, bonding and installation of a Solar PV system(s). The system should provide 3-phase power at 480VAC to a suitable tie-in point to the Building. Appropriate transfer switches should be installed to make PV power accessible to voltage circuit of the site's electrical distribution infrastructure. Any subsequent proposal (if a Solicitation is issued) should describe how solar power is interconnected to the building's electrical distribution system. Any Contractor subsequently selected during any Solicitation phase may be required to assess the proposed site areas, provide installation details and plans to ensure topographical conditions are suitable for the proposed installation. The plan should at a minimum, identify the array plan view, possible shadow zones, inverter/transformer locations, carport spacing, number of affected parking spaces, carport structural details, open area mounting details, roof mount details and (above and below grade) wire routing. Appendix A of this sources sought announcement provides drawings which demonstrate the condition of the pavement in the current parking lot as well as an aerial view of the site which could be used for potential arrays and additional spaces. All site preparation work should be accomplished by the Contractor and schedules shall be approved by the Government Project Manager and Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) prior to commencing work. The Contractor shall provide PV system installations that aesthetically match with the surrounding buildings, structures and landscape and minimize any negative visual impact. Contractor shall provide proposed designs to the Forest Service for approval. Contractor shall coordinate fully with the COR and the Facility Manager for all power shut down requirements. 3. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: The place of performance is the U.S. Forest Service Region 5 Regional Office. Mare Island, 1323 Club Drive; Vallejo, California 94592. Latitude is: 38.08411944. Longitude is: -122.26454167. The Forest Service building on Mare Island in Vallejo, California is an approximately 122,000 square foot four (4) story Building that primarily houses office/administrative functions for the Pacific Southwest Region of the Forest Service. The structure was originally built in 1976 and previously owned and operated by the U.S. Navy. But, it has undergone many renovations to reach its current state, most notably a major addition and renovation in 1999. However, some of the building systems have largely been untouched since this date and may not be performing, optimally. The site location on which both the subject parking lot and the Regional Office are located is approximately 68,825 square feet. . As aforementioned, Appendix A includes drawings which may give interested firms an idea of potential layouts and the size of the lot. Interested firm would not be limited to these particular designs/models. During any solicitation phase, firms are welcome to provide their own potential designs, layouts, locations, models, etc. 4. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: The Government does not intend to rank submittals or provide any reply to interested firms. This Sources Sought Notice is for Market Research, Planning, and Informational purposes only and is not a Request for Proposal (RFP) nor does it restrict the Government as to the ultimate acquisition approach. The Government will not reimburse respondents for any costs incurred in preparation of a response to this Notice. Your response is requested no later than 1600 Pacific Time on 10 February 2014. Please send responses by email to Renee Jewell at reneejewell@fs.fed.us and Erin Saelens at elsaelens@fs.fed.us. Responses should be limited to seven (7) pages or less and must include the attached Sources Sought Questionnaire.