UCF SOLAR FARM-UCF 584 Solar Developer Project Fact Sheet PROJECT DESCRIPTION The University of Central Florida is making available a 40-50 acre plot of land on its main campus for solar photovoltaic power generation. The University is soliciting qualifications from qualified developers to assess solar development feasibility and subsequently design, finance, develop, construct, install, operate, maintain and monitor the solar photovoltaic system. The University is interested in exploring two financial models. Option one is a 15-year closedend commercial equipment lease, where the equipment would be owned by the developer for the period of the lease. Option two is a 10-year, fixed-rate traditional loan for the equipment, where the equipment would be owned by the University. The University is currently receiving electrical service through Duke Energy Florida. The University is a primary metered customer with an electrical meter on each of the six (6) feeders. The electric distribution system is presently owned, operated and maintained by Duke Energy Florida. The campus primary distribution system is at 12.47 KV. The successful developer will need to interconnect with the Duke distribution system on multiple feeders, behind the utility meters. Duke Energy Florida is responsible for the engineering and construction of the primary electrical distribution past the point of common coupling.
PROJECT BACKGROUND The University of Central Florida publicly committed to reducing its impact on the environment in 2007 by agreeing to becoming climate neutrality by 2050. Within the UCF Climate Action Plan there is an interim goal to produce at least 15% of our energy demand from on-site renewables by 2020. This project would meet and surpass this goal, while reducing the cost of operations for the University. The 40-50 acre site, located in the Southeast corner of the main campus is to be developed into a solar farm capable of 10-12 MWac peak solar production. The project location is approximately 28 35'19" North latitude and 81 11'5" West longitude. The ground based racking shall have single axis tracking capability. The University is seeking responses from qualified developers to provide turn-key engineering, procurement, construction, operations and maintenance services for the solar photovoltaic farm. The vendor shall be responsible for obtaining any and all environmental, building, interconnection and electrical permits required, at no additional cost to the University.
Gopher tortoises have been previously identified on the site. Any relocation and mediation activities shall be the responsibility of the developer. Any stormwater retention or detention requirements are the responsibility of the developer and shall occur within the project boundaries. In addition to the emission reduction benefits, the project should also produce a positive net-cash flow for the University when compared to the cost of electricity from the local utility company. The project should be designed so that the savings in energy produced by the farm should be greater than the monthly financial obligations. Proposers shall provide an academic component to benefit UCF faculty and students. At a minimum the proposer is expected to provide access to project related documentation, a public facing information dashboard, a performance monitoring database and reporting system for metering and telemetry, and a digital archive of all relevant project documents; as well as ADA compliant physical access to the site for guided tours. UCF would like to have a minimum of one tour of the project, each quarter led by a member of the proposer s team that would explain how the project works and how the various equipment components interact. Transparency into operation and maintenance costs is desired, as well as collaboration on curriculum development and research related to solar systems, and student involvement in the project. UCF welcomes other ideas to enhance the academic component to the benefit of both parties. INSTRUCTIONS It is the intent of the University to develop a 10-12 MWac solar photovoltaic farm on its main campus located Northeast of Orlando. The selected firm shall propose financing for the project in the form of a 15-year closed-end commercial lease as well as a 10-year fixed rate, traditional loan. The value of the energy produced from the solar farm shall always exceed the monthly fixed financial obligations, creating a positive cash flow for the University for the life of the project. Firms desiring to apply shall submit only electronic submissions, to be uploaded at: https://ucf.bonfirehub.com/opportunities/2419 1. a letter of interest 2. a copy of the firm s current license from the appropriate governing board. All applicants must be licensed and insured to practice as General Contractors in the State of Florida at the time of application. Corporations must be registered to operate in the State of Florida by the Department of State, Division of Corporations, at the time of application 3. a list of completed jobs over the last three (3) years, with size (MW), location, contact name, and telephone number of the client 4. a letter from the firm s bonding company showing bonding capacity not already obligated and bond rating 5. narratives to address items listed in the Selection Criteria, as shown
Proposals must not exceed 40 pages single sided, or 20 pages double sided. Points will be deducted for proposals over 40 pages. Applications that do not comply with all instructions may be disqualified. Application materials will not be returned. No oral communications shall be binding as a change to the Notice. Interpretation of the wording of this Notice shall be solely that of UCF and that interpretation shall be final. UCF may respond to questions deemed by the University to be material in nature. It shall remain the responsibility of the firms participating in this solicitation to check the website regarding any addendums and Notice of Change. All applicants must be licensed to practice as general contractors in the State of Florida at the time of application. Corporations must be registered to operate in the State of Florida by the Department of State, Division of Corporations, at the time of application. As required by University of Central Florida Regulation 7.102.22, a contractor may not submit a proposal for this project if it is on the convicted vendor list for a public entity crime committed within the past thirty six (36) months. The selected contractor must warrant that it will neither utilize the services of, nor contract with, any supplier, subcontractor, or contractor in excess of $15,000.00 in connection with this project for a period of thirty six (36) months from the date of their being placed on the convicted vendor list. SELECTION CRITERIA Selection Criteria is to be sectioned into the numerical divisions shown below and should be tabbed appropriately. Firms will be evaluated on the following: 1. Information provided in the Solar Developer Supplement. 2. Past Performance. Provide information on five (5) projects that are similar in size, complexity, and scope to what may be performed under the contract with UCF. Clearly articulate within each of the 5 projects information regarding: a. similarity in size (MW) and complexity including interconnection; b. similarity in function; c. initially scheduled substantial completion dates and actual substantial completion dates; d. original budget, final budget, and reasons for any differences; e. owner s contact information; f. date completed; and g. names of proposed team members who worked on each project and their roles. 3. Ability to Take on Additional Work. Reflect your current workload and staffing. Describe how UCF s workload will be fulfilled. 4. Experience and Ability. Describe your firm s experience and ability with the following:
a. constructing similar projects to that to be performed for UCF; b. working with public clients and their Standards and processes; c. knowledge and application of codes and compliance requirements; d. cost estimating and control; e. completing projects on time and within budget. 5. Personnel. Provide bios for the project executive/principal, designer, superintendent, project manager, cost estimator, consultants, and any other personnel that you believe are critical to the success of the work to be performed. Also discuss the qualifications required of your workforce. It is important that you list the appropriate titles to the corresponding personnel in your proposal. 6. Construction Ability. Describe your team s approach to and understanding of the Project s intent, goals, and objectives, and how you will ensure that the Owner s Project Requirements are met. 7. References. Provide contact information for three (3) professional references. 8. Location. Provide the address of your main office, and any regional/local offices, and provide details of what services and personnel you have at each location. 9. Safety and Security. Describe your policies, plans, and practices related to safety and security. Note: Criminal background checks, E-verification, drug free workplace, and drug and alcohol testing verification will be provided for all employees and subcontractors. Picture ID cards will be worn at all times while on the job. 10. QA/QC. Describe your firm s approach to Quality Assurance/Quality Control. 11. SDVOSB and MWBE. Describe how your firm employs and uses Service Disabled Veteran- Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE), and whether your firm is certified and by what agency. 12. Conflict Avoidance and Resolution. Describe your firm s practices to avoid and resolve conflict. Describe three (3) occasions when conflict occurred and how it was resolved. 13. Job-specific Qualifications. a. Describe your experience designing, financing, developing, constructing, installing, operating, maintaining and monitoring solar photovoltaic farms greater than 1 MW. b. Describe you experience with past projects interconnected to a Duke Energy transmission or distribution network. c. Describe your experience with site environmental permitting issues, as a result of the relocation of threatened or endangered species as well as issues with stormwater detention or retention on site. 14. Preliminary Development Concept and Technical Approach. Developer must provide a brief description of a preliminary development concept and technical approach, including
preliminary equipment selection, site layout and a comprehensive energy strategy for developing this project. GENERAL INFORMATION 1. All applicants will be notified of the results of the short-listing in writing. Finalists will be informed of the interview dates and times, and will be provided with additional project information, if available. 2. The Selection Committee will make a recommendation to the University president. All finalists will be notified in writing of the president s action. Upon approval by the president, negotiations will be conducted in accordance with Section 287.055, Florida Statutes. 3. UCF Team Members have elected not to meet with firms.