Technical Assistance for Alternative Fuels and Energy Efficient Mobility Systems

92189 "Technical Assistance for Alternative Fuels and Energy Efficient Mobility Systems" February 7, 2019 BACKGROUND Fleets across the nation have made great progress implementing alternative fuels, advanced vehicles, and fuel-saving measures into their operations. These efforts have reduced costs and earned fleets recognition as sustainability leaders in the process. Yet as the alternative fuel, advanced vehicle and smart mobility landscape evolves, some fleets may encounter challenges. To address these challenges, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL's) Transportation and Hydrogen Systems Center (THSC) supports U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Vehicle Technology Office programs by offering technical assistance which connects transportation stakeholders with objective information and experts to assist with overcoming specific problems and barriers related to alternative fuels, fuel efficient technologies, and emerging transportation and smart mobility technologies. Through trusted, unbiased and time-tested resources, NREL has become a leader in providing technical assistance and in helping fleets and fuel providers solve problems and successfully transition to alternative fuels and vehicles which serve a growing market. NREL continues to support the entry of new transportation technologies into the marketplace and create new resources that address the evolving challenges that fleets are facing. Providing unbiased technical information, tools, and resources is a requirement of several pieces of federal legislation, including the Alternative Motor Fuels Act (AMFA) of 1988, the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, and the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992 and 1995. In order to be effective, NREL must be able to provide technical assistance for: - Technology Evaluation and Analysis - Codes and Standards - Troubleshooting, Root Cause Analysis, and Safety Issues The projects undertaken are broad and diverse and will help solve problems, overcome barriers and accelerate the rate of adoption of alternative fuels, fuel efficient technologies and energy efficient mobility systems into the transportation mainstream. OBJECTIVE NREL is seeking one or more organizations with broad knowledge of fleet operations, to assist with addressing barriers, problem resolution and education about alternative fuels, fuel efficient technologies and energy efficient mobility systems. These organizations shall have the required practical expertise, strong collaborative abilities, and communications skills to provide the needed technical assistance. These organizations, when authorized by the NREL Technical Monitor (TM) in specific negotiated work orders, shall be utilized as technical advisors to those requesting assistance through NREL and shall help to resolve technical issues related to: - Adoption of Light-, Medium- and Heavy-duty Alternative Fuel and Advanced Technology Vehicles - Alternative Fuels as defined by EPAct 1992 - Refueling and Recharging Infrastructure and Corridor-Development - Fuel Efficient Technologies - Idle Reduction - Connected and Automated Vehicles - Energy Efficient Mobility Systems and Smart Cities including automated, connected, electric and/or shared vehicles. (More information can be found here, https://energy.gov/eere/vehicles/energy-efficient-mobility-systems.) Through providing technical assistance the selected organizations shall assist in cultivating the necessary partnerships and cooperation among stakeholders to identify appropriate market opportunities for these technologies and build local expertise. Major tasks associated with this effort include: - Providing technical expertise to stakeholders (e.g. Clean Cities coalitions, public and private fleets, federal fleets and state, local and regional governments) that addresses specific technical, operational, safety, and codes and standards information needs. - Developing technical reports and educational products related to technology selection, lessons learned and best practices in the use of alternative fuels, fuel efficient technologies and energy efficient mobility systems and topics. AREAS OF EXPERTISE Individuals or organizations responding to this Sources Sought request must describe capabilities, attributes, and skills in the following specific areas of expertise: Technology Evaluation and Analysis To support NREL in this effort an organization must demonstrate the capability to perform a variety of technical, economic and emissions analyses for light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and infrastructure. This includes the ability to work collaboratively with fleets and stakeholders to evaluate current vehicles, understand and identify the drive- and duty-cycle characteristics, local infrastructure availability and any unique considerations for fleet operations in order to provide information on the technologies and infrastructure that will allow the fleet to meet its goals. The organization being sought shall be proficient in the suite of analysis tools found on the U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) toolbox (https://www.afdc.energy.gov/tools), among other industry-accepted analysis tools. Examples of Tiger Team assistance may include, but are not limited to: - Providing expertise on the configuration or implementation of fueling and charging infrastructure - Assisting a fleet in understanding the impacts of integrating electric vehicles, including utility rates and structures, power needs and grid impact considerations - Assisting in the development of a robust solicitation, procurement and selection process for vehicles and infrastructure - Advising stakeholders on best practices for selecting vehicle conversions including quality assurance and vehicle maintenance requirements - Conducting a lifecycle economic and emissions analysis for fleets - Providing expert advice to fleets about vehicle and infrastructure adoption, replacement, upgrading and site placement - Provide expertise for EEMs related projects which plan for and potentially increase energy efficiency Codes and Standards To support NREL in this effort an organization must demonstrate depth and breadth of knowledge on codes and standards for alternative fuels, vehicles, infrastructure and maintenance facilities along with experience in assisting fleets with implementing operation, safety and maintenance practices and policies that ensure safety. Examples of Tiger Team assistance may include, but are not limited to: - Addressing concerns about codes, standards, and best practices for vehicles, infrastructure, fueling and maintenance facilities - Maintenance, operation and safety requirements - Providing expert advice to a fleet undertaking a CNG fuel tank replacement effort Troubleshooting, Root Cause Analysis and Safety To support NREL in this effort an organization must demonstrate the ability to help fleets tackle difficult technical and market challenges that might otherwise stall alternative fuel vehicle market implementation and smart mobility projects. This requires hands-on experience with the technologies and the ability to work with fleet operations staff, fuel providers and fueling equipment suppliers, vehicle conversion companies, and equipment and vehicle manufacturers to assist with all phases of a project from concept to implementation, to operation and maintenance. The organization being sought shall act as a neutral third-party and be able to come alongside existing project teams in situations that challenge local resources or in instances where local expertise does not exist, with the goal of helping resolve differences, address operational and safety issues, and get stalled projects moving again. Examples of Tiger Team assistance may include, but are not limited to: - Reviewing and recommending quality assurance and inspection practices - Integrating complex information or resolving complex operational issues - Conducting technical troubleshooting for vehicle or fueling issues - Identifying root cause of recurring maintenance or safety issues - Developing relationships with manufacturers, suppliers, and other industry leaders for problem resolution RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS The response to this sources sought posting is limited to six (6) pages of single spaced text of 11-point Times New Roman font, with minimum 1" margins all around. Brevity is encouraged. All responses shall be submitted in writing via email to Jeffrey.Soltesz@nrel.gov. Electronic format shall be in Microsoft Word or converted to .pdf. Responses to this notice must be received on or before 5PM MST March 7, 2019. Responding to this notice identifies your organization as an interested party only. Questions will not be accepted. Your submittal is not in response to a Request for Proposals (RFP).