The Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) is seeking qualified firms to submit proposals for the design, procurement, and installation of new, residential, direct-owned photovoltaic systems at a per-watt price lower than the typical, single residential installation.
The Solar MKE group buy is being led through a partnership with City of Milwaukee’s solar program, Milwaukee Shines, and the MREA. The goal of the Solar MKE group buy is to increase solar education and installations in City of Milwaukee through a group purchase and competitive bidding process.
The Solar Shorewood group buy is being led through a partnership between the Village of Shorewood and the MREA. The goal of the Solar Shorewood group buy is to increase solar education and installations in Shorewood through a group purchase and competitive bidding process.
With support from the U.S. Department of Energy’s SunShot program, the MREA is coordinating efforts among various Midwest organizations and municipalities to build an open and advantageous solar market that provides long-term benefits to communities. This joint RFP effort between Solar MKE and Solar Shorewood is an example of this cooperation.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
BACKGROUND
Milwaukee Shines, the City of Milwaukee’s solar program, works to expand solar energy use through a comprehensive, citywide approach. In 2008, the City of Milwaukee was named one of 25 Solar America Cities. Milwaukee Shines helps create cleaner air for our community, and helps reduce energy costs for the City and the community at large. Milwaukee Shines is a project of the Environmental Collaboration Office (ECO). In 2013, 2014, and 2015 four solar group buy programs were conducted. The first was Solar Riverwest. Solar Riverwest helped 17 homeowners add solar to their homes at record low prices. The second, Solar Bay View, resulted in 38 homeowners adding solar in 2014. The third combined two neighborhoods – Solar Layton Boulevard West and Solar Washington Heights – and 17 home and business owners installed solar through this group buy program. The most recent iteration of the program focused on Milwaukee’s East Side neighborhoods, resulting in 25 home- and business owners installing solar.
Residents of the Village of Shorewood have expressed interest in participating in a group buy and the Village of Shorewood Conservation Committee has requested technical assistance from MREA to administer a local group buy program.
QUESTIONS:
On page 9 of the RFP, you indicate weekly progress reports. Do you expect a sample or are you simply stating they will be required?
We do not expect a sample of a weekly progress report. The Solar Milwaukee and Solar Shorewood program team will develop the progress report format with the selected contractor.
On page 9 and page 10, you identify responsibilities. Do you want to see those addressed or referenced in the response?
Proposing firms should address how key responsibilities outlined in Exhibit A will be met. These responsibilities should be discussed in various parts of the proposal (e.g. firm profile, business practices, work quality, etc.) rather than point-by-point.
Is it possible for you to format the Exhibit C as a fillable PDF form and send it out?
Please use the Solar-MKE-Solar-Shorewood-RFP2016-Exhibits-B-C.docx file included in the (.zip folder above) to fill out exhibits B and C.
Do you also accept hard copy of the proposal?
Only electronic copies will be accepted. This is so we can review the proposals in a timely manner with our advisory committee.
The RFP has an inconsistency between page Page 8 Sec. 9 b, and Exhibit C regarding the thresholds for tiered pricing. What is the correct tier structure?
The pricing tiers are as follows: Under 50 kW | 50-100 kW | 100-150 kW | 150+ kW.