1. No category

2522 Marshall Street NE
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55413
(651) 465-8780
www.mwmo.org
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Photovoltaic Installers
Background
In 2012, the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) moved into a new facility located at
2522 Marshall Street NE. During the design and construction of the facility, the organization made a clear
intention to utilize solar in the facility, and in doing so designed the garage area of the building to support the
additional weight that would come with solar panels. The MWMO is ready to move forward with the
installation of solar panels during the summer of 2015. The MWMO had a site assessment done in order to
apply for the Made in Minnesota Grant and received the grant in April of 2015.
Project Goals
The MWMO has identified the following as goals for this solar project:
 serve as a physical representation to the MWMO’s overall goal of sustainability;
 be utilized as an educational tool for visitors of the MWMO; and
 be economically viable for the MWMO.
The installer will be part of the MWMO solar installation project management team, and will work closely
with the MWMO project manager. The installer will be responsible for:
 understanding and working with the Made in Minnesota Grant;
 serving as the primary contact during the project;
 researching city ordinances for installation;
 designing a system that is feasible, economically viable and cost-effective; and
 upon completion of the project, providing a warranty and maintenance plan for the system.
Services to be provided by the selected installer include:
 pre-site visit and inspection;
 pre-installation meetings to determine timelines and select a system to install;
 mechanical, structural and electrical installation;
 obtaining/coordinating any necessary permits, inspections, and construction approvals;
 connection to existing electrical panels in the building; and
 maintenance and operation plans and instructions.
Page 1 of 3
RFP Solar Installers 5 June 2015
Estimated Project Schedule
April 2015 to January 2016. A list and timeline for key activities is approximated as:
Activity
2015
2015
2015
2015
2015
2015
2015
2015
2015
2016
Apr.
May
Jun
Jul.
Aug.
Sep.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
RFP Submission Period
Respondent Review Period
Announcement of Winning Bid &
Contracting Drafting
Construction Period
Final Reporting and Invoicing
NOTE: The dates for the selection of the successful bid, the contract/construction start and completion
dates are estimates. Additional processes, requirements and installer availability may alter the schedule.
Budget:
An undisclosed budget has been predetermined for the project. Proposed budgets will be considered but will
not be the sole criteria for selecting an installer. Proposed budgets associated with all project activities must be
clearly identified. If additional tasks are required or recommended, a justification and associated cost should be
provided.
Submission Requirements
Proposals shall be submitted electronically and shall include all of the following:








title page with company background and profile;
information on typical approaches to installations;
proposed timeline for installation;
specifications for the minimum solar system to be installed:
 south-facing;
 approximately 24 feet by 43 feet of reinforced roof space; and
 PV Modules certified as Made in Minnesota.
alternatives and/or additions to the above-specified standard system for consideration;
a breakdown of solar production per year, cost to install and operations and maintenance costs per year;
proposed budget and payment schedule (The budget should be as detailed as possible and clearly
associated with key tasks and/or deliverables. Compensation detail will include how the proposed budget
was determined — e.g., rate of pay, no. of hours. Costs of alternatives should be clearly identified.); and
warranty and maintenance information.
Proposals shall be submitted in an electronic form. No paper submissions will be accepted or considered.
Final deadline for submissions is 4:30 PM on Tuesday June 30, 2015; all respondents will receive an email
confirmation of receipt.
Page 2 of 3
RFP Solar Installers 5 June 2015
Project Contact
All questions and proposals shall be directed to:
Max Dalton
2522 Marshall Street NE
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55418
612-746-4976
mdalton@mwmo.org
Respondents requesting a site visit must do so no later than 10 days prior to the closing date of the RFP. Any
responses received will be posted on our website for all respondents to see.
Rights Reserved by the MWMO:
The MWMO reserves the right to:







reject any and all proposals received in response to this request;
select for contract, or for negotiations, a proposal other than that with the lowest bid;
waive or modify any information, irregularities or inconsistencies in proposals received;
approve any subcontractor used by a respondent;
negotiate any aspect of the proposal with any respondent;
negotiate with any respondent and, if negotiations fail to result in an agreement, terminate negotiations
and select another respondent; and
not to reimburse respondents for materials and work related to creation and submission of proposals.
Page 3 of 3
RFP Solar Installers 5 June 2015