Task One (1): Solicitation Strategy and Advisory Services The purpose of this task is to provide DOER with overall strategic perspective and ongoing advisory support for implementing the requirements of §10313. Completion of this task will entail ongoing engagement with DOER to provide information and expert perspective regarding issues including but not limited to Timing of solicitations; Coordination of solicitations; Solicitation priorities, including eligible technologies, attributes, contracting structures, and procurement volumes; and Mechanisms to effectuate statutory or policy objectives. Bidder(s) will also assist DOER in the development and implementation of a solicitation schedule consistent with the 2025 comprehensive Energy Plan and statutory requirements. Bidder(s) will provide continuous advisory support pertaining to procurement valuations, insight and takeaways, and administrative matters for the duration of contract period. Task Two (2): Competitive Solicitation Design and Development The purpose of this task is to provide DOER with competitive solicitation procurement design and development support services. For each solicitation specified in the solicitation schedule described in Task 1, Bidder(s), in consultation with DOER, will: Assist in ensuring the solicitation design meets the following objectives: Provides the benefits of renewable and clean resources to ratepayers in the State. Provides the benefits of renewable and clean resources toward meeting the greenhouse gas reduction obligations and climate policies. Contributes to the State's economic and workforce goals, including through the actions detailed in section 3210-I, subsection 3, paragraph D, subparagraph (2).3 Minimizes the impact of energy generation on the environment of the State. Ensures the protection of low-income ratepayers. Avoids or minimizes the curtailment of other renewable or clean resources. Assist with the design and development of the solicitation structure: Draft a request for proposals that meets applicable requirements established in §10313 and by DOER. Prepare necessary supporting materials (e.g. templates) associated with the request for proposals, including but not limited to project eligibility and qualification criteria, bid format requirements, a standard form contract, and pricing structures. Prepare quantitative and qualitative evaluation protocols including criteria, methods, and tools consistent with the requirements established in the request for proposals and the objectives specified above. Task Three (3): Competitive Solicitation Bid Evaluation and Project Selection Support The purpose of this task is to provide DOER with bid evaluation and project selection support services. For each solicitation specified in the solicitation schedule described in Task 1, Bidder(s), in consultation with DOER, will: Assist DOER in its review of proposals, including eligibility criteria, qualitative and quantitative scoring, and any other evaluation specified in the request for proposals. Evaluation may encompass factors including but not limited to: Qualification, creditworthiness, and viability of bidders. Project feasibility, which may include but not be limited to schedule and construction plans, including plans for financing and stakeholder engagement, permit approvals, and interconnection. Project benefits and impacts, which may include but not be limited to environmental impacts, socioeconomic impacts, and impacts to low-income populations. Provide independent quantitative analysis of project proposals to assist DOER in determining ratepayer costs and ratepayer benefits as required by §10313, which may encompass factors including but not limited to: Estimate direct and indirect costs and benefits of the project(s). Quantitative analysis of regional energy, capacity, and ancillary services markets through production cost modeling or other methodologies. Evaluation of direct and indirect economic benefits to ratepayers, including but not limited to mark-to-market energy and Renewable Energy Certificate (REC), or other environmental attribute, price comparisons and environmental benefits including compliance with state policies; Transmission analysis, including a review of existing transmission studies, to identify and estimate energy deliverability. Provide recommendations to DOER on the reasonableness of qualitative and quantitative evaluations, including determining the success of economic modeling results and identifying issues for DOER consideration. Assist DOER in project selection based on evaluation criteria. Assist or advise DOER as needed in any applicable preparation for and participation in contract negotiations with investor-owned transmission and distribution utilities and select project developers. Task Four (4): Regulatory and Stakeholder Support The purpose of this task is to provide DOER with regulatory and stakeholder engagement support services. For each solicitation specified in the solicitation schedule described in Task 1, Bidders in consultation with DOER, will: Participate on DOER’s behalf in proceedings before the Maine Public Utilities Commission to obtain approval of the request for proposals as required by §10313 (2)(C) and any project awards as required by §10313 (7). Support DOER in engagement with key stakeholders through the solicitation process including but not limited to the Office of the Public Advocate and investor-owned transmission and distribution utilities.
