SOLICITATION NOTICE
A -- Regional Test Centers
- Notice Date
- 4/30/2009
- Notice Type
- Cancellation
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- Department of Energy, Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC (DOE Contractor), National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Boulevard, Golden, Colorado, 80401
- ZIP Code
- 80401
- Solicitation Number
- AM-9-99429
- Archive Date
- 6/12/2009
- Point of Contact
- Neil D Wikstrom,, Phone: 303-384-6960
- E-Mail Address
-
neil.wikstrom@nrel.gov
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), through its National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), will release a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the establishment of Regional Test Centers (RTCs) to test small wind turbines to International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) small wind turbine (SWT) test standards, plus any tests in the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) draft standards that are not in the IEC standards. Background: Reducing barriers to the expansion of wind energy is an important goal for DOE’s Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program. One of the barriers for the distributed wind market is the lack of small turbines that are independently tested and certified. The small wind turbine buying public has long needed a means of distinguishing good, safe wind turbines from products that do not perform as advertised or are hazardous. The IEC has developed standards for testing and evaluation of small wind turbines. NREL has developed a testing capability that is accredited by the American Association of Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) and is widely recognized as a competent testing organization. DOE/NREL proposes to partner with other entities to establish small wind Regional Test Centers (RTCs). These RTCs will expand small wind turbine testing capability within the United States and allow cost effective testing of small wind turbines to the IEC standard. These test results can be used to obtain third party certification by the Small Wind Certification Council (SWCC) or other certification body. It is anticipated that a large number of tested and certified turbines will help grow the industry by increasing consumer acceptance of Small Wind Turbine (SWT) technology. Other anticipated benefits include: - Providing locations where potential buyers can see wind turbines in action - Provide a focus for workforce and curriculum development efforts at post secondary institutions - Broader knowledge within the SWT turbine community about how SWTs work. Objectives 1) To establish Regional Test Centers capable of testing small wind turbines to IEC small wind turbine test standards. 2) To conduct independent testing, per the IEC small wind test standards, to provide high-quality, independent test results for up to eight small turbines. It is anticipated that the test results may be used by the turbine manufacturer to apply for certification from a certification body, such as SWCC, for the tested turbine. The solicitation will target entities capable of conducting high quality testing of small wind turbines. It will be the responsibility of the RTCs to find one or more small wind turbine manufacturers with turbines to test, with which to partner. These turbines should be commercially available turbines that have a high probability of success in the US market over the next several years. Solicitation Plan DOE/NREL plans to release an RFP in summer 2009. DOE/ NREL anticipates awarding subcontracts to up to four RTCs to test a total of up to eight turbines. NREL intends to use a firm fixed price type of subcontract. DOE/NREL currently intends to offer price support of up to $150,000 per subcontract based on testing two wind turbines. The subcontract value will be independent of the size of the turbine and the installation requirements. DOE/NREL expects the period of performance to run for 30-36 months. NREL plans to provide technical assistance to the RTCs based upon DOE funding. This assistance may include an annual RTC conference, visits by NREL personnel, and providing assistance as needed on an informal basis. Planned Scope of Work The RTC will establish the infrastructure (facilities, staff, & equipment) necessary to test small wind turbines to the IEC standard. The RTC will coordinate with the manufacturer for installation of the turbine systems at its site, evaluate the turbines through testing and other observations over a test period of up to 18 months (need to meet duration standard of 2500 hours of operation), and report its findings on a publically available web site. DOE/NREL expects the wind turbine manufacturer to provide a complete turbine system to the RTC, provide documentation, and assist with installation and maintenance. Planned Requirements Proposed RTCs must have, or be able to procure, the facilities, staff, and equipment required to conduct testing to IEC standards and be able to raise at least the minimum price participation (20%). Turbines to be tested must meet the following criteria a. Manufacturer’s ability to manufacture and supply turbines for the U.S. market, and provide the associated installation & maintenance support. b. Generate electricity for use on a 60 Hz AC grid or for a 12, 24, 36, or 48v battery system. Mechanical turbines and direct connect (variable voltage) generator/motor configurations will not be accepted; c. Rotor swept area less than or equal to 200 m2; d. New, not refurbished; e. Meet National Electric Code (NEC) electrical safety requirements such as circuit protection and anti-islanding provisions; f. Available for shipment and installation at the RTC. Planned Selection Criteria a. Business plan to ensure the RTC can remain in business after DOE/NREL funding is no longer available. b. Past experience with small wind turbines and testing c. Experience & knowledge of proposed staff d. Suitability of the proposed facilities & equipment for wind turbine testing e. Price participation f. Plan to release test results to the public DOE/NREL will also consider RTC diversity, turbine configuration diversity and geographic diversity. Note The RFP will require the RTC to provide information about proposed staffing, facilities and equipment, past experience with small wind turbines and testing, and business plan sustainability. For each turbine the RTC proposes to test the RFP will require information such as: power curve; selling cost; turbine features; maintenance requirements; warranty; UL rating of the inverter and other components; sales history, especially in the last year; number of turbines currently installed; tower options; number of dealers/installers; manufacturing volume capacity; and, the capabilities to support the product for the life of the turbine system. Expressions of Interest The purpose of this Sources Sought notice is to obtain an indication of the level of interest by industry participants, both potential RTCs and small wind turbine manufacturers in the project described in the Solicitation Plan and to develop a Bidders List. Failure to respond to this notice will not disqualify anyone from participation in the solicitation, but those that do respond to this notice are assured of receiving the RFP & notification of related activities, and of being listed in the RFP if so desired. Expressions of interest should not include detailed proposals, but should include the following information: the names, addresses, telephone numbers, facsimile numbers and email addresses of the primary contact person; a statement indicating whether or not the respondent wishes to receive a copy of the RFP, a statement indicating whether the participant wishes to be listed in the RFP, and (optionally) comments on the proposed Regional Test Center project. Potential RTCs may provide a brief background of their small wind and testing experience. Small wind turbine manufacturers may provide a brief description of the turbine (a brochure may be provided); NREL proposes to list interested potential RTCs and manufacturers in the RFP to make it easier for potential participants to find partners. Responses to this notice should not exceed – 5 pages; a product brochure may be attached to the response. Responses should be received at NREL by 29 May 2009. This is not a request for proposals. Please send responses (by mail, facsimile or email) to Relevant Documents IEC 61400-2 IEC 61400-11 IEC 61400-12-1 AWEA Draft Standards
- Web Link
-
FedBizOpps Complete View
(https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=795fc1d4dfa7464e56fdb9683a0474c3&tab=core&_cview=1)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Proposers Facility, United States
- Record
- SN01806096-W 20090502/090430221609-cb2ea98edeb053b7e64090e3ad78e594 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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