The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is posting this sources sought announcement for acquisition planning purposes and no formal solicitation exists at this time. The attached document details specific information requesting information that may be used to determine the appropriate acquisition strategy or contractual/financial agreement(s).  If only one qualified source is received, this notice may be used to determine a sole source procurement or an alternate procurement strategy if warranted.

The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) in Part 2 defines "Federal agency" as "...any executive agency or any independent establishment in the legislative or judicial branch of the Government (except the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Architect of the Capitol, and any activities under the Architect's direction)." 

The AOC is inquiring information from the renewable industry to assist the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) Senate Superintendent's Office in determining the optimum project funding mechanism, as well as structuring and issuing a future solicitation for an on-site solar array.  The AOC seeks information to install a solar energy generation system on the roof of The Hart Senate Office Building.  In addition to the cost savings related to on-site electricity generation with photovoltaic (PV), the AOC is considering a solar project (approximately 100 - 150 kW) which will increase the amount of electricity it obtains from renewables, employing local trades, and educating visitors.    

For these reasons, the AOC is looking for ideas on approaches, opportunities and strategies in implementing a cost effective on-site solar energy system directly on the roof of the Hart Senate Office Building.  The AOC is not currently considering off-site solar generation or other non-solar energy conservation measures under this Request for Information (RFI).

The AOC is primarily interested in implementing this project under a third-party financing arrangement such as Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC), or other contracting and funding mechanisms to involve a partner with a tax liability and realize the tax benefits.  The AOC seeks to determine feasible and advantageous options that would be in compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation.  Responses to this request will assist the AOC with determining the optimal method for financing an on-site solar energy system that is most beneficial in the long-term via a 9 - 20 year contract.

Please provide responses to Mike Shirven at mshirven@aoc.gov and William Brewster at wbrewste@aoc.gov.  Please include (1) company name and address; (2) point of contact to include e-mail address and telephone number; and (3) business size and type (8(a), HubZone, Small Business, etc).  Any questions regarding the RFI should be included in the RFI response.  These questions will be addressed after the RFI response date through a FedBizOps posting.  Responses need to be separated from supplemental information provided.

Responses will not be considered confidential.  The AOC may use responses to structure future solicitations; therefore, do not provide confidential or proprietary information in your response.

The requested information is for preliminary planning purposes only and does not constitute an obligation by the Government to enter into a contractual agreement.  Nor does it constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that the AOC will issue a solicitation in the future.  The AOC will not be responsible for any costs incurred by offerors in furnishing this information.