Community Purchasing Alliance and Community Power Network Solar Bulk Purchase RFP Executive Summary This electronic document represents a Request For Proposals that Community Purchasing Alliance (CPA) and Community Power Network (CPN) are issuing on behalf of a group of 16 congregations in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. A complete list of participating Host Sites is provided below and is divided by the state in which they are located. We are issuing this RFP with the intent of procuring solar photovoltaic (PV) energy systems for each of the abovementioned Host Sites. The projects are to be installed on the roofs of each of the Host Sites. All of the Host Sites are nonprofits. Our assumption is that the winner of the RFP will own the solar systems, and that the congregations will enter into Power Purchase Agreements with the winning Proposer. We are however, open to creative, innovative and other alternative project models and hybrids. The participating Host sites will form a Selection Committee to select a Proposer to develop all of the projects for each state group. The group may select up to three different Proposers to develop each state group, or may select a Proposer to complete installations for multiple state groups (for example, the District and Maryland). Our preference however, would be that one company bids on and executes the projects for the entire group of all three states. The winning Proposer will sign a separate bilateral contract with each of the Host Sites represented under this RFP. Neither CPA nor CPN will be parties to the contracts signed between the winning Proposer and the Host Sites. The goal of the CPA Solar Bulk Purchase Program is two-fold: (1) to enable the Host Site participants to take a high visibility action to protect the environment and to save money on their utility bills, and (2) to provide tangible value to Proposers in two distinct ways: 1. Reduce customer acquisition costs. Participating host sites are prepared and educated solar customers, not prospects or leads. All Host Sites have already signed Letters Of Intent (LOI) to demonstrate their commitment to this process, and all are ready to move forward with implementation assuming the proposed terms are favorable. Copies of the LOIs are available for each Host Site. 2. Provide Proposers with the opportunity to generate goodwill and high visibility in the region. CPN & CPA will coordinate a public outreach campaign to communicate the ways in which these solar projects will benefit our group of highly visible community organizations. The winning Proposer will be a cornerstone of this PR initiative. The successful Proposer will have the capability to develop, implement, manage, and finance a solar PV system for all of the Host Sites. The successful Proposer shall provide fully managed photovoltaic services that include, but are not limited to, securing the necessary labor, services, equipment, permits and approvals to develop fully operational PV systems at agreed-upon Host Sites. If the proposed project structure is a PPA, the proposer shall also commission, own, monitor, operate, and maintain the systems under the PPA financing option. If the proposed project model is not a PPA, responsibility for all projects elements and allocation of state, federal or local incentives must be explicitly outlined in the proposal.
Submission Requirements CPA, CPN, and the Host Sites represented by this RFP request that Proposers include in their bids at least three financing scenarios. The terms of these scenarios will be made available to all participating organizations, but Proposers can provide different pricing for each state group. 1. $0 Upfront Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) Assume Host Sites will enter into a no money down PPA with the Proposer. PPA terms should be uniform across all Host Sites. Please provide PPA $/kwh starting rates, annual escalators, and contract length details (more specifications below). Within this bid, please incorporate a $0.15/W development fee to be paid to CPN upon finalizing each contract with a Host Site. 2. 100% Prepaid PPA Assume Host Sites will enter into a PPA agreement with the Proposer, and each Host Site will prepay 100% of its PPA. Please provide net cost to participant expressed in a $/W installed price. Within this bid, please incorporate a $0.15/W development fee to be paid to CPN upon finalizing each contract with a Host Site. 3. 100% Purchase Assume Host Sites will purchase the system outright. Please provide the $/W price for a purchase option. Within this bid, please incorporate a $0.15/W development fee to be paid to CPN upon finalizing each contract with a Host Site. Although this RFP requests that the Proposer provides details about three financing scenarios, please feel free to provide additional or alternative creative approaches for financing these projects. This could include a leasing option, shorter-term PPA contract length, unique financing model, or some other hybrid approach. Please feel free to offer PPA or leasing options with varying contract lengths. Each Host Site reserves the right to select the financing option that is the best fit for it after the winning Proposer has been selected. All Host Sites that select a prepaid PPA option reserve the right to prepay any amount for which their capital funds will allow. Proposers can bid on all participating Host Sites, or only Host Sites located in a specific state group. Additionally, in order for bids to be considered, Proposers must abide by the following three requirements: 1. Bids submitted must offer the same price to all Host Sites in each state group (but prices can vary between states in order to account for varying incentives). Developers may not exclude from their proposals any of the Host Sites involved in this RFP for each state. 2. Proposals must be received by 11:59pm on June 4, 2014. 3. The Proposer must provide in their Proposals all information requested in this RFP in the order in which it is requested. Q&A Process CPA and CPN will act as the point of contact for all bulk purchase and RFP related questions on behalf of the Host Sites covered under this RFP. Contacting the Host Sites directly or independently of this process represented hereunder will constitute grounds for disqualification from consideration. CPN Program
Director Emily Stiever will manage all communications. Please submit any questions and/or comments to her via email at CPASolar@CommunityPowerNetwork.com. Participating Organizations A list of participating Host Sites is as follows. Detailed site profiles are also listed at the end of this RFP. Please develop your pricing with these specific sites in mind. DC Foundry United Methodist Church Temple Sinai First Trinity Lutheran Church National Presbyterian Church Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church DBA St. Luke's Mission Center Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church DBA Wesley UMC AppleTree Early Learning Public Charter School - Lincoln Park AppleTree Early Learning Public Charter School - Douglas Knoll Grace ELCA St. Stephen's Center for Community Change The SEED Public Charter School of Washington, D.C. Trinity Landholding Church of the Pilgrims Maryland Shaare Tefila Baltimore Yearly Meeting - Sandy Spring Hope Lutheran Virginia First Presbyterian of Arlington
Selection Criteria Please provide numbered responses to each of the following questions. RFP responses will be scored out of 100. Proposers responses will each be evaluated based on five categories. Each category is listed below and includes category s corresponding possible point total. The scoring of each proposal will be at the exclusive discretion of the Host Sites represented hereunder, CPA, and CPN. Final scores will not be made public or shared and will remain with the Selection Committee. Selection Committee members will sign a Confidentiality Agreement to prevent them from sharing details of the bids outside this process. Financing Agreement- The extent to which the proposed pricing terms deliver financial value to the Host Sites represented hereunder (40 pts). 1. $0 Upfront Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) provide (1) the price per kwh in year 1, (2) the annual escalation rate, and (3) the length of the proposed PPA contract. The assumption will be that all permits, interconnection, and other costs of any kind are included in the bid price unless explicitly noted in the bid. a. Feel free to provide multiple PPA options, including varying contract lengths, escalation rates, and price per kwh. b. Note, preference will be give to contracts that do not include escalation rates or that index the kwh price below utility rates. The participants highly value price hedging and certainty. Please keep in mind when developing pricing that many of the Host Sites have entered into electricity procurement contracts for $0.0787/kWh for generation and transmission services. c. Within this bid, please incorporate a $0.15/W development fee to be paid to CPN upon finalizing each contract with a Host Site. 2. 100% Prepaid PPA provide (1) the $/W installed base price for a prepaid option, (2) the length of the proposed Prepaid PPA contract, and (3) describe any instances where the operations and maintenance terms for Prepaid PPA contract would differ from that of the $0 Upfront PPA., The assumption will be that all permits, interconnection, and other costs of any kind are included in the bid price unless explicitly noted in the bid. Within this bid, please incorporate a $0.15/W development fee to be paid to CPN upon finalizing each contract with a Host Site. 3. 100% Purchase provide a $/W base price BEFORE incentives for an upfront purchase option. The assumption will be that all permits, interconnection, and other costs of any kind are included in the bid price unless explicitly noted in the bid. Within this bid, please incorporate a $0.15/W development fee to be paid to CPN upon finalizing each contract with a Host Site. 4. Provide detailed listing of any factors or upcharges that may affect price under each of these financing scenarios, including additional required upgrades to Host Site electrical equipment or roof. 5. Provide detail if Proposer will offer roof repair or replacement services to Host Sites, and how these services will effect price and terms. 6. Provide detail if Proposer will install systems on slate roofs, and how this service will affect price and terms. 7. Provide detail if Proposer will installer ground-mounted systems, and how this service will effect price and terms.
8. Provide sample proposed PPA or other contracts in their entirety. Developer Experience & Qualifications The extent to which the Proposer demonstrates project development, technical, and project finance proficiency (30 pts). 9. Describe insurance, bonding, number of years in business, and any other relevant information relating to the company s stability and standing. 10. Describe Proposer s prior experience designing PV systems. 11. Detail the number of megawatts and number of distinct projects the Proposer has constructed. 12. Detail the general types of projects installed and types of customers the Proposer has worked with in the past (for example, residential, commercial nonprofit, or government clients). 13. Provide the number of operational PV systems currently under management via a PPA. 14. If installer is partnering with a financing organization for the PPA, provide number of years in business and any other relevant information relating to the financing company s stability and standing. 15. Describe specific provisions in the contract that detail what will happen to the system if the holder of the PPA is bought, sold, goes out of business, or declares bankruptcy. 16. Provide number of PV systems that have been financed by the Proposer and/or financing partner. 17. Provide three (3) customer references from customers who currently have projects with the Proposer. 18. If applicable, describe which elements (finance, design, construction, service etc.) of a PV installation will be managed by a partner or third party other than the Proposer. Describe the structures that will ensure that the Proposer will be held accountable for the successful completion of each element of the project s development. 19. Describe the monitoring systems that the Proposer will use to verify system performance. Describe the methodology and frequency of solar energy production reporting. Include a description of any third party verification of predicted and actual energy production. 20. Describe any penalties the Proposer would incur if the eventual PV system did not produce energy as expected. 21. Provide proposed maintenance plan for length of PPA contract. 22. Provide detailed warranty information for installation, including the scope of what will be covered under Proposer s labor warranty for problems that arise due to system installation or operation. 23. Provide biographies for key personnel (no more than one page per biography). 24. Provide location of Proposer s nearest regional office. 25. Describe Proposer s experience with DC, MD, and VA permitting, interconnection, and any other work with regional government agencies. 26. Describe any additional services that Proposer will provide as part of the proposal or is willing to provide at an additional cost.
Technical Specifications The extent to which the proposed solar PV system incorporates photovoltaic technologies in line with industry standards (20 pts). 27. Describe specific PV technologies and components that will be installed and any guarantees on the use of specific equipment types. Social & Community Development Criteria The extent to which the Proposed solar PV systems foster social and community development (5 pts). 28. Please describe any commitments you are willing to make regarding local engagement. For example, will you provide on the job internships or other training opportunities for local solar job training programs? 29. Please describe any educational benefits or services that will be included in the PPA contract. 30. Please provide any complementary green roof, storm water management services, or other green attributes that will be included in the PPA contract. Completeness of Proposal: The extent to which Proposers submit bids that (1) include all information requested in this RFP, and (2) are formatted in the order outlined in this RFP (5 pts). Timeline 1. RFP Issue Date: May 15, 2014 2. Proposals Due: June 4, 2014 3. Notice of Intent to Award: June 16, 2014 4. Contract Negotiations Completed: June 20, 2014 Participating Congregations The following is a brief snapshot of each participating congregation, an estimate of where they would like solar installed on their roofs, and any specific needs (i.e. new roof, specific installation timeline, etc). The winning Proposer will visit each local and provide individualized proposals to each Host Site. Although you do not need to provide individualized bids for each participant at this time, please keep these specific participants in mind when you develop your RFP response.
Washington, DC Congregations AppleTree Early Learning Public Charter School Lincoln Park 138 12th St NE Washington, DC 20002 Potential system size: 13 kw Roof details: Flat roof, recently replaced and in excellent condition. AppleTree Early Learning Public Charter School - Douglas Knoll 2017 Savannah Terrace SE Washington, DC 20020 Potential system size: 30 kw Roof details: Roof recently replaced and in excellent condition. AppleTree Early Learning Public Charter School 2011 Savannah Terrace SE Washington, DC 20020 Potential system size: 50 kw Roof details: Building leased but owner interested in solar.
Center for Community Change 1536 U St NW Washington, DC 20009 Potential system size: 45 kw Roof details: Flat roof in excellent condition. Must retain access to equipment on roof and have ability to remove and replace HVAC equipment in future. Church of the Pilgrims 2201 P St NW Washington, DC 20037 Potential system size: 20 kw Roof details: Solar array installed on central portion of the roof will need to accommodate a planned elevator shaft that will be added to the building as part of a renovation project. First Trinity Lutheran Church 309 E Street NW Washington, DC 20001 Potential system size: 30-40 kw Roof details: Recently repaired rubberized membrane roof. 10 years remain on the lifetime of the roof.
Foundry United Methodist Church 1500 16th Street NW Washington DC 20036 Potential system size: 40 kw Roof details: Flat roof. All proposals must ensure solar system does not impact structural integrity of roof. Grace ELCA 4300 16th Street NW Washington, DC Potential system size: 12 KW Roof details: Portions of roof are flat and suitable for solar. Interested in a racking system that spans the parapet walls due to concerns about structural integrity of roof. Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church 3401 Nebraska Ave NW Washington, DC 20016 Potential system size: 110 kw Roof details: Large, southern sloping roof and flat area available for solar. Far eastern portion of roof may not be structurally suitable for solar and additional engineering analysis is needed.
Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church DBA St. Luke's Mission Center 3655 Calvert St NW Washington, DC 20007 Potential system size: 50 kw Roof details: Slate roof Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church DBA Wesley UMC 5312 Connecticut Ave NW Washington, DC 20015 Potential system size: 45 kw Roof details: Slate roof National Presbyterian Church 4101 Nebraska Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016 Potential system size: 90 kw Roof details: Flat roof space available on administrative building. Courtyard area between buildings will soon be covered with a roof and could also host system.
The SEED Public Charter School of Washington, D.C. 4300 C Street SE Washington, DC 20019 Potential system size: 344 kw Roof details: Large campus with numerous flat roofs. Excellent space for solar.
St. Stephen and the Incarnation Episcopal Church 1525 Newton Street NW Washington, DC 20010 Potential system size: 80 kw Roof details: Flat roof with significant available space for solar.
Temple Sinai 3100 Military Road NW Washington DC 20015 Potential system size: 150 kw Roof details: Flat roofs, numerous sections could serve as potential solar sites. Portions of roof have been restored but may not be in suitable condition for solar. Interested in proposals that coordinate roof replacement and solar installation. Trinity Landholding 504 Third Street NW Washington, DC 20001 Potential system size: 16 kw Roof details: Roof is 28 years old but in good repair. 500 Third Street NW Washington, DC 20001 Potential system size: 25 kw Roof details: Roof is 28 years old but in good repair.
3749 First Street SE Washington, DC 20032 Potential system size: 15 kw Roof details: Roof is less than one year old and in excellent condition. 3751 First Street SE Washington, DC 20032 Potential system size: 12 kw Roof details: Roof replaced in 2000. May require roof repair or replacement in order to be suitable for solar. 3753 First Street SE Washington, DC 20032 Potential system size: 14 kw Roof details: Roof replaced in 2000. May require roof repair or replacement in order to be suitable for solar.
3755 First Street SE Washington, DC 20032 Potential system size: 13 kw Roof details: Roof replaced in 2000. May require roof repair or replacement in order to be suitable for solar. Shaare Tefila Maryland Congregations 16620 Georgia Avenue Olney, MD 20832 Potential system size: 120 kw Roof details: Flat roof. Recent construction and in excellent condition. Baltimore Yearly Meeting Sandy Spring 17100 Quaker Lane Sandy Spring MD 20860 Potential system size: 14 to 20 kw Roof details: Interested in ground mounted system
Hope Lutheran Church 4201 Guilford Drive College Park, MD 20740 Potential system size: 35 kw Roof details: Flat roof. First Presbyterian of Arlington Virginia Congregations 601 N. Vermont St. Arlington, VA 22203 Potential system size: 68 kw Roof Details: New roof on southern sanctuary. Will be replacing roof on northern education building. Interested in proposals that coordinate roof replacement and solar installation About Us About Community Power Network (CPN) The Community Power Network (CPN) is a network of grass roots, local, state, and national organizations working to build, and promote locally based renewable energy projects & policies. We are a resource and strategic partner to our diverse, nonpartisan membership. We also run state programs in DC, MD, VA, and WV that work to make solar energy an accessible and affordable energy solution for all citizens and organizations. We have extensive experience using project development, community organizing, and policy building to catalyze equitable solar deployment in the region.
Community Purchasing Alliance (CPA) Community Purchasing Alliance (CPA) is a social-purpose cooperative that leverages the buying power of community institutions to help lower operating costs, while also making investments in sustainability, worker equity, and community organizing. As a cooperative, CPA is wholly owned by our members, creating a business that serves their needs first. Through aggregation and group procurement of services, CPA helps its members save money and get better service, while also holding vendors to higher standards in terms of environmental and worker practices.