REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
INVITATION TO BID
SOLAR ENERGY INSTALLATION
BACKGROUND: The Village of Solomon is a federally recognized tribal entity governed by the 7 member traditional council, headquartered in Nome, Alaska. They have received an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Climate Pollution Reduction Grant for Implementation (CPRG Implementation) which includes Measure 2 for up to 9 solar installations on public facilities in Nome, Alaska serving indigenous populations. This will include a timeline of up to 4 years and at least 6 months notice for public facility selection. A tentative calendar of each facility installation will be provided initially, but may be revised based on partnerships.
The Village of Solomon will manage the contract and review all bids based on their policies, needs and evaluation criteria.
NEEDS:
• As this large scale project is an opportunity to showcase replicability within the Bering Strait Region of Alaska, the installations are subject to workforce development hands on training, selected contractor must be willing to work with trainees.
• As a federal government funding source, all technology, equipment and materials are restricted to ‘Buy America, Build America’ per EPA compliance.
• Contractors are encouraged to consider manufacturer partnerships, discounted purchase prices and negotiations which will flow down to Regional representatives as a replicable project to spread solar energy projects across the Region.
• Contractor will have a team ready and willing to work with the partners for design, to ensure appropriate inventory for efficiency is met, sizing and battery storage capabilities are understood and appropriate to building energy loads, appliances, and roof weight capacity, working with existing partners in determining all of the facility needs for a successful solar energy system to be maintained and installed.
• Contractor understands the geographic location of Nome, Alaska and the climate of location which takes into account the construction season and access to materials via barge.
• Contractors are familiar with tribal governments, entities and working with a board of representatives.
SCOPE OF WORK:
1. Meet with the Tribal Resources Director to discuss the initial timeline of installation dates, selecting the first 3 public facilities to occur within the first 12 months, following a signed contract; Tentatively Mid April 2025
2. Agree to install at least 8 (up to 9) solar arrays + battery storage + Inverter within a 4 year timeframe;
3. For each install: Meet with design team, which may or may not include the tribal government who owns the facility to understand the building needs, demand and use of the building; Go over budget for specific facility, review energy audit and recommendations,discussing building improvements decreasing load size; determining solar size and battery storage; Inventory of roof weight capacity and installing sister racking for support to rooftop solar array; agree to installation dates with all parties; 4. Agrees to meet with Tribal Resources Director and staff on a monthly basis at minimum to discuss progress, planning, inventory, facility lineups, procurement, logistics, budgeting, and all coordination aspects of installs.
5. Agrees to allow 5-10 trainees per installation to assist in the hands on installation of array, battery storage, inverter setup, wire pull, conduit installs, any and all hands on training to adhere to workforce development and renewable energy education efforts- which all require patience from contractor team.
6. Agrees to educate up to 2 selected trainees for operation and maintenance for ongoing sustainability of system after installation, facility owner will select up to 2 for the training and contractor agrees to ensure those selected will have all information for upkeep of system
7. Agrees to consistent payment schedule, based on agreed terms during procurement, prior to and after install;
Potential Challenges Include:
Weather. Shipment delays. Flight cancellations. Short construction window for install on rooftops.
Evaluation Criteria:
Native Preference hiring, based on existing VOS policies. (Native owned or operated)
Experience with solar installs
Experience with rooftop solar installations for commercially sized buildings
Experience in working with tribal entities
Current or previous partnerships with solar energy technology manufacturers
Experience in energy education or hands on training
# of Successful rooftop solar installs in rural communities
Has worked with non-profit agencies/energy industry within the State of Alaska (CCHRC, ACEP, NREL AK Campus, UAF Bristol Bay Campus)
Has strong leadership with transparent communication priorities
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:
To submit a proposal for consideration, please address each
• scope of work item (agreeing to or disagreeing)
• provide references,
• example projects listed within the list of Eval criteria,
• provide key personnel resumes,
• provide a detailed budget itemizing time, materials, logistics on an average sized 2000 sq. ft public facility,
• contractors license, insurance, business license to conduct work in Alaska
• BABA manufacturer preferences
DEADLINE TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS: APRIL 4, 2025
Email to deilah@villageofsolomon.org
Mail to Village of Solomon
Attn: Deilah Johnson
PO Box 2053
Nome, AK 99762, Email is preferred over USPS
