Request for Proposals
For the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division
Carbon Neutral Airport Program
Overview
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Aeronautics Division’s mission is to
promote aviation throughout the Commonwealth while establishing an efficient integrated airport
system that will enhance airport safety, customer service, economic development, and
environmental stewardship. In 2010, MassDOT Aeronautics Division published the Massachusetts
Statewide Airport System Plan, which was created as a short, medium, and long-term planning tool
to help the Aeronautics Division align its airport development activities to the overall mission to
ensure that aviation continues its vital role in the statewide transportation system. Within the plan,
six statewide system goals were developed accompanied by over 50 performance measures
designed to help the Aeronautics Division monitor performance toward meeting those strategic
goals over time.
In association with the principal MassDOT environmental sustainability program, GreenDOT,
designed to “green” the state transportation system, 1 the Environmental Compliance and
Stewardship goal of the Massachusetts Statewide Airport System Plan requires each airport to embed
sustainability practices into airport operations, planning and development projects to protect: 1)
the natural environment; 2) the quality of life for airport employees and neighbors; and 3) the
economic development potential of the airport. To fulfill the plan vision, the Aeronautics Division
has embarked upon this exciting new sustainability program with the Volpe National
Transportation Systems Center (Volpe), to be known as the Carbon Neutral Airport Program.
The program will be completed in two phases. Phase I will include identification of:
• Energy efficiency and conservation measures to reduce energy demand;
• Renewable energy sources that can be used to meet the remaining energy demand; and
• Reductions made through non-energy related Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission sources,
such as transportation and refrigerant use.
Phase II will include:
• Implementation steps to achieve carbon neutrality at the selected airport.
Our vision for the program is to develop a carbon neutral airport concept and implement measures
dramatically reducing fossil fuel consumption and GHG emissions at one (1) selected airport in the
1
On June 2, 2010, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) launched GreenDOT, a comprehensive
environmental responsibility and sustainability initiative that will make MassDOT a national leader in “greening” the state
transportation system. GreenDOT is driven by three primary goals: 1. Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; 2. Promote the
healthy transportation options of walking, bicycling, and public transit; and 3. Support smart growth development. GreenDOT was
designed in response to several existing state laws, Executive Orders, and MassDOT policies. These include the 2009 Transportation
Reform Act that established MassDOT as well as the Healthy Transportation Compact that promotes improved public health through
active transportation (such as walking or bicycling); and the Global Warming Solutions Act, which calls for measurable and
enforceable economy-wide greenhouse gas reductions to address climate change.
Leading the Nation in Transportation Excellence
Logan Office Center, One Harborside Drive, Suite 205N
East Boston, MA 02128
Tel: 617-412-3680, TDD: 617-973-7306
www.mass.gov/massdot
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The goal is to identify lessons and practices learned at the
selected airport that are relevant to airports ranging from the smallest General Aviation (GA)
airport to large and complex commercial service airports. Deliverables will be prepared to
maximize their utility for future applicability at other Commonwealth airports.
The term “carbon” is used in this Request for Proposal (RFP) as a general term for the broad range
greenhouse gases that have a potential effect on the planet’s atmosphere and climate. Working with
stakeholders, MassDOT and Volpe will assess airport facilities, track greenhouse gas emissions, and
create an implementation strategy at one targeted airport within the Commonwealth to become the
first ever, carbon neutral airport in the United States.
Carbon neutrality aligns with the Airport Carbon Accreditation definition and emission reduction
methodology, as follows:
• First, greenhouse gases within the direct control of the airport are inventoried.
• Second, carbon reduction goals are identified and implemented (e.g., energy efficiency
projects).
• Third, emissions associated with airport operations on the ground are identified and
reduction methods are shared with the appropriate stakeholders.
• Finally, attempts are made to generate renewable energy equal to or above the total
consumed energy so that the net annual greenhouse gas emissions are zero or net negative.
The airport reduces energy consumption and produces renewable energy only for the buildings,
infrastructure and vehicles that it controls and operates known as Scope 1 and 2 emissions. 2
International airports that have achieved “carbon neutral” status currently rely on off-site emission
reduction projects. MassDOT will initially seek neutrality entirely within the airport property.
MassDOT Aeronautics Division is spearheading this program in order to advance a “high-reach”
aspirational goal. The selected candidate airport will rigorously pursue energy efficiency in
buildings, on the airfield and with fleet vehicles. Efficiency will likely involve major upgrades to
retrofit mechanical equipment, lighting systems and envelopes. Alternative financing and utility
subsidies can help to cover a sizeable portion of the renovations. Commissioning, building
automation systems and operational changes will secure additional energy savings. On-site
renewable energy generation will be necessary to equal or exceed energy consumption that cannot
be eliminated. Success will require hard work, creativity and a willingness to implement
operational changes at the airport.
The Carbon Neutral Airport Program will enable MassDOT Aeronautics Division to identify
successful and cost-effective strategies that reduce airport greenhouse gases and energy
operational costs. A successful airport candidate may have implemented comprehensive cutting
edge energy performance actions and is already a recognized leader among peers. On the other
hand, airports with a large stock of aging and less efficient infrastructure may be equally strong
candidates as the lessons learned from the program could more readily apply to a larger number of
“typical” medium-sized and small airports across the Commonwealth and beyond. The winning
candidate will provide a compelling explanation of how lessons learned will transfer beyond the
candidate airport plus offer a clear management commitment to attain exemplary operational
energy performance.
2
Airport Carbon Accreditation http://www.airportcarbonaccreditation.org/process/ghg-protocol.html
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Request for Proposals for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division Carbon Neutral Airport Program
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To successfully implement the above referenced sustainability program and to maximize
implementation funding, the Aeronautics Division is soliciting proposals only from those airports
eligible to receive Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) sustainability/Voluntary Airport Low
Emission Program (VALE) funding. Of the 36 public-use airports (this excludes the Massachusetts
Port Authority owned and operated airports of Logan, Hanscom and Worcester), only five airports
within the Commonwealth fall under this category; they are Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, Hyannis,
Provincetown, and New Bedford airports (eligible airports).
One of the five eligible airports will be selected through a comparative analysis and selection
screening process. In fulfilling our continued commitment to openness and transparency in
government, the airport selection criteria development, the evaluation plan execution, and overall
candidate airport selection will be accomplished by a Planning Advisory Group (PAG) that has been
established for this purpose and includes a diverse panel as outlined in Table 1.
Table 1
Planning Advisory Group (PAG) panel members
MassDOT Aeronautics Division
MassDOT Office of Transportation Planning (Sustainable Transportation)
MassDOT Energy Committee
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) New England Region
Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport)
General Aviation Airports
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs – Massachusetts
Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Staff
Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER)
Airport Consultants
United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)
Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (US DOT)
Proposal Elements
This RFP is released on January 11, 2013. MassDOT will conduct an on-line webinar session to
review general requirements and answer specific questions that the candidate airports may have
on January 23, 2013 at 1:00 (webinar details will be sent via email to all candidate airports).
Airport candidate proposal submissions are due by February 8, 2013. This allows candidate
airports to complete and submit the proposal within a four week timeframe.
Candidate airports are invited to submit proposals highlighting their specific interest in this
program by following the three-part proposal submission detailed below. Once the airport is
selected, the nominated airport will meet with the MassDOT Aeronautics Division, Volpe, and PAG
to discuss the proposed program in more detail.
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The proposal submission will be comprised of three parts for the Carbon Neutral Airport Program.
They are:
A. Cover Letter – The cover letter should provide an overview of the airport and its
contribution to the local/regional economy;
B. Proposal Judging Criteria – Narrative sections for candidate airports to demonstrate
program understanding and airport commitment; and
C. Data Collection – Maps, utility bills and building data relevant to implementing the Carbon
Neutral Airport Program.
A. Cover Letter
No more than one (1) page of text and one (1) graphic.
The purpose of this section is to provide the PAG with a brief overview (a snapshot if you will) of
the airport, to describe its size in acres, its aeronautical role in the national aviation system and to
identify its role in the community’s infrastructure. Include operational information such as the
number of annual operations and enplaned passengers (use 2011 as the base year for this data).
Briefly include information about the economic benefits of the airport, such as employment, direct
salaries and air service, which can be summarized by using information obtained from the recently
completed Massachusetts Statewide Airport Economic Impact Study.
B. Proposal Judging Criteria
The following subjective judging criteria will be used to evaluate the proposals submitted by the
candidate airports. Responses to the judging criteria will provide comparative information to
demonstrate program understanding and assess an airport’s level of commitment to pursue carbon
neutrality. Candidate proposals will be evaluated and compared based on the strength of the
following criteria in no particular order:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Strong Program Understanding
Compelling Airport Vision and Commitment to the Carbon Neutral Airport Program
Demonstrated Stewardship Leadership
Knowledge Transfer Expertise and Experience
Dedication to High Efficiency and High Potential for Energy Generation
Effective Proposal Document
The selected airport will convey a clear understanding of associated requirements and provide
assurance that resources will be available to successfully support the program. A detailed
explanation of each criterion is provided below.
1. Strong Program Understanding – No more than two (2) pages.
The purpose of this section is to provide the PAG with the airport’s understanding of the Carbon
Neutral Airport Program. Providing a clear and accurate description of the program is important to
ensure the program's success.
Describe the airport’s understanding of the Carbon Neutral Airport Program and potential
implementation issues, concerns, opportunities, and potential risks that should be addressed.
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Please detail potential challenges associated with significant operational greenhouse gas
reductions. Provide examples of the airport’s creativity and innovation on past “green” projects
that helped create a more sustainable airport.
2. Compelling Airport Vision and Commitment to the Carbon Neutral Airport Program – No
more than one (1) page (this does not include staff resumes).
Successful “carbon neutral” implementation depends on effective airport leadership and
commitment to the program. The purpose of this section is to provide the PAG with an overview of
the airport’s commitment by its leaders (town/city officials and airport commission) and
community to meet sustainability initiatives.
Please describe the actions that airport management will take to support the program. Include
anticipated implementation barriers and how management plans on addressing them. Please
provide an explanation on how airport leadership supports this program. Describe staffing
available to support the program throughout the duration of the two-year implementation
program. Please provide resumes for all identified staff members. Identify the dollar value of funds
available to implement energy efficiency capital improvements.
3. Demonstrated Stewardship Leadership – No more than one and a half (1.5) pages.
In this section airports have an opportunity to provide information to the PAG regarding airport
experience and current environmental stewardship practices.
Please describe how your airport advances stewardship and at minimum cover the following
questions:
a. How does your facility manage its material waste and what is your recycling rate
(percentage of material diverted from landfill or incinerator)?
b. If you already recycle, are you willing to divert additional types of material beyond your
current practices?
c. Please describe your decision making process regarding potential “green buildings”
certification and any registered projects (if applicable). If this applies to your airport,
provide the certification system (i.e., USGBC LEED) and the certification level(s).
d. Does your airport have a current sustainability plan and have you conducted a
greenhouse gas inventory?
e. Does your municipality have a current sustainability plan and if so, does it include the
airport facility?
f. Depending on the return on investment, is the airport willing to fund a portion of
potential capital improvement costs related to energy efficiency?
g. Are there any other actions that your airport has implemented beyond building energy
efficiency and waste reduction (e.g., vanpool for employees)? If yes, do you have
measured results from the action(s)?
4. Knowledge Transfer Expertise and Experience – No more than half (1/2) a page.
MassDOT Aeronautics views the Carbon Neutral Airport Program as a key method to advance
sustainability best practices across Massachusetts airports and beyond. The purpose of this section
is to provide the PAG with examples of how the airport actively shared successful actions and/or
adopted externally validated approaches.
Please provide examples of practices that your airport has adopted from other airports or other
transportation modes in the past three years. If applicable, describe practices that have been
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implemented at your airport and that you have shared with other airports formally or informally.
Examples can be from any operational aspect, whether or not related to sustainability. The airport
should explain how this expertise and experience can be transferred to the Carbon Neutral Airport
Program.
5. Dedication to High Efficiency and High Potential for Energy Generation – No more than
one (1) page. Additional pages may be used for figures/graphics.
The purpose of this section is to provide the PAG with a brief overview of achieved energy
efficiency efforts at the airport and future plans for energy efficiency.
Provide a brief overview of achieved energy efficiency efforts at the airport. Include type of project
(i.e. retrofit interior lighting, solar installations, etc.). Please include the following:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Overall number of projects;
Description of each project and year installed/initiated;
Measured or estimated energy savings; and
Energy audits summary results, if applicable (e.g., ASHRAE Level 2 audit of terminal
building in 2010).
Efficiency alone cannot eliminate greenhouse gas emissions. Renewable energy sources that
produce emission-free energy are essential to cover the remaining energy that is consumed at the
airport. The Carbon Neutral Airport Program’s goal is for an airport to create “net-zero” emissions.
A net-zero airport is defined as one that generates as much onsite emission-free energy as the
annual emissions produced from airport controlled ground operations.
Provide information on any planned future on-site renewable energy generation projects (natural
resource development projects such as solar, wind, geo-thermal etc.). Please include the following:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Renewable energy type/technology
Figures or graphics depicting the proposed on-site location;
Size of area in acres (in the case of solar); and
Generation capacity (if known).
If future on-site renewable energy generation projects are unknown, please provide information on
the amount of buildable land or roof surface (ft2 and acres) for such facilities (i.e., non-aviation use
land available or non-aviation use land that could be available with proper FAA land releases for
such development).
The Carbon Neutral Airport Program has a goal to achieve neutrality entirely within the airport
property. In the event that on-site generation cannot be accomplished, please provide information
on regional renewable energy operational or planned projects (i.e. off-airport projects). For the
purpose of this project, regional is defined as within a 10-mile radius on land or within a 50-mile
radius over water/ocean. Please include the following:
a. The type of facility (i.e., biogas from landfill, utility scale wind energy site, solar, etc.); and
b. Location of regional site or sites (distance in miles) from the airport.
Provide information on the public/municipal utilities for electricity and gas. Describe any past
public/municipal utility subsidized or fully-funded projects at the airport.
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6. Effective Proposal Document
The PAG will assess each proposal’s document quality. Key parameters include adhering to
narrative page length requirements, clarity of provided content and logical narrative responses to
each subjective judging criterion. Comprehensive proposals that include responses to all RFP
questions will achieve a higher ranking.
C. Data Collection
Data obtained this section will be used in part for selection screening and will enable the PAG to
understand the airport, its resources, environmental constraints, existing energy consumption and
energy use measurements. These data will be used to provide more quantitative (objective) data,
whereas, the elements of the proposal judging criteria listed above will be used to provide more
qualitative (subjective) data. Additionally, since the program will be completed in phases, the facts
provided here will be useful to determine feasibility of Phase II, the implementation phase, at the
selected airport.
1. Airport Resources – MassDOT needs to understand the number, age and type of airport
facilities and equipment that will be included in the program. Please provide information in
tabular format for ease of readability. See attached tabular template that can be used in your
response to this section.
a. Information on airfield facilities (i.e., the number of runways and taxiways with overall
length and number of edge lights and illuminated signs).
b. Total building square footage by usage area (i.e., terminal, office, concessions, hangar,
etc.).
 Please identify if these buildings are airport owned and operated or tenant owned
and operated with a land lease, and whether or not the airport or the tenant is
paying for the energy use.
 Please identify the lease term. For leases expiring within the next 3 years, please
identify their square footage.
c. Number and age of the above referenced buildings.
d. Number and types of internal circulators (i.e., escalators, elevators, moving walkways,
baggage conveyors, etc.).
e. Total number of airport owned/operated aircraft ground support equipment (GSE).
 Please include the equipment model and type
 Please include the equipment age and replacement schedule.
 Please identify fuel type (diesel, electric, etc.).
f. Airport owned and operated “other” fleet equipment such as mowers, snow removal
equipment, operations/maintenance vehicles, fire suppression, etc.
 Please include the equipment model and type.
 Please include the equipment age and replacement schedule.
 Please identify fuel type (diesel, electric, etc.).
g. Number of total airport employees (i.e., administrative, operations, maintenance,
engineering, and safety/security).
 Please identify full or part-time employment.
 Please identify availability of one current staff member to support sustainability
project for the next two years (4 – 8 hours per week). Please list other airport
responsibilities for this staff member.
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2. Environmental Resources – MassDOT needs to understand how much land is available to
generate renewable energy. Describe (in summary format) the environmental resources that
the airport must consider (i.e., environmental areas of potential impact). Information on
environmental resources such as wetlands, critical habitat (priority or estimated), cultural
resources (historic and/or Native American sites), etc. should be included. Please provide the
following information:
a. Include boundaries of resource areas (if easily accessible) in graphic format. Please scale
to fit graphic onto an 11x17 inch color page. A layered approach is preferred using
hatching to identify each resource area.
b. Information on environmental resources such as wetlands, critical habitat (priority or
estimated) and cultural resources (historic and/or Native American sites).
c. Identify the size of environmentally sensitive lands on airport property in acres.
3. Energy Consumption – Total energy consumption will determine the fossil fuel usage that
must be reduced via efficiency or substituted with renewable generation. Describe (in
summary format) the airports energy consumption, and in general terms how the consumption
level is expected to evolve in coming years. Proposals must contain these data in order to be
considered for the program. Airports may decide to keep their energy consumption data
confidential beyond the selection process. Please indicate if you prefer that energy data is not
publically released.
Provide the following information in tabular format or actual bills as an attachment in an
appendix section of the proposal.
a. Airport energy utility bills for calendar year (CY) 2011 (electricity, gas, other). Separate
airfield lighting if at all possible;
b. Airport water utility bills for CY2011; and
c. Airport vehicle fuel bills for CY2011 (diesel and gasoline usage for maintenance, snow
removal, GSE, shuttle bus and other airport owned and operated vehicles).
4. Measurement – Provide information on current energy consumption measurements (if
applicable). Please include the following:
a. Percent of airport owned buildings individually metered. Provide metered areas (ft2) if
available.
b. Are runway electrical systems on separate meters?
c. To what extent are buildings individually metered?
d. Does the airport have any energy sub-metering and for which system?
e. Does the airport meter water? If so, are indoor and outdoor water separately metered?
f. Most recent energy audit and level of audit and results, if available.
g. Greenhouse gas audit and results, if available.
Administrative Format of the Response
The format of this response will consider the following requirements. The font size shall be no
smaller than 11 point, and margins must allow for the document to be readable. Total length for
Section B, Proposal Judging Criteria shall not exceed 6 pages of paper. The following elements are
allowed as additional sheets of paper that are not included in the count of total pages of paper:
Cover letter, proposal title page, divider pages, graphics/figures, data collection pages, appendices,
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and back cover page. The proposal must be delivered electronically only and 5 megabytes or less
for ease of email distribution to the PAG. No paper copies will be accepted.
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated through a comparative analysis and selection screening. The review
and analysis of any Airport RFP, the airport selection criteria, the evaluation plan, and the overall
candidate airport selection will be accomplished by the PAG.
Other Information
The Carbon Neutral Airport Program Manager and Airport Planner/Environmental Analyst at the
MassDOT Aeronautics Division, Katie R. Servis, will address the airport’s questions by e-mail at
katie.servis@state.ma.us. The Aeronautics Division will forward responses to questions to all
eligible airports that submit proposals. MassDOT will also conduct an on-line webinar session to
review general requirements of the proposal and answer specific questions that the candidate
airports may have on January 23, 2013 at 1:00 (webinar details will be sent via email to all
candidate airports).
The Aeronautics Division reserves the right to waive any informality or to reject any and all
submissions for any reason. To consistently advance “Green” practices, only e-mailed submissions
(in PDF format) will be accepted.
Phase I of the Carbon Neutral Airport Program is funded entirely by the MassDOT Aeronautics
Division. Funding sources for Phase II will be discussed during and as part of the Phase I process.
Should funding be inadequate for Phase II, the Aeronautics Division may delay or cancel the
program.
Eligible airports must submit one electronic copy of their proposal package via email by 3:00
PM EST on February 8, 2013 to:
Ms. Katie R. Servis
Carbon Neutral Airport Program Manager and Airport Planner/Environmental Analyst
MassDOT Aeronautics Division
Katie.servis@state.ma.us
The subject heading on the emailed proposals shall clearly state the following: MassDOT
Aeronautics Division Carbon Neutral Airport Program - Request for Proposal (RFP)
Submission.
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Sample Template for Data Collection – Airport Resources
Description
Airfield facility information
(# of runways, # of taxiways, lengths, # of edge
lights and # of illuminated signs)
Number and types of internal circulators (i.e.,
escalators, elevators, moving walkways, baggage
conveyors, etc.)
Ground Support Equipment (GSE) Please list the
total number for each model type of equipment
and the age each vehicle.
Please list the fuel source and age for each of the
GSE
“Other” fleet equipment owned and operated by
airport (e.g., mowers, snow removal,
maintenance vehicles, fire suppression, etc.) type
and age.
Fuel source and age for each “Other” fleet
equipment
Transport Vehicles for passengers and employees
Response (Note: each response cell should be
limited to 100 words maximum)
Sample Template for Data Collection – Airport Resources (Individual Building Reporting Template)
Please use the included template to provide specifics on airport individual buildings. The data will provide
the PAG information to assess totality of the airport’s controlled assets. Submissions should provide a data
table for each airport structure larger than 500 ft2. Provide one table for each structure.
Building #_: (Name of building if applicable):
Square footage (ft2):
Age of Building:
Occupied or only for
equipment?
Airport function:
Percent of building
heated/conditioned:
Individually metered
for Electricity: yes/no
Individually metered for
Water: yes/no
Sub-metering: yes/no
and which system
component?
Airport owned: yes/no
Who pays utility bill:
Airport, tenant, other?
If leased when is lease
up for renewal?
Roof available for solar
energy generation: yes/no
If applicable, Building
“green” certification and
level:
Energy efficiency retrofit
(date) year:
Date (year) of last
energy audit:
Date (year) of last
energy retrofit:
Other energy source(s):
Building utility data
available included in
proposal: yes/no
Terminal, office, hangar,
maintenance, storage, other:
specify
natural gas, ground source
heat pump, propane,
steam, other: specify
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