SOURCES SOUGHT
B -- Updating NWCC Document Entitled 'Studying Wind Energy/Bird Interactions: A Guidance Document'
- Notice Date
- 10/4/2007
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory - Midwest Research Institute (DOE Contractor), National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Boulevard, Golden, CO, 80401, UNITED STATES
- ZIP Code
- 00000
- Solicitation Number
- REE-8-77581
- Response Due
- 10/19/2007
- Archive Date
- 11/3/2007
- Point of Contact
- Kim Tangler, Subcontract Administrator II, Phone 303-384-7018, Fax 303-384-6901, - Kim Tangler, Subcontract Administrator II, Phone 303-384-7018, Fax 303-384-6901
- E-Mail Address
-
kim_tangler@nrel.gov, kim_tangler@nrel.gov
- Description
- The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), through its National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), will release a Request for Proposal (RFP) for updating Studying Wind Energy/Bird Interactions: A Guidance Document (see http://www.nationalwind.org/publications/wildlife/avian99/Avian_booklet.pdf), a 1999 document originally prepared for the Avian Subcommittee of the National Wind Coordinating Committee (go to http://www.nationalwind.org/ for information on the NWCC), now called the Wildlife Workgroup of the National Wind Coordinating Collaborative. The 1999 document?s purpose was four-fold: 1) Provide a thorough reference document for use by all stakeholders that would, if followed, result in a body of information adequate to reliably assist in turbine pre-siting assessment. 2) Provide clear methods, metrics and definitions for use in the study of wind energy/bird interactions. 3) Promote efficient, cost-effective study designs, methods and metrics that will produce comparable data, reducing the need for overlapping studies. 4) Provide study designs and methods for collection of information useful in reducing risk to birds in existing and future wind plants. Studying Wind Energy/Bird Interactions: A Guidance Document focuses on avian activity and the use of wind farm habitats by birds. It presents tools and scientific protocols for efficient and accurate characterization of use of proposed/operational wind farm development sites by birds. The document was intended to be exhaustive in nature, reviewing all the latest ?tools,? scientific technologies and accepted research protocols, and published literature pertinent to studying birds at land-based wind facilities nationwide. Objective: The objective of the solicitation is to update Studying Wind Energy/Bird Interactions: A Guidance Document with the best available information. The revised document must be presented from a neutral perspective with the focus on objectivity and credibility of the material. This Request for Proposal will seek a strategy to update the original 1999 Studying Wind Energy/Bird Interactions: A Guidance Document with current information. The subcontractor shall, to the extent feasible, evaluate the ability of the techniques proposed in the original document to successfully predict probability of impact or habitat disturbance to birds and other wildlife. The updated document shall contain information about the value, cost, and practical issues associated with known techniques and will add information about the new techniques that have proven effective predictors of impact. It will provide information about promising new technologies and associated limitations or qualifications of those technologies, including costs of the technologies. In addition, the RFP will seek suggestions for other topics to address, such as, for example, which of the methods minimize probability of impact. The RFP will seek a strategy to update the document, including a proposed approach for evaluating material for inclusion in a revised document. Suggestions for additions or alterations to the current document will be encouraged. The proposal should also present a proposed approach for assuring the material in the document is presented from a neutral perspective with the focus on objectivity and credibility of the material. Potential respondents should be aware that in 2006, the NWCC Wildlife Workgroup contracted for a companion document to be developed entitled Methods and Metrics for Assessing Impacts of Wind Energy Development on Nocturnally Active Birds and Bats. This document addresses: 1) potential impacts on resident and migratory populations; 2) fatality rates on resident and migratory populations; 3) the causes of bird and bat fatalities; and 4) methods for reducing risks to bird and bat populations and their habitats. The manuscript is complete and is scheduled for publication by the Journal of Wildlife Management by December 2007. Thus, the updated document being called for under this RFP will NOT need to address nocturnal species; it will be a companion to the nocturnal document. In addition, subcontractors will not be responsible for final layout, design or printing of the document. Those tasks will be taken care of by NREL. Offeror?s qualifications: Desired qualifications of respondents include: 1. Demonstrated experience in creating guidance documents on studying wildlife species; 2. Experience in research on birds (and/or birds and bats), and the analysis of that research; 3. Familiarity with the Methods and Metrics for Assessing Impacts of Wind Energy Development on Nocturnally Active Birds and Bats 4. Experience or understanding of commercial wind power development projects 5. Experience in studying wind development?s affect on birds and other wildlife or their habitat; 6. Strong writing ability and strong organizational skills; 7. Demonstrated ability to produce on time, and work within a budget; 8. Access to library facilities/databases; 9. Ability to work in a neutral and unbiased manner with parties representing a cross section of interests; 10. Credibility with the various sectors represented on the NWCC and the Wildlife Workgroup. Solicitation Plan: NREL is planning to release an RFP in Fall 2007. It is anticipated that the subcontract will be awarded in early 2008. Selection Criteria: Selection Criteria include: 1. high level of objectivity demonstrating a balanced viewpoint; 2. quality of the proposed approach including thoroughness, creativity, clarity, and project implementation and management plans; 3. strong credibility of team, comprised of multiple technical experts with credibility among a diverse group of key stakeholders, based on experience and capabilities; and, 4. cost. Consistent with the consensus-based approach used by the NWCC Wildlife Workgroup (WL WG) that resulted in the completion of the document Methods and Metrics for Assessing Impacts of Wind Energy Development on Nocturnally Active Birds and Bats, NREL will be will be looking for, among other things, a qualified individual or team that offers the best plan to meet the project objectives with input from all stakeholder groups represented on the WL WG. Review Process of Revised Document: The NWCC WL WG will play a role by providing input to NREL on the critical review, comments and recommendations for adoption of the final document. It should be noted that the NWCC WL WG operates on a consensus basis. This means that the report review process may be more thorough and time consuming than other subcontract activities. The subcontractor shall submit a first draft of the document to NREL for review and comment by the WL WG and other selected reviewers. At least one, and potentially as many as three, additional reviews will likely be required to finalize the document in preparation for publication. If possible, this document will be submitted to a selected Peer Review Journal. Expressions of Interest: The purpose of this Sources Sought notice is to develop a list of parties interested in participating in this Solicitation and responding to the RFP. Failure to respond to this notice will not disqualify anyone from participation in the solicitation, but those that do respond to this notice are assured of receiving notification when the RFP is released, if they indicate that desire. Expressions of interest should not include detailed proposals, but should include the following information: the names, addresses, telephone numbers, facsimile numbers and email addresses of the primary contact person; a brief description of the Offeror?s qualifications as they relate to the desired qualifications indicated in this notice; and, a statement indicating whether or not the respondent wishes to receive notification when the RFP is released. Responses to this notice should not exceed one page. Responses should be received at NREL by 5pm on 10/19/07. This is not a request for proposals. Please send responses (by mail, facsimile or email).
- Place of Performance
- Address: 1617 Cole Blvd., Golden, CO
- Zip Code: 80401-3393
- Country: UNITED STATES
- Zip Code: 80401-3393
- Record
- SN01428600-W 20071006/071004223331 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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