This is a Request for Information (RFI) for market research purposes. Barksdale Air Force Base is seeking cost and capability information from interested parties for providing distributed generation on Barksdale AFB.

Solicitation Number: RFIBAFBPG
Notice Type:
Request for Information
Synopsis:
Request for Information (RFI) related to the consideration of installation of a micro-grid and electrical generation at Barksdale AFB (BAFB).
Synopsis:
Barksdale Air Force Base, LA is seeking cost and capability information for concept consideration and budgeting purposes from interested parties for a Distributed Generation (DG) system primarily for sustaining BAFB missions and readiness. The goal is to create an alternative source of power for BAFB. Sources can include natural gas, wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, nuclear, or other green alternative solutions. Currently, BAFB does not own the mineral rights to the land. Any solution involving natural gas usage will have to be approved by the Bureau of Land Management.

The purpose of this RFI is to seek capability information on cost estimates for installation of a supplemental electrical generation system to support Barksdale AFB's mission requirements and other usages defined by BAFB as strategic to Barksdale operations. As part of the solution, the Government would consider an enhanced use, coupled with a power purchase agreement, for services deemed necessary in exchange for discounted power generation to BAFB. This RFI seeks information to satisfy the following requirements:

1. Provide capability information regarding various types of generating equipment and applicability for a KVA demand range near 10MW to 25MW. Provide efficiency information regarding various types and arrays of generating equipment and applicability for a KVA demand range near 10MW to 25MW. Provide industry estimated annual maintenance and operational cost for each type presented.
2. Provide conceptual proposal(s) of capability, advantages/disadvantages of distinctive distribution generation systems. Provide estimated annual energy consumption for types, sizes and arrays of generating equipment presented.
3. Provide informational recommendations for connecting, interfaces and switching as recommended by IEEE and SWEPCO (local electrical utility) to provide 100% utility supply, 100% DG supply or combined supplies.
4. Provide information regarding to requirements and constraints related to installing a micro-grid system inside the perimeter of Barksdale AFB. Include requirements of the Louisiana Public Service Commission and SWEPCO as well as others.
5. Provide information explaining advantage(s) of a particular conceptual system. Provide life cycle cost analysis for the advocated system compared to other considered systems.
6. Provide estimated cost for installing of the system advocated in (5.) above. The cost estimate shall including preparation of design specifications (including consultants), permits, procurement of all required materials, construction and installation, project management of the installation, and commissioning of the distributed electrical generation system. Itemize the estimated annual operating cost (with and without fuel) of the advocated system.
7. Provide information regarding the future operation of Barksdale's existing array of "standby-by" generating units in concert with the distributed micro-grid system advocated in (5.) above.
8. Provide information regarding continued operation of Barksdale's UPS units in concert with the distributed micro-grid system advocated in (5.) above.
9. Provide a conceptual Gant chart indicating a general project timeline with critical dates for the system advocated in (5.) above.

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. It does not constitute a solicitation (Request for Proposal or Request for Quotations) or a promise to issue a solicitation in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Furthermore, we are not at this time seeking proposals. Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the responding party's expense. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked PROPRIETARY will be handled accordingly. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any proprietary information not properly identified. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations. Proprietary information or trade secrets should be clearly identified.
Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the U.S. Government to form a binding contract or agreement. The Air Force will not be obligated to pursue any particular acquisition alternative as a result of this RFI. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future solicitation, if one is issued.
SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES:
Responses to this RFI should be submitted using Microsoft Word (11 point Arial or 12 point Times New Roman font) no later than Oct 29th, 2010 to BOTH of the following POCs:

Primary: Adam Thomas 2 CONS/LGCA
41 Vandenberg Ave
Barksdale AFB, LA 71110
[email protected]
Phone: (318) 456-3493
Fax: (318) 456-3648

Secondary: Scott Schneider
41 Vandenberg Ave
Barksdale AFB, LA 71110
[email protected]
Phone: (318) 456-5205
Fax: (318) 456-3668

Please limit responses to no more than 50 pages written and/or 50 Microsoft PowerPoint slides. Responses to all or part of the above RFI will be accepted. Proprietary information shall be clearly marked. The Government will NOT be responsible for any proprietary information not clearly marked. Responses to the RFI SHALL include the following:
Submitter's Name
Street Address, City, State, NINE-Digit zip code
Point of Contact (POC)
POC Telephone and facsimile numbers.
You may also submit supplemental hardcopy materials such as brochures, etc. (no more than 5 copies each) with the RFI response to the same POC's listed above.

Responses received after Oct 29th, 2010 may not be considered in the government's analyses. You may submit corporate expertise information if you would like to be considered as a possible interested source. We may contact RFI respondents to get clarification on the information submitted.
The Government may elect to conduct one-on-one discussions with industry to obtain clarification of the RFI responses. If conducted, one-on-one discussions will only be with those that provided an RFI response, and no more than 4 members of each respondent group will be permitted during those discussions. Please note that the Government is under no obligation to conduct these sessions.

Once again, this RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. It does not constitute a solicitation (Request for Proposal or Request for Quotations) or a promise to issue a solicitation in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever.

POINTS OF CONTACT
Please ensure any and all correspondence is sent to both the Primary and Secondary Points of Contact listed above.

A site visit will be available on September 2nd 2010.

The site visit on 2nd September will take place in the 2nd Contracting Squadron building located at 41 Vandenberg Ave, Barksdale AFB 71110. Vendors may schedule 1 hour time blocks, through the above points of contact, in which they can share their innovative ideas with Barksdale AFB personnel. Time intervals may be scheduled between 9:00am and 3:00pm CST. Please note that all questions and answers will be recorded and attached to this RFI IAW FAR 15.201.