Chapter 267-24 GEORGIA SOLAR ENERGY AWARENESS PROJECT CONTRACT FOR PROJECT MANAGEMENT REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Rule 267-24-.01 Purpose

The Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (the Authority) is funding the purchase and installation of an electricity-generating photovoltaic array, henceforth referred to as the PROJECT. The goal of the PROJECT is to stimulate public awareness of solar energy technology and improve air quality in Georgia.

The Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority is requesting Proposals from applicants interested managing the PROJECT.

Rule 267-24-.02 The Name of the Project

Georgia Solar Energy Awareness Project

Request for Proposals

Rule 267-24-.03 The Citation to Statutory Basis for the Project in the Official Code of Georgia Annotated or Other General Law of the State of Georgia

The project will be funded by Division of Energy Resources of the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority through the State Energy Program Formula Grant and local match from public and private sources.

Rule 267-24-.04 The General Scope and Purpose of the Project

A crucial part of the Authority's Mission is to provide financing and other support services for energy programs. To this end, the Authority sees twofold value in a high-profile, solar energy project. First, direct benefits are derived from the application of solar energy to uses that would otherwise require the burning of fossil fuels (i.e. electricity generation). This PROJECT will eliminate the need to burn fossil fuels to produce an equivalent amount of electricity, and therefore directly benefit Georgia's natural environment and citizens' health. Furthermore, a large and plainly visible photovoltaic solar array will increase public awareness of the technology. The PROJECT itself will serve as a promotion of renewable energy technology and evidence of its feasibility.

The PROJECT will require the cooperation of representatives from State & Local Government, as well as private sector representatives. Potential contractors interested in the PROJECT must comply with the requirements described below. The selection process consists of three phases. Phase I is the response, or Proposal, from applicants according to the requirements of this FOGA. Applicants' Proposals must include a cover letter explaining their availability and interest, and must provide information addressing Sections l and 2. Phase II is the evaluations of the Proposals. Phase III consists of interviews with the top finalists, if deemed necessary.

QUALIFICATIONS

For the PROJECT, describe the applicant's qualifications in the areas of:

Rule 267-24-.05 General Terms and Conditions of the Project

The contract for this project will be for one year with an option to extend the contract until the PROJECT is completed. It is anticipated that work will begin in the fall of 2004.

GEFA reserves the right to reject any and all submittals, to withdraw this Request for Proposals, to withdraw from contract negotiations, and/or to re-issue this Request for Proposals at a later time.

Rule 267-24-.06 Eligible Recipients of the Project

The contractor must be a local government capable of managing a construction project of this scale. The contractor should also have a good understanding of renewable energy issues, as well as other skills that are detailed in Sections 1 and 2.

Rule 267-24-.07 The Criteria for the Award of the Project

Criteria includes qualifications of personnel, ability to locate private sector partners and secure other sources of funding, ability to complete work on time, knowledge and experience with federal contract administration requirements, availability of a high-profile project site, and ability to maintain the array over the long-term.

SELECTION PROCESS

Phase II - Evaluation of Proposal

Each submitted Proposal will be evaluated and ranked from highest to lowest by the Authority.

Upon completion of this evaluation, the field of applicants will be narrowed to a list of not more than three top candidates, and invited to participate in Phase III of the Selection Process, if necessary.

Phase III - Interview with Finalists

Phase III will include an interview of the applicant(s) and will take place in the GEFA Conference Room, 100 Peachtree St. NW, Suite 2090, Atlanta. The interview will include a presentation by the applicant(s) on how they plan to manage the PROJECT, and a question-and-answer period. The interview will last no longer than 90 minutes.

Final Candidate Selection

Following Phase III of the process, a final selection will be made of the applicant best qualified to accomplish the objectives of the PROJECT. Final selection will be based on scores derived from the interview between each Phase III applicant and the Authority, as well as from their Proposal.

Each applicant will be ranked from highest to lowest, with a total of 200 possible points as follows:

Proposal 150 points

Interview 50 points

GEFA will attempt to negotiate a final Contract and Budget with the selected applicant. If the negotiation process with the selected applicant is not successful within ten (10) business days, GEFA may attempt to negotiate with the second highest ranked applicant. If this negotiation is not successful within ten (10) business days, then GEFA may attempt to negotiate with the third highest ranked applicant.

The Proposal should be submitted in accordance with the time frames and other requirements set forth in Phase I. It is anticipated that Phase II of the selection process will be completed within seven days of the required due date for all Proposals.

It is anticipated that within seven days of the last interview with the applicants the Authority will complete its selection of the final applicant.

Rule 267-24-.08 Directions and Deadlines for Applying for Such Project

Those interested in being considered for this project should present a copy of the Proposal to GEFA by May 21, 2004. Proposals may also be submitted in electronic format via e-mail to richard@gefa.ga.gov [File Link Not Available] . The Authority may request additional information after the Proposals have been reviewed. The Authority may schedule applicant interviews, if necessary.

Questions concerning this RFP may be submitted prior to May 18, 2004. Questions should be submitted to Richard Ross at (404) 463-3864 or richard@gefa.ga.gov. Answers will be made available to all interested parties.

Submittals of Proposals should be no more than five (5) pages in length (exclusive of cover sheet) and must include (in addition to the information provided in response to sections 1 and 2) the following information: