Utility Forum Secretariat and Field Demonstration Services

 ADVANCE CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE (ACAN)

1. Title

Utility Forum Secretariat and Field Demonstration Services

2. Definition

An Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) allows departments and agencies to post a notice, for no less than fifteen (15) calendar days, indicating to the supplier community that it intends to award a good, service or construction contract to a pre-identified contractor. If no other supplier submits, on or before the closing date, a Statement of Capabilities that meets the requirements set out in the ACAN, the competitive requirements of the government's contracting policy have been met. Following notification to suppliers not successful in demonstrating that their Statement of Capabilities meets the requirements set out in the ACAN, the contract may then be awarded using the Treasury Board's electronic bidding authorities.

If other potential suppliers submit Statement of Capabilities during the fifteen calendar day posting period, and meet the requirements set out in the ACAN, the department or agency must proceed to a full tendering process on either the government's electronic tendering service or through traditional means, in order to award the contract.

3. Background

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has constituted a Utility Forum, which brings all ten Canadian provincial transmission system operators together to discuss issues of shared importance specific to the planning and operation of power systems with high penetrations of variable generators (solar, wind). NRCan is seeking secretariat services for the Utility Forum, covering a range of activities such as supporting meeting planning, participating in and contributing to research proposals, providing contract support for third parties, and supporting field demonstrations. These tasks will be undertaken and authorized in consultation with NRCan and Utility Forum members, and informed with input from other industry stakeholders.

Additionally, NRCan is also seeking assisting with or support other tasks as defined in the most recent version of the Utility Forum’s Terms of Reference document. These tasks will be defined and detailed at a later stage.

4. Objectives

1.Engage with a vendor for provision of secretariat services for the Utility Forum that has been established by NRCan, and whose mandate is governed by the approved Terms of Reference;

2.Make available a facility in which field demonstrations can be undertaken, evaluated, and reported upon;

3.Work with Utility Forum members1 and NRCan to scope additional tasks2 on an as needed basis;

4.Identify other Canadian wind farms that can be used to undertake Field Demonstrations***; and

5.Engage with other contractors as authorized by the Utility Forum.

1 Participating members include1:

-BC Hydro;

-Alberta Electric System Operator;

-SaskPower;

-Manitoba Hydro;

-Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator;

-Hydro Quebec;

-Newfoundland & Labrador Hydro;

-Nova Scotia Power Inc.;

-New Brunswick Power; and

-Maritime Electric.

2 Additional tasks are to include, but not limited, to:

-Supporting development of new field demonstrations;

-Supporting analysis of currently planned field demonstrations;

-Supporting dissemination of findings by working with both turbine vendor and utility in question;

-Supporting IEA Task 25 work;

-Undertaking a review of provincial grid codes with regards to current treatment of non-synchronous generation; and

-Recommending language for consideration in grid codes with regards to treatment of non-synchronous generation.

*** Field demonstrations consist of demonstrating wind/solar/battery capabilities with regards to essential reliability services – this can include, for example, but is not limited to: provision of Fast Frequency Response, AGC capabilities, Primary Frequency Response, voltage control or a combination of any of these. It is expected that at least two Field Demonstrations will be undertaken over the three planned fiscal years of Utility Forum activity.

5. Project Requirements

5.1 Tasks & Deliverables

Tasks

Description

Deliverables

Date of Delivery

Task 1

Secretariat Services – Year 1

Provision of secretariat services in Year 1

March 31, 2020

Task 2 (optional)

Secretariat Services – Year 2

Provision of secretariat services in Year 2

March 31, 2021

Task 3 (optional)

Secretariat Services – Year 3

Provision of secretariat services in Year 3

March 31, 2022

Task 4

Additional tasks required on an as needed basis – Year 1

Task Authorization Activities Report on Task, Scope of Work, Methodology, Results & Discussion

March 31, 2020

Task 5 (optional)

Additional tasks required on an as needed basis – Year 2

Task Authorization Activities Report on Task, Scope of Work, Methodology, Results & Discussion

March 31, 2021

Task 6 (optional)

Additional tasks required on an as needed basis – Year 3

Task Authorization Activities Report on Task, Scope of Work, Methodology, Results & Discussion

March 31, 2022

Secretariat Services

Provide technical support to NRCan and the Utility Forum by:

•Provide support for face to face meetings

•Supporting logistics for face to face and conference call discussions

•Meeting notes

•Follow-up/action items

•Contributing to discussions

•Disseminating information

•Supporting development of research areas, initiating development of R&D activities

•Other tasks that arise, but are not yet defined.

6. Trade Agreements

Applicable Limited Tendering Provision under NAFTA (Article 1016.2)

1016.2(b) - where, for works of art, or for reasons connected with the protection of patents, copyrights or other exclusive rights, or proprietary information or where there is an absence of competition for technical reasons, the goods or services can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no reasonable alternative or substitute exists;

Applicable Limited Tendering Provision under Canada-Chile (Article Kbis-09)

Kbis-09 (b) - where, for works of art, or for reasons connected with the protection of patents, copyrights or other exclusive rights, or proprietary information or where there is an absence of competition for technical reasons, the goods or services can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no reasonable alternative or substitute exists;

Applicable Limited Tendering Provision under Canada-Colombia (Article 1409)

1409 (b) where the goods or services can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no reasonable alternative or substitute goods or services exist for any of the following reasons:

(iii) due to an absence of competition for technical reasons;

Applicable Limited Tendering Provision under Canada-Honduras (Article 17.11)

2 (b) a good or service being procured can be supplied only by a particular supplier and a reasonable alternative or substitute does not exist because:

 (iii) there is an absence of competition for technical reasons;

Applicable Limited Tendering Provision under Canada-Panama (Article 16.10)

16.10 (b) the procurement can be carried out only by a particular supplier and a reasonable alternative or substitute does not exist because:

 (iii) of the absence of competition for technical reasons;

Applicable Limited Tendering Provision under Canada - Peru Free Trade Agreement (Article 1409)

1409 (b) where the goods or services can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no reasonable alternative or substitute goods or services exist for any of the following reasons:

 (iii) due to an absence of competition for technical reasons;

Applicable Limited Tendering Provision under Canada–Ukraine Free trade agreement (Article 10.13)

10.13 1 (b) if the goods or services can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no reasonable alternative or substitute goods or services exist for any of the following reasons:

 (iii) due to an absence of competition for technical reasons;

Applicable Limited Tendering Provision under WTO-AGP (Article XIII)

1 (b) where the goods or services can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no reasonable alternative or substitute goods or services exist for any of the following reasons:

 (iii) due to an absence of competition for technical reasons;

Applicable Limited Tendering Provision under Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) (Article 513.1)

513.1(b) - if the goods or services can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no reasonable alternative or substitute goods or services exist for any of the following reasons:

 (iii) due to an absence of competition for technical reasons;

Applicable Limited Tendering Provision under Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) (Article 15.10)

2 (b) if the good or service can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no reasonable alternative or substitute good or service exists for any of the following reasons:

(iii) due to an absence of competition for technical reasons;

Applicable Limited Tendering Provision under Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (Article 19.12)

1 (b) if the goods or services can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no reasonable alternative or substitute goods or services exist for any of the following reasons:

(iii) due to an absence of competition for technical reasons;

7. Title to Intellectual property

Not applicable.

8. Contract Period

The work is to be performed during the period of August 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020 (or March 31, 2022 including all options) inclusive.

9. Estimated Cost

The estimated maximum value of the contract is between $420,000.00 and $430,000.00 including all applicable taxes.

10. Exception applied as per the Government Contracts Regulations and applicable trade agreements

Sole Source Justification ‑ Exception applied as per the Government Contract Regulations (GCR):

(d) Only one person or firm is capable of performing the contract

The contractor must:

1.Own and operate a wind farm, as well as have access to necessary data and control systems necessary to carry out field demonstration studies.

2.Have prior experience3 for field demonstration services;

3.Be able to provide secretariat services at various locations4;

3 Experience is defined as undertaking and reporting on field demonstrations – these are tests that include obtaining utility signals for frequency, AGC or voltage, and determining whether a wind/solar plant can respond to either frequency excursions, follow an AGC signal, or provide reactive power in response to local voltage needs. Examples of tests could include frequency response tests; AGC (secondary frequency) signal following capabilities; primary frequency control tests, a combination of these, provision of reactive power, etc.

The contractor must therefore be in a position to plan such demonstrations; develop the research methodology to execute the test (coordinating with both the utility and turbine supplier); analyze the results; produce public documentation describing the nature and findings of the field demonstration.

At least four such previous undertakings is a bare minimum requirement.

Contractor must have completed at least four field demonstrations over past 4 years. This includes:

•Development of test protocol context

•Development of test protocol methodology

•Entering into discussions with appropriate utility and/or OEM regarding execution of test protocol

•Undertaking test

•Collecting and reporting results

•Preparing research papers and supporting knowledge dissemination

4 Locations may vary. The first Utility Forum meeting was held in Toronto. It is expected that the second meeting will also be held in Toronto. However, other meetings may be elsewhere in the country, including in Vancouver, Calgary, Regina, Winnipeg, Halifax or Moncton – Utility Forum members will make that decision. Lastly, the secretariat is expected to be present in those meetings, as well as at Field Demonstration locations that have yet to be identified.

11. Name and Address of the Proposed Contractor

The Wind Energy Institute of Canada

21741 Route 12

North Cape, PEI

C0B 2B0

12. Inquiries on Submission of Statement of Capabilities

Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to provide the services/goods described herein, may submit a Statement of Capabilities in writing, preferably by e-mail, to the contact person identified in this Notice on or before the closing date and time of this Notice. The Statement of Capabilities must clearly demonstrate how the supplier meets the advertised requirements.

13. Closing Date

Closing Date: September 4, 2019

Closing Time: 02:00 PM EDT

14. Contract Authority

Len Pizzi

Senior Procurement Officer

Natural Resources Canada

183 Longwood Road South

Hamilton, ON

L8P 0A5

Telephone: (905) 645-0676

Fax: (905) 645-0831

E-mail : len.pizzi@canada.ca
 ADVANCE CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE (ACAN)

1. Title

Utility Forum Secretariat and Field Demonstration Services

2. Definition

An Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) allows departments and agencies to post a notice, for no less than fifteen (15) calendar days, indicating to the supplier community that it intends to award a good, service or construction contract to a pre-identified contractor. If no other supplier submits, on or before the closing date, a Statement of Capabilities that meets the requirements set out in the ACAN, the competitive requirements of the government's contracting policy have been met. Following notification to suppliers not successful in demonstrating that their Statement of Capabilities meets the requirements set out in the ACAN, the contract may then be awarded using the Treasury Board's electronic bidding authorities.

If other potential suppliers submit Statement of Capabilities during the fifteen calendar day posting period, and meet the requirements set out in the ACAN, the department or agency must proceed to a full tendering process on either the government's electronic tendering service or through traditional means, in order to award the contract.

3. Background

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has constituted a Utility Forum, which brings all ten Canadian provincial transmission system operators together to discuss issues of shared importance specific to the planning and operation of power systems with high penetrations of variable generators (solar, wind). NRCan is seeking secretariat services for the Utility Forum, covering a range of activities such as supporting meeting planning, participating in and contributing to research proposals, providing contract support for third parties, and supporting field demonstrations. These tasks will be undertaken and authorized in consultation with NRCan and Utility Forum members, and informed with input from other industry stakeholders.

Additionally, NRCan is also seeking assisting with or support other tasks as defined in the most recent version of the Utility Forum’s Terms of Reference document. These tasks will be defined and detailed at a later stage.

4. Objectives

1.Engage with a vendor for provision of secretariat services for the Utility Forum that has been established by NRCan, and whose mandate is governed by the approved Terms of Reference;

2.Make available a facility in which field demonstrations can be undertaken, evaluated, and reported upon;

3.Work with Utility Forum members1 and NRCan to scope additional tasks2 on an as needed basis;

4.Identify other Canadian wind farms that can be used to undertake Field Demonstrations***; and

5.Engage with other contractors as authorized by the Utility Forum.

1 Participating members include1:

-BC Hydro;

-Alberta Electric System Operator;

-SaskPower;

-Manitoba Hydro;

-Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator;

-Hydro Quebec;

-Newfoundland & Labrador Hydro;

-Nova Scotia Power Inc.;

-New Brunswick Power; and

-Maritime Electric.

2 Additional tasks are to include, but not limited, to:

-Supporting development of new field demonstrations;

-Supporting analysis of currently planned field demonstrations;

-Supporting dissemination of findings by working with both turbine vendor and utility in question;

-Supporting IEA Task 25 work;

-Undertaking a review of provincial grid codes with regards to current treatment of non-synchronous generation; and

-Recommending language for consideration in grid codes with regards to treatment of non-synchronous generation.

*** Field demonstrations consist of demonstrating wind/solar/battery capabilities with regards to essential reliability services – this can include, for example, but is not limited to: provision of Fast Frequency Response, AGC capabilities, Primary Frequency Response, voltage control or a combination of any of these. It is expected that at least two Field Demonstrations will be undertaken over the three planned fiscal years of Utility Forum activity.

5. Project Requirements

5.1 Tasks & Deliverables

Tasks

Description

Deliverables

Date of Delivery

Task 1

Secretariat Services – Year 1

Provision of secretariat services in Year 1

March 31, 2020

Task 2 (optional)

Secretariat Services – Year 2

Provision of secretariat services in Year 2

March 31, 2021

Task 3 (optional)

Secretariat Services – Year 3

Provision of secretariat services in Year 3

March 31, 2022

Task 4

Additional tasks required on an as needed basis – Year 1

Task Authorization Activities Report on Task, Scope of Work, Methodology, Results & Discussion

March 31, 2020

Task 5 (optional)

Additional tasks required on an as needed basis – Year 2

Task Authorization Activities Report on Task, Scope of Work, Methodology, Results & Discussion

March 31, 2021

Task 6 (optional)

Additional tasks required on an as needed basis – Year 3

Task Authorization Activities Report on Task, Scope of Work, Methodology, Results & Discussion

March 31, 2022

Secretariat Services

Provide technical support to NRCan and the Utility Forum by:

•Provide support for face to face meetings

•Supporting logistics for face to face and conference call discussions

•Meeting notes

•Follow-up/action items

•Contributing to discussions

•Disseminating information

•Supporting development of research areas, initiating development of R&D activities

•Other tasks that arise, but are not yet defined.

6. Trade Agreements

Applicable Limited Tendering Provision under NAFTA (Article 1016.2)

1016.2(b) - where, for works of art, or for reasons connected with the protection of patents, copyrights or other exclusive rights, or proprietary information or where there is an absence of competition for technical reasons, the goods or services can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no reasonable alternative or substitute exists;

Applicable Limited Tendering Provision under Canada-Chile (Article Kbis-09)

Kbis-09 (b) - where, for works of art, or for reasons connected with the protection of patents, copyrights or other exclusive rights, or proprietary information or where there is an absence of competition for technical reasons, the goods or services can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no reasonable alternative or substitute exists;

Applicable Limited Tendering Provision under Canada-Colombia (Article 1409)

1409 (b) where the goods or services can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no reasonable alternative or substitute goods or services exist for any of the following reasons:

(iii) due to an absence of competition for technical reasons;

Applicable Limited Tendering Provision under Canada-Honduras (Article 17.11)

2 (b) a good or service being procured can be supplied only by a particular supplier and a reasonable alternative or substitute does not exist because:

 (iii) there is an absence of competition for technical reasons;

Applicable Limited Tendering Provision under Canada-Panama (Article 16.10)

16.10 (b) the procurement can be carried out only by a particular supplier and a reasonable alternative or substitute does not exist because:

 (iii) of the absence of competition for technical reasons;

Applicable Limited Tendering Provision under Canada - Peru Free Trade Agreement (Article 1409)

1409 (b) where the goods or services can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no reasonable alternative or substitute goods or services exist for any of the following reasons:

 (iii) due to an absence of competition for technical reasons;

Applicable Limited Tendering Provision under Canada–Ukraine Free trade agreement (Article 10.13)

10.13 1 (b) if the goods or services can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no reasonable alternative or substitute goods or services exist for any of the following reasons:

 (iii) due to an absence of competition for technical reasons;

Applicable Limited Tendering Provision under WTO-AGP (Article XIII)

1 (b) where the goods or services can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no reasonable alternative or substitute goods or services exist for any of the following reasons:

 (iii) due to an absence of competition for technical reasons;

Applicable Limited Tendering Provision under Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) (Article 513.1)

513.1(b) - if the goods or services can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no reasonable alternative or substitute goods or services exist for any of the following reasons:

 (iii) due to an absence of competition for technical reasons;

Applicable Limited Tendering Provision under Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) (Article 15.10)

2 (b) if the good or service can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no reasonable alternative or substitute good or service exists for any of the following reasons:

(iii) due to an absence of competition for technical reasons;

Applicable Limited Tendering Provision under Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (Article 19.12)

1 (b) if the goods or services can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no reasonable alternative or substitute goods or services exist for any of the following reasons:

(iii) due to an absence of competition for technical reasons;

7. Title to Intellectual property

Not applicable.

8. Contract Period

The work is to be performed during the period of August 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020 (or March 31, 2022 including all options) inclusive.

9. Estimated Cost

The estimated maximum value of the contract is between $420,000.00 and $430,000.00 including all applicable taxes.

10. Exception applied as per the Government Contracts Regulations and applicable trade agreements

Sole Source Justification ‑ Exception applied as per the Government Contract Regulations (GCR):

(d) Only one person or firm is capable of performing the contract

The contractor must:

1.Own and operate a wind farm, as well as have access to necessary data and control systems necessary to carry out field demonstration studies.

2.Have prior experience3 for field demonstration services;

3.Be able to provide secretariat services at various locations4;

3 Experience is defined as undertaking and reporting on field demonstrations – these are tests that include obtaining utility signals for frequency, AGC or voltage, and determining whether a wind/solar plant can respond to either frequency excursions, follow an AGC signal, or provide reactive power in response to local voltage needs. Examples of tests could include frequency response tests; AGC (secondary frequency) signal following capabilities; primary frequency control tests, a combination of these, provision of reactive power, etc.

The contractor must therefore be in a position to plan such demonstrations; develop the research methodology to execute the test (coordinating with both the utility and turbine supplier); analyze the results; produce public documentation describing the nature and findings of the field demonstration.

At least four such previous undertakings is a bare minimum requirement.

Contractor must have completed at least four field demonstrations over past 4 years. This includes:

•Development of test protocol context

•Development of test protocol methodology

•Entering into discussions with appropriate utility and/or OEM regarding execution of test protocol

•Undertaking test

•Collecting and reporting results

•Preparing research papers and supporting knowledge dissemination

4 Locations may vary. The first Utility Forum meeting was held in Toronto. It is expected that the second meeting will also be held in Toronto. However, other meetings may be elsewhere in the country, including in Vancouver, Calgary, Regina, Winnipeg, Halifax or Moncton – Utility Forum members will make that decision. Lastly, the secretariat is expected to be present in those meetings, as well as at Field Demonstration locations that have yet to be identified.

11. Name and Address of the Proposed Contractor

The Wind Energy Institute of Canada

21741 Route 12

North Cape, PEI

C0B 2B0

12. Inquiries on Submission of Statement of Capabilities

Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to provide the services/goods described herein, may submit a Statement of Capabilities in writing, preferably by e-mail, to the contact person identified in this Notice on or before the closing date and time of this Notice. The Statement of Capabilities must clearly demonstrate how the supplier meets the advertised requirements.

13. Closing Date

Closing Date: September 4, 2019

Closing Time: 02:00 PM EDT

14. Contract Authority

Len Pizzi

Senior Procurement Officer

Natural Resources Canada

183 Longwood Road South

Hamilton, ON

L8P 0A5

Telephone: (905) 645-0676

Fax: (905) 645-0831

E-mail : len.pizzi@canada.ca