The General Services Administration (GSA) GSA New England is seeking qualified installers of micro-turbines and wind turbines to provide sufficient information to allow for an informed evaluation and decision as to the application of the two technologies as a secure, stand alone, 24/7 power supply for the Armstrong-Jackman International Border Station (Border Station) in Jackman, Maine. The facility is located at U.S. Route 201 and the International Point of Entry to the Province of Quebec, Canada. This RFI will be conducted under the [Commercial Items/Negotiated] procedures in accordance with the FAR Part [12/15]. The NAICS code for this service is 221119. Interested firms have 25 calendar days from the date of this synopsis publication to submit in writing to the above named point of contact, clear and convincing documentation of the company?s economic and technical capability to provide the required services, and initial response to the questions asked below. Such documentation will be utilized solely for the purpose of determining the responsibility status of the respondent firms. This notice of intent is for the purpose of determining the availability of Contractors and not a request for competitive proposals. The electric service will be required on October 2008 and a Request for Proposal for this requirement will be determined at a later date based upon the estimated time requirement for environmental studies, right-of-way acquisition, state permitting procedures and utility construction. The Proposed Border Station is a 60,000 sq ft facility with an estimated connected load of 2,400 amps. The GSA is considering the use of LP, propane, diesel, bio diesel, or other fueled micro turbines to provide on site, off grid three-phase power supply for the new Port of Entry. The GSA is also considering the installation of a small wind turbine sized between 20kW ? 100 kW to supplement the micro turbine power plant. Background and Required Services The existing Border Station currently receives single phase, 120/240 volt electrical service from Hydro-Quebec Distribution, the government-owned electrical distribution utility firm. Due to a major renovation and expansion of the Border Station, three-phase, 120/208 volt, electric service will be required as a permanent electrical service. The nearest known source of three phase electric distribution facilities are from the Central Maine Power Company in the vicinity of the town of Jackman, Maine and Hydro-Quebec Distribution on the Quebec province side of the International Boundary. In order to supply three-phase service a fifteen mile three-phase line extension from the nearest source of power will be required. Based on the estimated diversified electrical demand of approximately 1200 amps the new facility will use approximately 433 kilowatts and the estimated load factor projected to be in excess of 50 percent estimated annual electrical usage of 460,000 kilowatt-hours. The facilities to the Border Station shall meet the legal requirements of the local and/or state governmental bodies seeking approval and all facilities located on Government property shall be placed underground utilizing [pad-mounted/submersible] equipment suitable for [surface/vault] use. The GSA is seeking answers to the following: How feasible is the idea of building a secure, 24/7 on site power plant using micro turbines? What would the installation entail? How many micro turbines would be necessary to supply 100% of the stated facility needs? Would the micro turbines need to be housed? Could the micro turbines be used in a combined heat and power scenario? If so how much heat would be produced from the micro turbines? How would the heat be recovered and delivered to occupied space? Could the micro turbines be duel fueled? What is the projected availability for one or more secure fuel sources? How would the installation of a CHP micro turbine power plant, impact the current design, consisting of oil fired, cast iron hot water boilers and AHU?s with chilled water coils? What type of maintenance would be needed over the life of the facility? How would a 20kW ? 100 kW wind turbine be integrated? Would the planned emergency generator (diesel fueled) be obsolete, or required? What would be the approximate installed cost to the GSA if a micro turbine CHP plant were selected? Is it possible to purchase the heat and power from a micro turbine CHP plant and windmill and have the plant owned and operated by the installer? What would be the financial implications of such an arrangement? What Authorities having jurisdiction/oversight of the New England Grid, or the State of Maine, or the Province of Quebec would need to be notified? Could we maintain the current single phase grid connection, while being powered on site? What would that cost? How could that existing single phase power line best be utilized? What are the qualifications of the installer/owner/operator? Note: to assist qualified responders to this RFI, the following documents are available: The AWS True Wind report titled Wind Energy Siting Recommendations for the Jackman Border Facility and a translated synopsis of Hydro Quebec?s interconnection requirements (E.1205 document) for power stations with their grid. These reports are for shared information only, and in no way shall be construed as final, fact, or directional. To receive a copy please send a request to
[email protected]. Regulatory Status The northern portion of Somerset County, Maine is not part of an existing utility supplier?s franchised service territory. Currently, as a result of the facility?s regulatory status, no utility supplier or party has the responsibility or the absolute right to provide service to the Border Station. Also, based upon preliminary discussions with the Maine Public Utilities Commission (Commission), it is unlikely that any party seeking to provide service to the Border station will be required to obtain its formal approval or obtain a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity to install facilities to the Border Station.