EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST/REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
SUSSEX COUNTY MUNICIPALITY UTILITIES AUTHORITY
GROUND MOUNTED SOLAR ENERGY PROJECT
DUE DATE: 11:00AM, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2014
INTRODUCTION
The Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority (SCMUA or the Authority) solicits nonbinding Expressions of Interest from qualified solar energy development firms for the
development of a ground mounted solar energy project on the closed portion of the Authority’s
landfill. Expressions of interest/request for qualifications (EOI/RFQ) shall be submitted to the
Authority on or before the date noted above and shall demonstrate the developer’s capability to
successfully execute a project on Authority property.
SCMUA owns and operates a solid waste disposal and recyclable materials management facility
in Lafayette, New Jersey. The overall facility includes the following:
1.
Landfill
2.
Administrative Office
3.
Equipment Maintenance Building
4.
Weigh Scales and Scale House
5.
Leachate Collection and Control System Pump Stations
6.
Leachate Storage Tanks and Truck Loading Facility
7.
Landfill Gas Collection and Control System
8.
Landfill Gas Fueled Electrical Generation Facility w/JCP&L interconnect (owned and
operated by others)
9.
Water Well and Pump House
10. Residents Convenience/ Recycling Facilities
11. Miscellaneous structures and facility lighting
The locations of these facilities are shown on the available facility site plan. The property also
contains other ancillary infrastructure such as roadways, pump stations and stormwater features
necessary for facility access and the on-going operation of the landfill. Currently, the Authority
is proceeding with the design of a Landfill Life Extension Project (which is adopted in the
County Solid Waste Management Plan) which projects landfill life through 2062. As a result of
the existing and future operations at this site, the Authority has an on-going need for electric
power and seeks to supplement electric power currently provided by JCP&L with a ground
mounted solar electric installation.
PROPOSED PROJECT AREA
Although the Authority currently owns several hundred acres with multiple structures, the focus
of this request for expressions of interest is on a ground mounted solar electric system located on
the closed portion of the existing landfill. Approximately 22 acres of the existing landfill is
closed and available for use in a solar electric generating project.
Alternate recommendations may be considered if the alternate proposals represent a functional
and financial advantage to the Authority. One component of the EOI/RFQ is to solicit input with
respect to the proposed location of the solar electric project. Further, additional land that is not
shown on the referenced plan but contiguous to the parcel shown is available in the event a larger
project is considered to be advantageous.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR A SUCCESSFUL PROJECT
The Authority considers that the eventual successful project will result from working with an
energy development firm that is both experienced in solar electric energy development projects
as well as experienced working on alternative/renewable energy development projects in New
Jersey. Experience specifically with development of solar electric energy projects on closed
landfill sites is considered beneficial. EOI/RFQ responses should be accompanied by specific
representations describing the firm’s overall qualifications, management infrastructure, financial
capability and experience with solar electric projects and, specifically, alternative/renewable
energy development projects in New Jersey.
The Authority also considers that a successful project will not require capital expenditure on the
part of the Authority. As such it is anticipated that the selected firm will own and operate the
project on land leased from the Authority. Additionally, if technically and financially feasible,
the Authority prefers that the project will be structured such that the Authority will purchase
power from this project to meet the on-site load, at rates which are discounted to the cost of
power delivered via the JCP&L grid. List of on-site electric accounts and related electric usage
history available from SCMUA. Grants, renewable energy credits and/or other incentives are
expected to factor into the discounted pricing structure which will be a component of the formal
RFP process. No detailed technical and/or financial information is required with this submittal.
FORMAL RFP PROCESS
Upon receipt of EOI/RFQ responses, a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) will be issued by the
Authority and sent to respondents who have expressed interest in response to this request and
who have been determined by the Authority and its consultants, based upon submitted
qualifications, to be qualified to provide a successful project. The RFP will provide specific
detail regarding the Authority’s electrical energy needs.
FORMAT OF EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
Format of Expressions of Interest/Request for Qualifications (EOI/RFQ) shall include:
1. A cover letter highlighting strengths, experience and qualifications of the firm regarding the
development of ground mounted solar electric projects.
2. Conceptual description of the project that the firm would consider for the Authority
including:
a. land area requirement within the existing closed portion of the landfill.
b. Potential electrical energy generation capacity.
c.
Additional needs for land area outside of the defined final cover area.
d. Method/ability to satisfy electrical energy needs of the Authority.
e. Assessment of potential size and power output capability of the solar electric project,
relative to potential interconnection issues (cost, complexity, timing) that may arise with
JCP&L.
f. Assessment of potential size and power output capability of the solar electric project,
relative to the on-site load of the Authority, as it relates to qualification for net metering benefits.
g. Identification of potential incentives that may apply to the project (tax, SRECs, utility
SREC securitization programs, and considerations for qualification for such incentives.
h.
Considerations for excess solar energy generation (if any).
i.
General description of recommended business deal (ex. discounted on-site power sales;
grid-supply project with revenue sharing; grid-supply project with lease payment or other host
benefit; etc., or combination thereof).
3. Descriptions of representative energy development projects completed by the
firm. Preference will be given to firms that have successfully completed solar electric projects
on closed landfills and projects in New Jersey.
4. Contact information for client references with knowledge of the representative energy
development projects completed by the firm.
5.
Questions that the firm needs to have addressed in the RFP.
SUBMITTAL DUE DATE
One (1) original and six (6) copies of the firm’s Expression of Interest shall be submitted on or
before 11:00AM, Friday, September 5, 2014 to Thomas Varro, P.E., SCMUA Chief Engineer.
SCMUA CONTACT INFORMATION
Thomas Varro, P.E.
SCMUA Chief Engineer
Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority
34 Route 94 South
Lafayette, New Jersey 07848
Tel: 973-579-6998
CORNERSTONE CONTACT INFORMATION
Andrew Kaplan
Cornerstone Engineering Group, LLC
100 Crystal Run Road, Suite 101
Middletown, New York 10941
Tel: 845-695-0223
ADDITIONAL PROJECT INFORMATION
SITE PLAN
KILOWATT USAGE
SITE VISITS
Site visits can be scheduled by contacting Authority Engineer, Thomas Varro
at: tvarro@scmua.org
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Bidders are required to comply with the requirements of
N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 17:27
If awarded a contract, your company/firm shall be required to comply with the requirements of
N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 17:27
For Bid/RFP Information, please contact the Sussex County MUA:
973-579-6998