Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) is seeking qualified firms (“Proposing firms” or “Proposers”) to submit proposals for the provision of estimates and the design, procurement, and installation of new residential and commercial photovoltaic (PV) systems at a per-watt price lower than the prevailing single system market rate.
The “group buy” program is being led by Midwest Renewable Energy Association. The goal of the program is to increase consumer education and PV installations in Wayne County, MI, through a group purchase involving a competitive contractor selection process, an advantageous pricing and rebate structure, and free information sessions.
Between 2013 and 2020, the MREA facilitated forty-two Solar Group Buy programs around the Midwest, reaching over 10,000 individuals with our Solar Power Hour information sessions, and leading to more than 14,000 kW on over 1,900 properties. Among those property owners who received proposals from partnering contractors, an average 40% purchased a PV system. To date, the average system size is 7.15 kW.
The group buy program for 2021 is offered with support from MREA and visibility and awareness generated by Soulardarity, Highland Park, Parker Village, Detroit Green Task Force – Renewable Energy Subcommittee, Hope Village Revitalization, and We Want Green Too. MREA will coordinate and deliver a minimum of 15 free, public Solar Power Hour information sessions and market them widely with physical posters, email blasts, paid social media promotion, in the press, and more.
This program will also include paid internships for participants in a solar workforce development partnership between MREA and Soulardarity. The selected installer will accept 2-3 interns for on-the-job training. Interns shall be hired by the installer from the pool of trainees who finish MREA’s training program in Highland Park. More details can be found on page 11. In addition, the selected installer will be hired for installation of approximately 4 kWDC on The Avalon Village and approximately 6.5 kWDC on We Want Green Too per specifications in this RFP for (see Exhibit D). Funding for these installations is courtesy of Hammond Climate Solutions’ Solar Moonshot Program.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD RFP
RFP Announced August 11, 2021
RFP Questions Due/Posted August 25, 2021
RFP Proposals Due September 1, 2021
Proposal Selected September 15,2021
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Under the Pricing Section
IX (C)
…cost estimate of a battery-based system..(in the Additional Cost Factors)
Question 1: Is funding beyond $25K available to cover the cost of a battery solution? We are asking for you to include an energy storage option for customers and include pricing for such an option on the adders sheet on page 15.
IX (G)
Administrative fee of $5K…due…firm.…upon selection…equivalent of .10/w for 50kw
Question 2: Example given references 50kw, but this project is only for 10.5kw so is the amount due $1,050? The $5,000 represents the first 50kW of installed capacity through the program.
Question 3: Is this a per project fee? Per structure fee? 2x$5K etc.? No.
Question 4: Is baseline pricing at $3.10/w competitive based on the stated goal of “lower than the prevailing single system market rate”? No, it’s simply an example for illustrative purposes.
Under the Scope of Work Section
Question 5. Who pays for delivery of educational workshops? MREA is responsible for coordinating and delivering educational presentations.
Question 6. How many workshops are required? We expect a representative from the selected installer to attend each presentation. At this point we plan to offer 15 presentations. These will be webinars until it becomes safe to offer in-person presentations.
Question 7. Who pays for the 160-hour internship position? We will offer $1,200 160 hour internships: this includes $600 payment going directly to the intern at the end of the internship (these funds cannot be used to pay contractors) and an additional $600 going to the contractor at the end of the internship.
Question 8. Will intern – upon completion of internship – have a contractual obligation to remain as an employee of the contractor organization for some defined time period following completion of internship? Contractor would not have an obligation for continued employment