RFP - Pecos Station Solar Energy Development Opportunity

The Texas A&M University System ("A&M System") is soliciting proposals for selection of a solar photovoltaic power ("PV") infrastructure developer ( "Developer") to enter into a real property ground lease for the development and operation of a PV generating facility (the "Services") and to participate in and contribute to collaborative research in the field of agrivoltaics on the property of A&M System at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Station at Pecos located in Pecos, Texas (the "Property"). Were a Respondent to be selected as Developer, dependent on the method of construction financing that is proposed by Developer and that is approved by A&M System, A&M System will choose, at its sole discretion, to (i) enter into a long-term ground lease with Developer or with an affiliated entity for the performance of the Services on the Property, or (ii) enter into a long-term ground lease with a nonprofit entity, which will subsequently contract with Developer for performance of the Services on the Property. Proposals shall be in accordance with the terms, conditions, and requirements set forth in this Request for Proposal ("RFP"). A&M System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a budget of $7.2 billion. Through a statewide network of eleven universities, a comprehensive health science center, eight state agencies, and the RELLIS Campus, A&M System educates more than 152,000 students and makes more than 24 million additional educational contacts through service and outreach programs each year. System-wide, research and development expenditures exceed $1 billion and help drive the state's economy Texas A&M AgriLife Research Texas A&M AgriLife Research ("AgriLife Research") is the state's premier research agency in agriculture, natural resources, and life sciences. AgriLife Research scientists conduct hundreds of projects spanning many scientific disciplines to deliver life-sustaining and industry-changing impacts to Texans and people around the world. AgriLife Research is a state agriculture agency that conducts research across many fields. Texas A&M AgriLife Research Station at Pecos, TX The Property is located approximately nine (9) miles west-southwest from the center of the town of Pecos, Texas, down Interstate Highway 20 on approximately five hundred thirty-six (536) acres. Included at the Property are high-impact research facilities and dedicated lands to act as testbeds for experimentation and study of the use of arid lands for processes in biofuel engineering, produced water recycling, and demonstration of cutting-edge agriculture strategies for sustainable farming and ranching in arid climates. The long-term purpose and potential of this innovative research facility is distinct and unique from conventional agricultural lands. AgriLife Research now intends to offer the Property for development of PV generation facilities and to continue to conduct sponsored research and experimentation by studying and characterizing the use of lands, such as the Property, for PV generation. Telephone and facsimile (Fax) proposals are not acceptable and will not be considered under any circumstances. Submittal Format: Submission shall be saved as three (3) separate files in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) according to the items listed below and named as such; I) "company name - Forms, II) "company name - Proposal" and III) "company name - Financials". All questions concerning this RFP are to be directed, in writing, to Jeff Zimmermann at soprocurement@tamus.edu. Respondent may not contact other individuals at the A&M System to discuss any aspect of this RFP, unless expressly authorized by the A&M System Procurement & HUB Program office to do so. The A&M System will publish all questions in the form of an addendum with responses at least two (2) days prior to the Deadline for Receiving Proposals as stated in the schedule in Section 1.5. Responses to inquiries which directly affect an interpretation or change to this RFP will be issued in writing by addendum/amendment and posted to the Electronic State Business Daily (ESBD). All such addenda/amendments issued by the A&M System prior to the time that proposals are received shall be considered part of the RFP, and the Respondent shall consider and acknowledge receipt of such in their proposal. Only those A&M System replied to inquiries which are made by formal written addenda shall be binding. Oral and other interpretations or clarification will be without legal effect. The objective of this development is to achieve the highest and best use of the Property in a manner which is physically and functionally integrated with the current purpose of the Property and missions of both AgriLife Research and A&M System, including but not limited to the pursuit of collaborative research in the field of agrivoltaics. A&M System desires to develop the Property into a premier, high-tech research and experimentation facility focused on studying the integration of commercial PV development and agricultural strategies in arid climates. One aspect of A&M System's plan involves the installation of a PV generation facility by an experienced development company interested in designing, constructing, maintaining, and decommissioning a PV facility with the intent of commercial electrical distribution while also supporting, participating in, and contributing to collaborative research in the field of agrivoltaics. A second aspect of A&M System's plan is to work together with Developer through a sponsored Research Agreement (defined below) to analyze industry needs, define experimental studies relevant to promote agrivoltaics for supplementing those industry needs, subsequently design and implement corresponding test beds and research environments, and engage in data sharing and data analysis. AgriLife Research's agrivoltaics effort consists of a multi-phase, team approach to developing crops with specific traits that are adaptable to different environments and stress conditions across production regions within Texas and beyond as well as development of engineering sensors for automating production practices. AgriLife Research faculty along with support staff, will work together with Developer to incorporate different aspects of agronomic and engineering development. The development of such a PV generation facility located at the Property would advance these aspects of A&M System's plan and expedite the recognition of the benefits of the coexistence of agricultural operations and solar energy generation operations. Also, universities and agencies within A&M System may use the Property as a training and/or education resource. Respondents may propose operation over the entire Property or a portion thereof. However, A&M System may show preference to proposals utilizing all or larger portions of the Property. A&M System will consider all proposals and has the option to award to one or more Respondents based on the best interest as determined by A&M System. The method of contractor selection has not been determined at this time.

Division 01 -

General Requirements, Commissioning.