RFQ - Install Waste Water Treatment Facility Solar Array

TOWN OF SWANZEY 6 2 0 OLD HOMESTE A D H IGH WAY P.O. BOX 10009 SWANZEY, NH 0 3 4 4 6 -0 0 09 T O WN H AL L (6 0 3 ) 3 52 -74 1 1 FAX (6 0 3 ) 35 2 -6 25 0 W W W. TO WN. SWANZEY. N H.U S Request for Qualifications Install Waste Water Treatment Facility Solar Array Proposals due: December 6th, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. Mandatory Site Visit: By Appointment Posting Date: November 13, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. The Town of Swanzey (the Town) is soliciting qualifications for the construction of a 120kW DC Solar Array at our Waste Water Treatment Facility. The property is gated so review of the building must be done at the mandatory site visit by appointment. Summary & Background The Swanzey Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) is an aerated facultative lagoon plant in the Village of West Swanzey. The plant was originally designed for an average flow of 0.160 million gallons per day (MGD). In 2021, the plant average flow was .073 MGD. The collection system consists of over 10 miles of gravity sewers with

three collection system pump stations. The two North Swanzey pump stations direct flow to the nearby Keene Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Spring Street Pump Station directs flow to the WWTF. As wastewater flow enters the plant site, it is first directed to the headworks where the influent passes through a grinder. After preliminary treatment, the flow is directed to the lagoon system for biological treatment. The flow is initially directed to Lagoon #1 and continues to Lagoon #2 and #3 (in series). The lagoons are equipped with aeration diffusers supplied by three available blowers. Flow from Lagoon #3 is directed to the chlorine contact tank where it is disinfected with sodium hypochlorite for chlorination before being discharged to the Ashuelot River. During the summer months, polyaluminum chloride (PAC) is added to meet the plant effluent phosphorous limit. Below is monthly energy use vs plant flow in 2022. In 2016, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES), the New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning (NHOEP) and New Hampshire electric utilities secured funding to perform comprehensive and preliminary process energy evaluations at New Hampshire Wastewater Treatment Facilities. Continued in 2023, NHDES Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) provided funding to the Town of Swanzey to conduct an energy audit at the West Swanzey wastewater treatment facility (WWTF). The energy audit recommended that the town install a Solar PV array to offset the cost of usage. http://www.town.swanzey.nh.us/ 2 Town of Swanzey WWTF Solar Array Figure 1. WWTF 2021 Electric Energy Use and Costs Figured 2. Proposed Location of New PV Array West Swanzey’s WWTF The facility site includes enough space on the west side of Lagoon #1 for a solar PV array to supply most of the power at the plant (based on net metering). This measure recommends a ~120 kWDC system that will provide approximately 140,000 kWh for first year power generation. The intention is to build a solar array that, at a minimum, can provide power for the full operation of the sewer plant and its facilities. As part of the design process, the selected firm will work with the Town of Swanzey to size the array based on electrical demand at this site, and the potential for group net metering benefit at other sites. The Town has already applied and been earmarked for the 2024 CWSRF Pre-Application to receive $250,000 in a reimbursable loan which will be due early 2024. The CWSRF requires a vote of Town Meeting to approve and will be held in March of 2024. In addition to the CWSRF, the Town is seeking assistance from the chosen firm in applying for the Inflation Reduction Act which will cover 60% of the total project cost. 3 Town of Swanzey WWTF Solar Array Scope of Work The project involves the design, procurement, construction, and commissioning of a 120kWC DC Solar Array at the Town's Waste Water Treatment Facility, located at 56 Denman Thompson Highway. Applicants are required to qualify and apply for the Inflation Reduction Act Solar Tax Incentive, which is available for renewable energy projects in our region. The Town will provide guidance and assistance in the application process, but it is the responsibility of the selected firm to secure this tax incentive. The selected construction management firm will be hired to assist with key project planning considerations, including but not limited to: 1. Preparation of cost estimates and budget in conjunction with the energy audit provided by Process Energy 2. Apply to the CWSRF and other applicable state/federal energy credit programs. 3. Site analysis for optimal placement of panels 4. Address constructability and scheduling issues 5. Engineering plans when required 6. Construction planning and supervision The Town plans to have the 2024 CWSRF pay for approximately 50% of the total cost of the project as a reimbursable loan. The pre-application has received approval and has been earmarked by DES to receive funds upon completion of the full application. The final application will be due post-town meeting in 2024 and will require assistance from the chosen firm to complete. The CWSRF requires a vote of Town Meeting to approve and will be held in March of 2024. In addition to the CWSRF, the Town is seeking assistance from the chosen firm in applying for the Inflation Reduction Act which will can cover an additional 60% of the total project cost. The Town anticipates selecting the successful firm on December 8th with a notice of award on December 13th. Work to be completed upon a schedule mutually agreeable to the Town and the successful firm either during the 2024 or 2025 year. Completion of the project must be in compliance with all state and federal funding. If an acceptable schedule cannot be agreed to the Town may award the contract to another firm. Submission Requirements Interested firms are required to provide a qualifications package, which should include the following items. Proposals should be limited to a maximum of 15 pages. 1. Cover Letter – A brief cover letter (not to exceed one page). 2. Company Overview – The Company Overview shall include the following, at a minimum: A. Location of corporate headquarters. B. Location of office where the work will be performed. C. Number of years in business for corporate and branch offices. D. Types of engineering services provided by the company. 3. Project Team – Firms shall include a Project Team and Organization Chart including the project manager and listing all individuals who will be assigned to various projects. The Firm shall have a minimum of two licensed professional engineers on staff. Also, firms 4 Town of Swanzey WWTF Solar Array must identify any proposed sub-consultants, their intended scope of services and qualifications and the firm’s previous teaming experience with the sub- consultant(s). Resumes shall be included for each member of the project team and shall be limited to two pages’ maximum per individual. Firms should also provide a list of other available local staff members who could be assigned to the projects. 4. Relevant Project Experience – Firms should list five (5) similar projects for which the Consultant has provided engineering services in the last ten (10) years. The following information shall be included for each project: A. Project location, type and year completed if applicable. B. Owner contact with address and phone number. C. Include brief scope of the project and engineering services provided. D. Construction cost. Selection The Town of Swanzey intends to proceed with selection of a firm utilizing a Qualifications Based Selection (QBS). A technical proposal including a project understanding and project approach is not required at this time and will not be reviewed if submitted. The Town will rank interested firms based on qualifications and experience only. Upon receipt and review of all qualifications, the Town may then choose to interview firms or make a selection based solely on qualifications submittals. The Town may then enter into negotiations with the top rated firm for a fee for services. If the Town cannot reach agreement on a scope and fee with that firm, the Town will begin negotiations with the second rated firm, and so on, until an agreement is reached. General and Special Provisions 1. The Town reserves the right to cancel this Request for Qualifications, or to accept or reject any and all qualifications, waive informalities, and to award contracts in the best public interest of the Town. 2. The firm selected shall be expected to comply with all applicable Federal and State laws in the performance of services. 3. The consideration of all qualifications and subsequent selection of a construction management firm shall be made without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap, religion, political affiliation, or national origin. 4. The provisions relating to non-discrimination and affirmative action in employment shall flow through all contracts and sub-contracts that the successful firm may award as a result of this contract. 5. Firms and/or individuals preparing qualifications may be asked to provide additional information and/or may be requested to make a presentation. 6. Qualifications shall be unconditional. 7. Selection shall be subject to additional discussions and/or negotiations based on qualifications received. 8. The Town of Swanzey is an equal opportunity employer. Women and minority owned businesses are encouraged to apply. 9. Each prospective consultant’s qualifications shall include a letter of transmittal not to exceed one (1) page, signed by an individual(s) authorized to bind the prospective Consultant contractually. This letter shall state that the Qualifications will remain valid for ninety days (90) from the date of submission of the Qualifications and thereafter until the 5 Town of Swanzey WWTF Solar Array prospective consultant withdraws it, a contract is executed, the procurement is terminated by the Town, or whichever occurs first. 10. The transmittal letter shall include the name, title, address and telephone number of one (1) or more individuals who can respond to requests for additional information and also, of one (1) or more individuals who are authorized to negotiate and execute a contract on the prospective consultant’s behalf, if applicable. 11. As this project is grant funded, the Domestic Preferences for Procurement (2 C.F.R. & 200.322) should be followed: As appropriate and to the extent consistent with law, to the greatest extent practicable, there is a preference for the purchase, acquisition, or use of goods, products, or materials produced in the United States (including but not limited to iron, aluminum, steel, cement, and other manufactured products). The requirements of this section must be included in all sub awards including all contracts and purchase orders for work or products under this award. Submission Information To be considered complete, submissions must include three (3) copies of Statements of Qualifications plus one in PDF format on a flash drive and must be delivered by the deadline above to Julius Peel, Town Planner, Town of Swanzey, 620 Old Homestead Hwy., PO Box 10009, Swanzey, NH 03446 in a sealed envelope clearly marked: “WWTF Solar Array”. The Town of Swanzey reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or accept the proposal the Town deems to be in its best interest. The Town reserves the right to request additional data or information or a presentation in support of written proposals, however the Town may award a contract based on the proposals received, without additional submissions. The Town further reserves the right to: • Not award a contract for the requested services; • Waive any irregularities or informalities in any proposals; • Accept the proposal deemed to be the most beneficial to the public and the Town; • Negotiate and accept, without advertising, the proposal of any other company in the event a contract cannot be successfully negotiated with the selected firm; and • Retain products submitted by companies for its own use at its sole discretion. Any technical questions regarding this request for qualifications should be directed to the Town Planner in writing at jpeel@swanzeynh.gov. Questions must be submitted by November 29th, 2023 and then will be addressed in an addendum posted on the Town’s website Contractor Opportunities page by December 1st, 2023. Direct Mail: Revision Energy; Granite State Solar Posted November 13, 2023: Town website, NH Municipal Association.