Title
Municipal Solar Energy Generating Systems
Action
Action:
Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and approve a contract with Renu Energy Solutions, LLC in an amount not to exceed $1,700,000.00 for the Municipal Solar Energy Generating Systems project.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Phil Reiger, General Services
Jennifer Smith, General Services
Kathleen Cishek, General Services
Explanation
§ This contract will include the engineering and installation of solar panels, including both roof-mounted and parking canopy-mounted arrays at the following city facilities:
- CMPD Central, 700 West 5th Street (Council District 2),
- Police & Fire Training Academy, 1770 Shopton Road (Council District 3),
- Spratt Street, 531 Spratt Street (Council District 1),
- Solid Waste Services, 1105 Otts Street (Council District 1), and
- Government Center, 600 East 4th Street (Council District 1).
§ CMPD Central Division Station will also include installation of an innovative energy storage solution which will maximize the amount of clean energy used at the facility.
§ Once constructed, these solar panel installations will generate approximately 588,300 kilowatt-hours of zero-carbon electricity, which is equivalent to powering 53 homes with clean, renewable energy annually.
§ The solar panel installations, funded in the FY 2022 Budget, support City Council’s unanimously adopted Strategic Energy Action Plan, with a goal of sourcing 100 percent of the city’s energy use from zero-carbon sources by 2030.
§ On August 10, 2022, the city issued an Invitation to Bid (ITB) for the Charlotte Solar Photovoltaic Initiative; one bid was received.
- NC General Statute Section 143-132 prohibits municipalities from awarding construction contracts over $500,000 without receiving at least three competitive bids from the initial advertisement of the contract. The city may subsequently award the contract even if re-advertisements result in fewer than three competitive bids.
§ On September 15, 2022, the ITB was re-issued; one bid was received.
§ Renu Energy Solutions, LLC was the lowest responsive, responsible bidder.
§ NC General Statute Section 143-129 (b) authorizes municipalities to enter into negotiations with the lowest responsive, responsible bidder if the bid is in excess of the funds available for the project by making reasonable changes in the plans and specifications as may be necessary to bring the contract price within the funds available.
§ The project is anticipated to be complete by second quarter 2024.
Charlotte Business INClusion
Per Charlotte Business INClusion Policy: Part B: Section 2.3, The city shall not establish Subcontracting Goals for Contracts where there are no MWBEs or SBEs certified to perform the scopes of work that the city regards as realistic opportunities for subcontracting.
However, Renu Energy Solutions, LLC has committed 0.09% ($1,500) of the total Contract amount to the following certified firm(s):
§ Structural Capacity,PC (SBE) ($1,500) (structural engineering)
Fiscal Note
Funding: General Capital Investment Plan
Attachments
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