UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS Procurement & Contract Services

E-Solicitation Cover Page

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) NO. 14P0002TR

TITLE OF SOLICITATION: POWER CONVERTER

The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) is requesting proposals from qualified companies (Offerors) to provide a Power Converter for the Power Systems Integration (PSI) laboratory operated by the Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP).

EMAIL OR DELIVER PROPOSALS

For Physical Delivery of electronic media:

University of Alaska Fairbanks Procurement & Contract Services

3295 College Road, Suite 103 Fairbanks, Alaska 99709

By Email to: tlrahlfs@alaska.edu

SUBMITTAL DEADLINE:

PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN

December 18, 2013 3:00 PM Alaska Time

FAXED, PRINTED OR LATE PROPOSALS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED

PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE:

None scheduled at this time.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF

QUESTIONS: December 11, 2013

RFP ISSUE DATE:

November 15, 2013

NOTE: Faxed or telegraphed proposals, or proposals submitted by any means other than described in this announcement will not be accepted and will be rejected as non-responsive.

NOTICE TO OFFERORS

POINT OF CONTACT FOR RFP INQUIRIES: Terry Rahlfs, Contracting Officer

Email: tlrahlfs@alaska.edu Telephone: ( 907) 474-6471

Fax: (907) 474-7720

The person listed above is the only point of contact for any inquiries regarding any aspect of this RFP or its requirements. Offerors who seek or receive information regarding this solicitation from any other University official may be declared non-responsive and removed from further consideration. A copy of this solicitation, supporting documents, and any amendments, if issued, may be accessed from the UAF Procurement & Contract Services website: http://www.uaf.edu/procurement/community/solicitations/.

AVAILABILITY OF FUNDING

Any contract resulting from this RFP will only be issued subject to the availability of funding. The

funding source allows or does not allow application of Alaska preference laws.

PROCUREMENT OFFICER

Terry Rahlfs Contracting Officer

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Electronic Signature Page

By signing this document, your company is attesting to its understanding, agreement and compliance with all forms and documents indicated with an “X”, below. Any exceptions shall be explained on the Statement of Compliance Form. Failure to provide the required completed documents in the manner requested may result in the proposal being declared non-responsive. The following reference documents are integral to this solicitation and, where applicable, are legally binding.

Solicitation Support Documents & Checklist of Required Forms (links)

Reference documents Required forms

Instructions to Offerors Proposal Transmittal Form

Non-Personal Services Contract and GPs THIS is the Electronic Signature Page

Insurance Requirements Statement of Compliance Form

Glossary of Terms Representations, Certifications & etc.

Rate Response Form

Instructions: The documents listed above are linked to a website for access, download and completion of all forms, where required, and to submit them as described below. If there are questions regarding format, please contact the responsible procurement officer listed on the cover page.

Organize proposal documents as follows: Prepare, save, and submit the proposal as two Adobe PDF files: one PDF file containing the Technical (written narrative) Proposal together with all required forms and other documents, and a second PDF file containing the Rate Response Form and any rate/price related supporting information.

Statement of Compliance Form

Electronic Signature Page

OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

PART A (submit one pdf)REQUIRED FORMS TO BE

SUBMITTED

PART B (submit a second pdf)

Representations, Certifications &

Statement of Bidders/Offerors Form

RATE RESPONSE

FORM

Proposal Transmittal Form

TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

Statement of Compliance Form

Proposals will be accepted ONLY in PDF format on the following media:

USB Flash Memory CD or DVD by E-mail attachment to: tlrahlffs@alaska.edu

Please list the company name and the name and signature of the person

authorized to legally bind the offeror:

Company Name Preparer’s Name and title (print or type) Date

Preparer’s signature:

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UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

NO. 14P0002TR FOR

POWER CONVERTER

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Cover Page...................................................................................................... 1 Electronic Signature Page ............................................................................... 2 Table of Contents ............................................................................................ 3

I. ELECTRONIC PROPOSAL SYSTEM A. Electronic Submittal Procedure .................................................................. 4 B. Electronic version of RFP ........................................................................... 4

II. PURPOSE OF SOLICITATION AND GENERAL INFORMATION A. Purpose of Solicitation ............................................................................... 5 B. General Information ................................................................................... 6 C. Faxed Proposals Shall Not Be Accepted ................................................... 6 D. Basis of Award – Best Value ...................................................................... 7 E. Inquiries/Questions Received Prior to the Deadline for Proposals ............. 7 F. UA Intends to Evaluate Proposals and Award a Contract .......................... 7 G. Contract Type and Kind ............................................................................. 8 H. Period of Acceptance of Proposals ............................................................ 8 I. Approval of Contractor Personnel .............................................................. 8 J. Modification to Contract ............................................................................. 8 K. Contract Administrator ............................................................................... 8 L. Contract Contents ...................................................................................... 9 M. Proprietary Information ............................................................................... 9 N. Requirements of Offerors ........................................................................... 9

III. BACKGROUND INFORMATION A. University of Alaska Organization ............................................................ 10

IV. STATEMENT OF REQUIREMENTS ............................................................. 11 A. Table of Minimum Requirements ............................................................. 11 B. Delivery Requirements ............................................................................. 12 C. Performance Standards and Evaluation Criteria ...................................... 12

V. PROPOSAL EVALUATION AND BASIS OF AWARD ................................. 13 A. Preliminary Administrative Evaluation ...................................................... 13 B. Technical Evaluation Criteria Scoring ...................................................... 14 C. Scoring Methodology ............................................................................... 15 D. Price Evaluation ....................................................................................... 15 E. Best Value Determination......................................................................... 16 F. Best and Final Offers ............................................................................... 16

RATE RESPONSE FORM – available as a linked document on the Electronic Signature Page (see page 2)

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I. ELECTRONIC PROPOSAL SYSTEM

A. ELECTRONIC SUBMITTAL PROCEDURE

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Procurement & Contract Services department (UAF/P&CS) has adopted an online solicitation process to better serve the University, vendors, and the public with the following objectives:

Responsiveness to current business practices through web-based services

Simplify the availability of documents

Facilitate offerors responses to a solicitation

Conserve resources including staff and offeror preparation time

Enhance communications

Foster competition

This solicitation document describes the required services and is complemented by downloadable documents that are listed on the Electronic Signature Page (page 2 of this document). Offerors should download, review, and print the documents listed there at their earliest convenience. Documents are organized in two groups: Reference documents, and Required Forms. All documents and forms should be reviewed and those documents that require signatures shall be submitted with the proposal/offer. The required submittal documents together with the technical narrative proposal shall be assembled in the required order and combined into one electronic PDF. It shall be accompanied by a second PDF file containing the offeror’s rate response form and any other rate/cost information. The RFP (this document), the Rate Response Form and all related documents and REQUIRED FORMS are available from the UAF/P&CS Website: http://www.uaf.edu/procurement/community/solicitations/solicitation- boilerplate/index.xml

B. ELECTRONIC VERSION OF RFP

Offerors may request an MS Word version of this RFP to facilitate preparation of a proposal. The UAF/P&CS Administrative Policy states: "This solicitation is provided in MS Word format to assist offerors to more easily prepare a response to the RFP. The offeror may not add, delete, or alter any language in this solicitation. In the event that there is any difference between the language contained in the MS Word version of the solicitation and the Adobe PDF version accessed on the UAF/P&CS website, the version on the website shall prevail."

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II. PURPOSE OF SOLICITATION AND GENERAL INFORMATION

A. PURPOSE OF SOLICITATION

The Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP) operates a Power Systems Integration (PSI) laboratory intended to test and demonstrate technologies enabling hybrid-diesel isolated microgrids to operate at higher renewable energy contribution levels. The PSI lab is capable of operating at a maximum power level of 500 kW and is designed to emulate a village utility. The lab serves a niche in Alaska by providing opportunities to demonstrate the integration of generation technology from renewable and non-renewable resources, energy storage systems, operating strategies, and to develop control systems to improve reliability and affordability of isolated systems. The lab has significant visibility within the Alaska energy industry, and receives substantial foot traffic from Alaskan utilities, legislators, and funding agencies.

In order to integrate various direct current energy storage devices, ACEP is seeking a flexible IGBT-based power converter system. Flexibility is required in the integration of a variety of energy storage systems at various DC voltages and using various control strategies/modes. The goal of ACEP’s research program is to develop and test components that can ultimately be integrated into a high-contribution renewable energy-diesel electric hybrid system, with the ultimate goal of enabling a “diesel-off” operation of the system. Energy storage devices, and associated converters, are necessary components of such a system.

ACEP is seeking a converter capable of approximately 315 kVA power levels. However, a modular design allowing sizing between 65 kVA and 2500 kVA is preferred in order to provide the PSI lab with the flexibility to work with a broad range of system components as projects are completed and new projects begin.

ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE FOR CONTRACT AWARD

Contract Award date (approximate): January 30, 2014 Delivery date: (no later than) May 2, 2014

NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM

(NAICS) CODE: 335999

NAICS CLASSIFICATION NAME: Power converter units (i.e., AC to

DC), static, manufacturing

In order to qualify as a small business for this solicitation, the company must employ 500 people or less during the preceding twelve (12) month period.

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B. GENERAL INFORMATION

To be considered, an offeror must meet the technical requirements outlined herein, be able to deliver the power converter to the PSI laboratory as specified herein, and submit one (1) electronic proposal (two data files) which must be received by UAF/P&CS, Room 103 Administrative Services Center, 3295 College Road, Fairbanks, Alaska 99709 by the date and time specified on the RFP Cover Sheet, or as subsequently amended.

As stated in the Instructions to offerors, any deviations in a proposal from the requirements of this RFP must be fully disclosed in detail on the Statement of Compliance Form and submitted with the proposal. Failure by an offeror to disclose all such information as required may result in disqualification of that proposal as being non-responsive and removed from further consideration.

In addition to meeting the requirements for technical responsiveness, which include compliance with all RFP requirements, a proposal may not be contingent upon, or subject to, any other contract or agreement, unless required by law, whose terms and conditions may be in conflict with the terms and conditions of the RFP, or whose terms and conditions purport to govern or supersede those of the RFP. Unless specifically allowed, UAF will not accept multiple or alternate offers or offers conditioned or contingent upon receiving award of all or a portion of this and/or another contract award. Offers in conflict with the intent of this paragraph will be rejected as non-responsive.

It is the intent of UAF to evaluate proposals and, if it deems necessary, to schedule oral presentations. Evaluations are expected to be completed soon after the submittal deadline.

This is only a Request for Proposals and is not an order for equipment, and is not a commitment on the part of UA to award a contract.

All offerors submitting proposals are responsible for examining the entire RFP and supplemental documents, including this document and reference materials. Failure to do so shall be at the offeror’s risk.

(Note: The terms offeror(s), vendor(s), and contractor(s) are used interchangeably throughout this solicitation.)

C. FAXED PROPOSALS SHALL NOT BE ACCEPTED

Proposals shall NOT be ACCEPTED by fax transmission, by telex, by any printed means, or by any means other than as electronic files submitted as an e-mail message attachment or by physically delivering a USB drive or a CD/DVD to the UAF/P&CS office before the date listed on the cover page of this RFP. UAF reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.

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D. BASIS OF AWARD – BEST VALUE

This solicitation will be evaluated on the basis of Best Value. Best Value criteria allow for award of a contract to the responsible, responsive offeror whose proposal, in the judgment of UAF, offers the best overall value to the University. This methodology utilizes comparison of competing proposals one to another, and permits award of a contract to other than the highest non-price, technical scored offer, or to other than the lowest-priced offer. Please see the Evaluation and Basis of Award section of this document for more information.

E. INQUIRIES/QUESTIONS RECEIVED PRIOR TO THE DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF PROPOSALS

All questions concerning this RFP shall be addressed by email to Terry Rahlfs, Contracting Officer, Procurement & Contract Services/UAF, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775-7940 (tlrahlfs@alaska.edu), who is the single point of contact for any inquiries regarding this RFP. Offeror’s questions and any University responses will become public records. Questions may also be faxed to (907) 474-7720.

Generally there are two types of questions that arise. The first type typically requires directing the questioner to the specific section of the RFP where the answer may be found. At the option of the University, response to this type of question may be given over the telephone; such questions and answers are unofficial and in no case shall an oral response to a question affect any aspect of the RFP process. The second type of question involves clarifying or interpreting parts of the RFP or the intent of the RFP. While the University has no obligation to respond to such questions, this type of question, and any response, will be made in writing. Any written responses conveying material information will be provided to all recipients of the original solicitation. If any oral responses are given, or claimed to have been given, no person may rely upon them and they will not affect any aspect of this RFP process. Offerors who seek or receive information regarding this solicitation from any University official other than the individual listed above may be declared non-responsive and removed from further consideration.

Note: Prospective offerors are encouraged to submit questions or requests for clarification.

F. UA INTENDS TO EVALUATE PROPOSALS AND AWARD A CONTRACT WITHOUT DISCUSSIONS

Proposals will be reviewed by an evaluation committee in accordance with the criteria and methodology described in the Evaluation and Basis of Award section of this RFP. During the review process, the University reserves the right, where it may serve UA’s best interests, to request additional information or clarifications from offerors and, if the University deems additional discussions or information to

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be useful and/or necessary to the fair and complete evaluation of a proposal, or to allow corrections of errors or omissions. At the discretion of the evaluation committee and the responsible Procurement Officer, offerors may be requested to make oral presentations.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks reserves the right to make award of a contract without conducting negotiations or discussions with offerors. However, UAF reserves the right to conduct discussions with offeror(s) if the Procurement Officer determines that they may be useful and that they will produce the best outcome for UAF.

G. CONTRACT TYPE AND KIND

Any contract awarded as a result of this solicitation will be a firm-fixed price contract. The offered price shall include all plant, labor, hardware, software, travel, shipping and administrative costs associated with providing equipment described in this solicitation.

H. PERIOD OF ACCEPTANCE OF PROPOSALS

Any proposal shall remain valid for a minimum of ninety (90) days after the closing date for receipt of proposals listed on the cover page to this RFP, except as otherwise specified in this solicitation.

I. APPROVAL OF CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL

UAF reserves the right to approve or reject any personnel used by the Contractor (or subcontractors/partners) in the performance of any contract(s) issued as a result of this solicitation without prejudice.

J. MODIFICATIONS TO CONTRACT

The terms and conditions of any contract awarded as a result of this RFP shall only be modified in writing with signatures by duly authorized representatives of both UAF and the contractor.

K. CONTRACT ADMINISTRATOR(S)

The Contract Administrators of any contract(s) awarded as a result of this solicitation will be the Director of the Alaska Center for Energy and Power, or his/her designee.

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L. CONTRACT CONTENTS

The contents of this RFP and the contents of any offer from an offeror subsequently selected for award of a contract will be incorporated, either directly or by selective reference, into a contract issued by UAF, unless terms, conditions, and sample documents provided by the offeror are excluded as contrary to the best interests of UAF.

M. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION

Proposals shall clearly indicate any information which is of a proprietary nature. Proprietary information must be limited to confidential information as defined in Instructions to Offerors (Public Information). Proposals will become public information after award of a contract, in accordance with Alaska law. Once submitted, all proposals become the property of UAF.

N. REQUIREMENTS OF OFFERORS

UAF requires that all Offerors:

1. Format proposals in the order stipulated on the Electronic Signature Page and more fully described elsewhere in this RFP. The technical narrative proposal should be submitted as a single electronic PDF file. (See below regarding Rate Response Form).

2. Answer each question in the order and number that the question is listed. Restate each question, followed by the answer to that question, only. Do not simply refer to an attached document to answer a question. Offerors may attach supplemental materials to enhance understanding of the proposal, but proposals will be evaluated primarily on specific written responses to each question.

3. List the offeror’s price for equipment by completing a Rate Response Form(s) and submit it as a separate PDF file.

4. Fill out and submit a Statement of Compliance form and state that the offer does not include any commissions.

5. Submit the proposal in the form described on the Electronic Signature Page (as TWO PDF files). All proposals must be received no later than 3:00 pm on the date and to the office address listed on the cover page of this RFP, based on either the date and time appearing on the incoming e-mail message, or on the received time if the proposal is physically delivered to the office. Printed, faxed, telegraphed or other electronically transmitted offers will not be accepted. Failure to submit the proposal on time will result in disqualification of the proposal.

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III. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

A. UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ORGANIZATION

The University of Alaska (UA) was established by Congress in 1917 at Fairbanks, Alaska as the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines. In 1935 it was renamed the University of Alaska and in 1959 was established as the State University under the Alaska State Constitution. In 1986, following significant decreases in state funding for the university system, it was restructured from three accredited universities and eleven accredited community colleges to three accredited multi-campus universities and one accredited community college.

UA has expanded to include full-service universities in Fairbanks, Anchorage, and Juneau, a separately accredited community college in Valdez, and college centers in Bethel, Dillingham, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Kotzebue, Nome, Palmer, Sitka, Soldotna, and rural education and extension sites throughout the state. Campuses and rural sites are located in the following communities:

University of Alaska Fairbanks University of Alaska Anchorage

Fairbanks Campus Anchorage Campus Bristol Bay Campus in Dillingham Kenai Peninsula College in Soldotna Chukchi Campus in Kotzebue Kachemak Bay Branch in Homer Kuskokwim Campus in Bethel Matanuska-Susitna Campus in Palmer Community and Technical College Prince William Sound Community

(formerly Tanana Valley Campus) College in Valdez Northwest Campus in Nome Kodiak College in Kodiak

University of Alaska Southeast University of Alaska System Office

Juneau Campus System-wide Administration Sitka Campus Ketchikan Campus

UA is governed by an eleven member Board of Regents appointed by the governor. President Patrick Gamble serves as the chief executive officer for the University system with administrative offices located on the Fairbanks campus. Chancellors head each of the three major regional academic units: the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the University of Alaska Anchorage, and the University of Alaska Southeast.

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IV. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

A. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Specification Requirement

1. Drawings Provide GA drawings and a three-line diagram with the bid.

2. Min. AC Power 313kVA,

3. DC Voltage Range 500 – 1000 VDC

4. AC Voltage 480 VAC, 3-phase

5. AC Frequency 60 Hz

6. Control Mode Selection of the P/Q and V/Hz set points. Operating mode must be available on the local control panel, via communications protocol, and via direct hardwired inputs.

7. Grid Forming Must be able to work in grid forming mode, with appropriate energy storage device.

8. Control Mode Transition While operating, must be able to transition between V/Hz and P/Q mode in order to support “diesel off”.

9. Simulink/SimPowerSystems Model

A validated time-domain model of this product is required 14 days after award of the contract.

10. Com Interface Modbus TCP/IP, DNP3

11. Harmonic and DC current injection at PCC must meet IEEE 1547 or equivalent

If meeting equivalent standard, please explain.

12. Support Telephonic support as needed during installation and commissioning from a qualified engineer or technician.

13. References* Provide references from three customers who purchased this specific or similar model of converter. Include contact information.

*ACEP intends to purchase a Power Converter that has a proven track record, and has demonstrated successful integration in a hybrid system that incorporates energy storage devices. For this reason, vendors shall provide up to three (3) recent customer references for the same offered model or similar, in order to determine past performance of the proposed converter. At the sole discretion of the evaluation committee, references will be assessed to determine whether the proposed equipment meets this requirement.

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B. DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS

UAF has a requested delivery sixty (60) calendar days after receipt of an order (ARO) for the Power Converter, or no later than May 2, 2014. It is anticipated that a purchase order will be issued approximately January 30, 2014.

NOTE: A Simulink/Simpower model is required 14 calendar days after receipt of an order for the converter.

C. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND EVALUATION CRITERIA

1. Control Mode Transitions: UAF is seeking a converter capable of operating a hybrid-diesel micro-grid in temporary diesel-off mode. Describe the converter’s ability to manage a renewable microgrid operating as the sole source of energy in conjunction with an appropriate energy storage system. State the response time to external P and Q step changes in terms of time (number of 60 Hz cycles) to settle into the new P/Q value from the time the set point was received. Describe the methodology used to determine the speed of the transition between control modes stated in the proposal.

2. Flexible Controls: UAF is seeking a product with internal controls to allow the direct management of various energy storage systems. This includes, but is not limited to, the ability to modify AC and DC ramp rates, PID controls, maximum/minimum voltage and current set points, etc. State the automatic and manual switching and isolation devices provided (contactors, isolation switches etc.) and describe the level of control and adjustability of set points available.

3. Fault Ride-Through: UAF is seeking a product with the ability to maintain performance over a broad range of under/over-voltage and under/over-frequency events. State the maximum range of frequency (in Hz) and maximum frequency rate of change (Hz/second), maximum AC bus voltage range (V) and maximum AC side voltage unbalance (defined as % negative sequence voltage/positive sequence voltage) which the converter can operate without loss of performance or tripping. Describe the fault ride-through characteristics, including how the product reacts to the voltage and frequency deviations beyond stated ranges. Describe the overcurrent protection devices, and ratings, installed for the AC and DC main power connections.

4. Scalability: UAF is seeking a modular product that can be scaled from about 65 kVA to about 2500 kVA in AC power levels. Provide the P-Q capability curve of the inverter and state the short term overload capability (duration and amount). Include a description of what, if any, changes in design and control software are required when changing power levels of the converter.

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5. Validated Model: UAF is seeking a product that has been modeled with Simulink/SimPower systems. A Simulink/SimPowerSystems time-domain model of your product shall be submitted upon award. Describe the level of detail available in the model (discrete time or continuous time, switched type or averaged type, the PLL, electronics, fault ride-through functionality, and controls) and how the model has been validated.

6. OPTIONAL: The converter will be connected to the AC bus via a 480V/480-277V Delta Wye isolation transformer (if required). Price offers for a new transformer are requested. Award for the transformer (only) will be made to the lowest priced transformer that is technically acceptable (LPTA). Purchase of the transformer is entirely separate from purchasing the converter. ACEP, at its sole discretion, may or may not choose to purchase the transformer. Offerors may decline, at their discretion, to quote the transformer without negative effect on their proposal for the converter. Offers to provide a transformer that are contingent upon also purchasing the converter will not be considered. The transformer price (if quoted) shall include all freight and transportation costs to ACEP PSI lab. Space is available on the Rate Response Form to quote the price.

V. PROPOSAL EVALUATION AND BASIS OF AWARD

Proposals will be subjected to a preliminary administrative compliance determination and, if in compliance, will be forwarded to an evaluation committee.

Award of a contract may be made, pending the availability of funding, to the responsive, responsible offeror whose proposal is deemed to be the Best Value to UAF.

In a Best Value solicitation, a proposal receiving the highest technical score may not necessarily be selected. Similarly, the University reserves the right to make award to other than the lowest priced offeror without conducting negotiations. Proposals that appear to be unrealistic in terms of program commitments, price, or that reflect an inherent lack of understanding of the complexity and risks of the proposed contractual requirements, may be removed from further consideration.

A. PRELIMINARY ADMINISTRATIVE EVALUATION

All proposals will be evaluated to determine if they are responsive to the administrative and submittal requirements as to form, format, and substance. This administrative evaluation, performed by the responsible Procurement Officer, will determine that:

1. The proposal was received prior to the deadline.

2. The proposal was submitted in the correct format.

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3. The correct forms (electronic files) were submitted in the required order (as described on the Electronic Signature Page): one electronic file containing the technical proposal AND ALL REQUIRED SUBMITTAL FORMS, and a second electronic file containing the Rate Response Form.

4. Proposal forms were properly filled in, signed and dated.

5. Any other necessary forms are included.

6. All material alterations or erasures to any forms, if any, were initialed by the signer of the proposal.

Proposals failing to comply with all administrative requirements may be declared non-responsive and removed from further consideration.

B. TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIA SCORING

Proposals that comply with the preliminary administrative requirements of this RFP will be forwarded to an evaluation committee made up of knowledgeable University employees to review proposals for technical merit according to the requirements and criteria described in this RFP (please see below). The committee will serve under the guidance of the Procurement Officer who serves as chair and ex officio member of the committee. Proposals will be evaluated and scored using a weighted method as follows:

Evaluation Criteria for Power Converter

Weight

1. Control Mode Transitions 30

2. Flexible Controls 25

3. Fault Ride-Through 20

4. Scalability 15

5. Validated Model 10

TOTAL: 100

Non-price, technical evaluations of each proposal will be performed independently by each committee member, with no attempt initially to reach a scoring consensus. The committee may discuss the details and features contained in proposals for the purpose of ensuring there is agreement about what is contained there and/or to clarify parts of an offer which may be unclear.

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C. SCORING METHODOLOGY

Each committee member will independently score each technical criterion of each proposal using a point range of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest possible point score. Each criterion’s points are then multiplied by its weight resulting in a raw weighted score. For example, if Evaluator A assigned a point score of 10 points for criterion 1 – Control mode transitions, above, it would result in a raw weighted score of 300 (10 points X 30 [weight] = 300).

The raw weighted scores of all non-price technical criteria are then summed to achieve a total weighted technical score from each evaluator for each proposal. The total weighted technical scores from each evaluator on each proposal are then summed to achieve an aggregate technical score for each proposal. The aggregate technical scores from all evaluators are then summed and divided by the number of evaluators resulting in an average technical score for each proposal.

Proposals are then ranked from highest to lowest score based on the average technical score of each proposal. The highest attainable technical score is 1,000.

UAF utilizes a weighted scoring methodology to inform prospective offerors of the relative importance of the evaluation criteria, and as an aid to evaluators in assigning a tangible expression of the relative strength or weaknesses of each technical criterion. Based upon the scoring results, the University may seek clarifications or additional information from any or all offerors whose proposals are in the competitive range. The competitive range may include proposals receiving both a minimum score of 600 in the technical evaluation and, in the sole discretion of the procurement officer, achieving a technical score high enough to remain under consideration for award when ranked against other proposals received. This procedure is not a strict mathematical formula and may not be challenged or protested on that basis except in the case of obvious arithmetic errors.

D. PRICE EVALUATION

During the technical evaluation period, the Rate Response Form(s) from each proposal will be reviewed by the procurement officer.

Price offers from each proposal will be tabulated based on the total price. Offers will be ranked from lowest price to highest. This information will be kept confidential from the evaluation committee until technical evaluations are complete and all evaluators have completed and submitted evaluations for all proposals. At that time, evaluators will receive copies of the price offers and rankings of the proposals that met the minimum administrative requirements and had been evaluated technically.

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E. BEST VALUE DETERMINATION

Following completion of the technical evaluations, and after receiving price offer analysis information, the evaluation committee will consider which proposal offers the best overall value to the University.

If technical rank order and price order differ, the evaluation committee will discuss the merits of each proposal relative to its price and other proposal’s technical rank and price. If a proposal receiving the highest technical score also is ranked as having the lowest price offer, that proposal would represent the best value and UAF may award a contract to the firm that submitted that proposal.

In comparing proposals, if one proposal received both a higher technical score and a lower price, then that proposal would represent a better value. If a proposal received a higher technical score, but a higher price than another proposal, then the evaluation committee may determine if the difference in the technical score between the two compared proposals is worth a higher price. If the evaluation committee determines that a proposal with a higher technical score is worth a higher price, then the University may consider that proposal the best value. If, however, a determination is made that a higher technical score is not worth the higher price, the University may consider the proposal with a lower technical score and a lower price to be a better value.

The committee will continue to make similar paired comparisons until a consensus is reached on the proposal that represents the Best Value.

F. BEST AND FINAL OFFER

UAF reserves the right to request clarifications and request a best and final offer (BAFO) from each offeror within the competitive range. However, UAF reserves the right to make award of a contract based exclusively on the submitted proposals without seeking a BAFO.

- END OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS -