Cabell County

 

Request for Qualifications for

Performance Contracting Services

 

 

Cabell County is requesting proposals from interested and qualified performance-based contractors for the following project:

 

Evaluation and implementation of a guaranteed cost reduction program for Cabell County facilities in accordance with Federal Efficiency & Energy Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG).

 

The objective in issuing this Request for Qualifications is to solicit proposals of qualifications from companies that have the experience, capability, and track record to provide guaranteed upgrades to the existing facilities and county infrastructure through performance-based contracting.  The selected performance-based contractor shall provide Cabell County a comprehensive program to reduce costs and upgrade facilities and county infrastructure including: (a) performing energy audits, (b) provide information required to successfully apply for EECBG funds, (c) design and installation of energy efficient equipment and systems, (d) training of existing personnel in the operation and maintenance of installed systems, (e) training of staff on energy education and awareness,  (f) monitoring and reporting of energy, costs and systems, and (g) a written guarantee that existing operating expenses from energy,  and operating cost reductions achieved through this program.

 

All qualified firms interested in providing the specified performance-based contracting services should respond with a written proposal to Cabell County.  Final selection will be made in accordance with the policies and administrative directive of Cabell County and other statutory provisions.  Responses must be received by 10:00 A.M. Monday, July 6, 2009 at the Cabell County Commission, Suite 300 750 5th Avenue, Huntington, WV 25701 after which time and date they will no longer be accepted.  Late responses will be returned and will not be considered. 

 

 

Section I -- General Information

 

1)   Purpose

      This Request for Qualifications (RFQ), request’s qualifications from companies for performance-based contracting services utilized to develop and implement cost reducing strategies in accordance with the Federal Efficiency & Energy Conservation Block Grant Program at the Cabell County facilities.  The purpose is to provide facility/infrastructure improvements and upgrades in order to reduce energy costs and preserve the integrity of facility related systems.  Timely implementation of this project is of the essence.

 

2)   Performance-Based Contracting

      For the purposes of this document, “Performance-Based Contract” means a contract that provides facility auditing services for the purpose of maximizing energy savings and implementing improvements and upgrades for energy efficient equipment and service.

 

3)   Redirected Funds Guarantee

      The guarantee shall be monitored and reported per the requirements of the Federal Efficiency & Energy Conservation Block Grant Program commencing after the date of completion of all installation activities.  In the event that the actual operational and energy redirected funds are less than the guaranteed redirected funds, the performance-based contractor shall provide a cash reconciliation of the difference.  The performance-based contractor's guarantee shall be a first party direct guarantee from the contractor to Cabell County.  A third-party guarantee or performance bond in lieu of the guarantee is not acceptable.

 

4)   Eligible Bidders

      Only qualified performance based contractors will be considered.  Responses from other parties shall not be considered.

 

5)   Proposal Format

      Proposals must be submitted in the format outlined in this document.  Each proposal will be reviewed to determine if it is complete prior to actual evaluation. Respondents shall use the prescribed format to clearly indicate their experience and qualifications, describe their technical approach to this project, and fully describe their proposed guaranteed redirected funds contract.  Proposals will be evaluated in light of the material and substantiating evidence presented in the proposal, and not on the basis of what is inferred.

 

6)   Contract Responsibility

      The selected contractor will be required to assume total responsibility for all services offered in the proposal.  The selected contractor will be considered the prime contractor and the sole point of contact with regard to all contractual matters such as engineering, vendor and subcontractor coordination, commissioning, and report generation per the Federal Efficiency & Energy Conservation Block Grant Program.

 

7)   General Requirements

      Prior to award of a contract, the performance-based contractor shall comply with all General Conditions as required by Cabell County.

 

8) Taxes, Fees, Code Compliance, Licensing

      The performance-based contractor shall be responsible for payment of any required taxes or fees associated with the execution of the guaranteed contract.  The performance-based contractor shall be responsible for compliance with all applicable codes and Statutes.  All engineering, design, installation and construction work shall be done by contractors licensed in the State of West Virginia.

 

9)   References and Proprietary Information

      Submission of a response deems permission to make inquiries concerning the respondent and its officers and to any persons or firms deemed appropriate by Cabell County.  All data or information provided will be used by Cabell County for the purpose of evaluation and contract negotiations and will become public record upon receipt by the County.

 

10) Inquiries

      Questions that arise from respondents prior to proposal submission shall be submitted in writing to Cabell County.  The point of contact for these questions shall be Stephen Zoeller, County Manager at 304-526-8634 or by e-mail to: szoeller@cabellcounty.org.

 

11) Schedule of Events

      Cabell County expects to undertake the selection process according to the following schedule:

 

      Request for Qualifications Issued:  June 23, 2009

      Submission of Proposals:  July 6, 2009

      Scheduled Interviews: TBD

 

 

Section II -- Response Format and Preparation Instructions

 

Responses must be submitted in the format outlined in this section.  Provide three (3) copies of your responses.  Each response will be reviewed to determine if it is complete prior to actual evaluation. Cabell County reserves the right to eliminate from further consideration any response that is deemed to be substantially or materially unresponsive to the requests for information contained in this section.  The intent of Cabell County is that all responses follow the same format in order to evaluate each response fairly.  Proposals will be evaluated in light of the material and substantiating evidence presented in the proposal, and not on the basis of what is inferred.

 

Begin each section and subsection described herein on a separate page.  Number the pages in each section consecutively.  Each page shall have the name of the respondent indicated clearly at the bottom right corner of each page.

 

1.         Table of Contents

Responses shall include a table of contents properly indicating the section and page numbers of the information included.

 

2.         Executive Summary

Responses shall include an abstract of no more than two (2) pages on the information presented in the proposal and the contractor’s unique qualifications and services.

 

3.         Background, Experience & Capabilities

 

A.         Background and Firm Profile

Provide general information on the responding firm, including; name, business address, local telephone number, officers of the firm, and contact person for this project.  Indicate the age of the company, number of years in performance-based contracting, number of guaranteed performance contracts, and the firm’s approach to performance-based contracting.  Also include a complete description of the firm’s operational and maintenance support service strength and capabilities after project execution.

 

B.         Project Team

List the members of the project team.  Provide a list of the personnel to be used on this project and their qualifications.  A one-page resume including education, experience, and any other pertinent information shall be included for each team member assigned to this project.

 

C.        References

The respondent shall include references that shall indicate the prior relevant work experience of the prime contractor.  References shall be of the type and format described below:

 

1)         Performance-Based Contracting – Provide three (3) references.  Provide the owner's name, address, telephone number, and contact person for each reference.  References for projects where the responding firm was not the prime contractor are not acceptable.  Cabell County is particularly interested in performance-based contracting references in the public sector market from within the state of West Virginia.

 

4.         Technical Approach

 

A.         Needs Analysis

Indicate the respondent’s approach to performing detailed audits, identification and design of improvement measures.

 

B.         Training

Provide detailed information on the training programs available to in-house maintenance personnel. The respondent will also include programs available for promoting energy awareness among County personnel.

 

C.        Project Management

Indicate your firm’s approach to managing the project.  Include a timeline showing the necessary activities and schedule for implementation of the project.  Describe the various responsibilities and coordination of your team members for effective project management.


D.        Redirected Fund Projections

Indicate your firm’s approach to projecting the redirected funds from the energy conservation methods and from the newly created revenues that will be redirected as a result of this project.  Describe the methodology, formulas, and reporting of energy redirected funds and from the newly created revenues.  Describe the processes and tools used to effectively project these redirected funds.

 

 

5.         Financial Approach

 

A.         Financing Source

Describe the sources and types of financing the respondent will use to implement this project.  Indicate the prior use and experience with this method of financing.

 

B.         Guarantee Documents

Provide a copy of the performance guarantee documents to be used for this project.  Describe the reconciliation process of the guarantee.

 

C.        Standards of Service

Describe the method and documentation of standards of service for this project including maintenance responsibilities, occupancy schedules, operational cost reductions, etc. 

 

D.        Redirected Funds Calculations and Monitoring

Indicate your firm’s approach to proving the energy redirected funds associated with the project.  Provide the energy redirected funds calculation document, which will become an attachment to the guaranteed redirected funds contract.  Describe the methodology, formulas, and compliance with the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP) for redirected funds calculations and monitoring of energy-redirected funds.  Describe the processes and tools used to effectively monitor redirected funds from revenue and energy conservation measures.

 

6.         Other Benefits

Describe any other benefits Cabell County will realize through this guaranteed redirected funds contract.

 


Section III -- Selection Criteria

 

1.         Completeness

Each response will be reviewed prior to the selection process for completeness and adherence to format. 

 

2.         Formal Evaluation

 

A.         Evaluation Process

Cabell County will appoint a selection committee to formally evaluate each response.  The evaluation process will objectively review the responses on their merit and responsiveness.  Responses will be evaluated in light of the material and substantiating evidence presented in the response, and not on the basis of what is inferred.  The evaluation process will include verification of performance-based contracting references, verification of project team resumes, confirmation of financial information, and/or other information as directed by Cabell County.

 

B.         Evaluation Criteria

 

Experience & Background

 

 

 

 

Technical Approach

 

 

 

 

 

Financial Approach

 

 

 

 

 

Other Benefits

 

 

3.         Final Selection/Notification

The respondent with the highest qualifications following the evaluation process shall be selected.  Cabell County will notify the selected firm.

 

4.         Project Development Agreement (PDA)

Once a final selection has been made, the selected contractor will submit a PDA which, when approved by Cabell County, will allow the selected contractor to proceed with a detailed audit, engineering design, and financial analysis of the Cabell County facilities and infrastructure.