The United States Postal Service (USPS) is inviting interested suppliers with implemented renewable energy systems to submit an informational proposal describing how the USPS might use its existing facilities, rooftops and vacant land to host renewable energy projects and technologies. For the purpose of this Request for Information, renewable technologies include but are not limited to energy generated from wind, photovoltaic, biomass .geothermal, fuel cells and hydro. The USPS maintains approximately 34,000 buildings totaling over 320 million square feet and approximately 1.6 billion square feet of land with a presence in every state of the country. The USPS is looking for recommendations for financially viable projects and technologies funded by a combination of capital, incentives and grants, lease agreements, (purchase power agreement (PPA) and/or 3rd party financing. The USPS is looking to retain ownership of the system and the renewable energy credits associated with these systems. In fiscal year 2008, the USPS spent over $650 million on building energy. This Request for Information (RFI) is intended to provide information on the feasibility of achieving a 15% annual cost avoidance with the installation of the proposed renewable energy project(s). Interested Suppliers will include their recommendations to meet this requirement and describe their ability to assist with project implementation. These Informational Proposals will assist the USPS to evaluate market and supplier capability and to pre-qualify suppliers to which a future Request for Proposal (RFP) may be issued. It is not intended that suppliers prepare detailed technical or price proposals in response to the Request for Information but rather to provide basic information regarding their capabilities and experience with the implementation of these projects and their recommendations in broad terms, as to how they would approach working with the USPS to implement renewable projects In their response, suppliers are directed to provide sufficient detail within the prescribed page limitations, to clearly demonstrate and support their present capabilities and experience, how this capability responds to the requirement and how this capability can be leveraged to meet this requirement. The United States Postal Service does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this Request for Information or pay for the information solicited. This Request for Information (RFI) is issued to assist the United States Postal Service (USPS) to better understand and identify what systems are available in the marketplace, in development and or successfully deployed to meet the needs of commercial and government organizations and to evaluate how these systems will meet the USPS requirements for renewable energy. The supplier acknowledges that confidential information might be generated or made available during this Request for Information (RFI) process. In addition to the restriction on disclosure established under the supplier’s code of ethics, the supplier specifically agrees not to disclose any information received or generated under this RFI unless its release is approved in writing by the Contracting Officer. The supplier further agrees to assert any privileges allowed by law to defend vigorously the United States Postal Service rights to confidentiality. The information included in this Request for Information (RFI) will be evaluated by the United States Postal Service Purchase Team to determine the feasibility and strategies to achieve a renewable energy goal as well as identify potential suppliers to perform the work. Submission to this RFI shall include the basic information on company; size, years in business, and relevant experience. Include an executive summary on your Renewable Energy ideas including budget cost estimate for recommended alternatives, investment requirements, return on investment, simple payback and suggested project locations. Provide examples of renewable energy projects completed in the past five (5) years and provide client references for these projects. The complete submission package should not exceed 30 pages. All questions concerning this solicitation shall be directed in writing in WORD format to Michael Bacha at
[email protected]. Proposals are due on December 17, 2008 by 3:00 pm EST and should be hand delivered or mailed (using one of the fine services offered by the Postal Service) to the attention of Michael Bacha, SMFP, Suite 300, 4301 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22203-1840.