Prairie Island Net Zero Project RFP
The full RFP package can be viewed at: Prairie Island Net Zero RFP – Egnyte Connect
PRAIRIE ISLAND INDIAN COMMUNITY ISSUES CONSTRUCTION RFP FOR $46.2 NET ZERO ENERGY PROJECT
PRAIRIE ISLAND, MN, Oct. 1, 2021 – The Prairie Island Indian Community (PIIC) issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to design, construct, and implement a net-zero carbon emissions footprint for the Tribe through a combination of advanced energy measures. Project details and the RFP can be found on the Prairie Island Net Zero Project web page.
“The net zero project is a transformational opportunity for our Tribe; we are excited to be advancing the project to its next stage, by selecting construction partners who will help reshape our energy future,” said Tribal Council President Shelley Buck. “The opportunity to determine our own energy future through innovative planning and strategies aligns with our cultural values and our long-term vision. We look forward to positively impacting our membership, our visitors, and our future generations.”
The Minnesota Legislature approved a $46.2 million appropriation for the Prairie Island Net Zero Project during the 2020 Legislative Session. The money comes from the State’s renewable development account, which was established in 1999 as a condition of allowing Xcel Energy to temporarily store nuclear waste outside its nuclear power plant on Prairie Island, adjacent to the Prairie Island Indian Community. Toxic nuclear waste is still stored on Prairie Island with no movement toward developing a national nuclear waste repository.
Prairie Island Indian Community seeks one or more contractors to implement a combination of solar, ground source heat pumps, energy efficiency, electrification, and resource conservation projects. These projects advance the primary intent of the legislation to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in alignment with the enacting legislation and the vision, values, and priorities identified in the PIIC’s July 1, 2021 report issued to the Minnesota Legislature. The successful contractor will propose a comprehensive, industry-leading approach with proven technology that meets or exceeds key performance metrics and project goals. This transformational project will result in Prairie Island Indian Community becoming a leader in Indian Country in net zero emissions, energy sovereignty, and energy resiliency. The Prairie Island Indian Community highly values participation from industry experts, including PIIC-Tribal member, Native American-owned, veteran, women, and minority-owned businesses and companies and organizations that, with their projects, can actively improve the lives of its membership.
The RFP will proceed according to the following schedule:
RFP Issue Date October 1, 2021
Deadline to Register for Bidders Conference – Pre-register here October 5, 2021 at 5pm CDT
Mandatory Virtual Bidders Conference October 7, 2021 at 2pm CDT
Mandatory Site Walk October 8, 2021 at 10am CST
Deadline for Bidder Questions October 13, 2021 at 2pm CST
Intent to Bid Form October 19, 2021 at 5pm CST
Proposals Due October 29, 2021 at 2pm CST
Potential Interviews November 2021
Contracts Finalized December 31, 2021
Interested parties are encouraged to visit the Prairie Island Net Zero Project web page for more information, including how to access the full RFP. All communication will be conducted via email at PIIC-NZ-RFP@sagerenew.com. Bidders are strictly prohibited from directly contacting Prairie Island Indian Community representatives or consultants regarding this project.
https://prairieisland.org/net-zero/
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About Prairie Island Indian Community
The Prairie Island Indian Community, a federally recognized Tribal Nation, is located in southeastern Minnesota along the banks of the Mississippi River, approximately 30 miles from the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. On the web: www.prairieisland.org.
PRAIRIE ISLAND INDIAN COMMUNITY SELECTS CONSULTANTS FOR NET-ZERO PROJECT – Two Native American Firms Will Be Technical Consultants On The $46 Million Energy Project
PRAIRIE ISLAND, Minn., Feb. 2 2021 –The Prairie Island Indian Community has selected a team led by Indian Energy (IE) and Chief Strategy Group (CSG), both Native American-owned companies, to help create an energy system for the Tribe that results in net-zero emissions.
Prairie Island received a $46 million appropriation from the Minnesota Legislature in 2020 to develop and execute a comprehensive renewable energy plan for the Tribe that focuses on conservation, on-site renewable energy generation, and sustainability initiatives.
“We are changing our Tribe’s future with this net-zero project,” said Tribal Council President Shelley Buck. “We found partners that not only understand how to create the right energy solution, but they also understand Native culture and the importance of what this project means to our sovereignty and our future. That’s exciting.”
“Indian Energy is honored and humbled to have been selected by the Prairie Island Indian Community to create the strategic plan for their net-zero project and to guide the Tribe and the process to a successful conclusion,” said Indian Energy founder and CEO Allen G Cadreau. “We look forward to meeting with all stakeholders to listen, learn and understand the Tribe’s needs and develop a plan that is feasible, flexible and incremental.”
IE is a microgrid development and systems integration firm, based in California. IE focuses primarily on developing energy solutions for tribes, as well as the United States Departments of Defense and Homeland Security.
“As an all-Native company, Chief Strategy Group is extremely excited to partner with Indian Energy, LLC for this initiative for the Prairie Island Indian Community. This net-zero energy project will set a high benchmark for Indian Country and we are humbled to assist the Tribe with the project,” said CSG President and founder, Michell Hicks. “We strive to provide unique and custom solutions for tribal communities that are reflective of their sovereignty and unique strengths. Alongside the Tribe and our partners, we look forward to bringing forward a plan that the Prairie Island Indian Community is proud of and makes a positive impact for future generations.”
CSG assists tribes in establishing long-term financial and operational strategies in government and business. The company is based in North Carolina.
IE and CSG will be joined on the project team by NV5, an international energy engineering and consulting firm, and The Mendota Group LLC, a Minnesota-based consultancy that focuses on sustainability initiatives.
“Our team of subject matter experts will explore all technologies, strategies and additional resources available to Prairie Island Indian Community to maximize the value of the grant funds,” said Henry J Boulley Jr, COO of Indian Energy. “We are honored to partner with CSG and the additional team members to assist the Prairie Island Indian Community with their energy vision and the overall goals of the project.”
The team will be responsible for developing and helping the Tribe execute a comprehensive project plan, which must be filed with the state of Minnesota by July 1, 2021. Money for the project money comes from the State’s renewable development account, which was established as a condition of allowing Xcel Energy to temporarily store nuclear waste in dry casks outside its nuclear power plant that is adjacent to the Tribe’s reservation.
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About Prairie Island Indian Community
The Prairie Island Indian Community, a federally recognized Indian Nation, is located in southeastern Minnesota along the banks of the Mississippi River, approximately 30 miles from the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Twin nuclear reactors and 47 large steel nuclear waste storage casks sit about 700 yards from Prairie Island tribal homes. A total of 98 casks could be stranded on Prairie Island indefinitely unless the federal government fulfills its commitment to create a permanent storage solution. The only evacuation route off the Prairie Island is frequently blocked by passing trains. The Tribe has been pushing for the removal of the nuclear waste since 1994 when Xcel Energy was first allowed to store the waste near its reservation. On the web: www.prairieisland.org.
About Indian Energy, LLC
Indian Energy, LLC, is a privately held microgrid developer and systems integrator, specializing in developing large-scale advanced energy resiliency solutions for the Department of Defense, Community Choice Aggregators, Utilities and Tribal Nations & their Utility Authorities. The company was founded in 2009 and is certified as a Small Business Enterprise and a Minority-owned Business Enterprise. Indian Energy is 100% Native American-owned and -operated, with offices in Anaheim Hills and San Diego, California, as well as in Baja Norte California, Mexico. On the web: www.indianenergy.com.
About Chief Strategy Group
Chief Strategy Group, Inc. was founded in 2015 with the vision of assisting tribal nations across the country in achieving their desired outcomes. At CSG, we respect and encourage the exercise of tribal sovereignty in governance and operations. Our team thoroughly understands the challenges faced and opportunities available to tribal nations when strategic, actionable plans are developed and executed. As such, we leverage our nationwide network of professional relationships to assemble qualified teams of subject matter experts to work alongside our core team of consultants to deliver customized work product to all of our tribal clients. Our primary office is in Cherokee, North Carolina: home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. CSG takes great pride in being a 100% Native American owned and operated firm. On the web: chiefstrategygroupinc.com.
PRAIRIE ISLAND INDIAN COMMUNITY ISSUES RFP FOR CONSULTANT FOR $46 MILLION NET-ZERO PROJECT
PRAIRIE ISLAND, Minn., Sept. 9, 2020–The Prairie Island Indian Community has issued an RFP for a technical services consultant to help create an energy system for the Tribe that results in net-zero emissions.
The Minnesota Legislature approved a $46 million appropriation for the Prairie Island Net Zero Project during the 2020 Legislative Session. The money comes from the State’s renewable development account, which was established as a condition of allowing Xcel Energy to temporarily store nuclear waste in dry casks outside its nuclear power plant that is adjacent to the Tribe’s reservation.
“The net zero project is a transformation opportunity for our Tribe; we can reshape our energy future,” said Tribal Council President Shelley Buck. “For too long, our Tribe has been burdened by the negative impact of energy production, specifically nuclear power and nuclear waste. This legislation gives us the power to change that narrative and use energy production as a force for good.”
The selected Vendor will help the Tribe develop and execute a project plan, including elements such as governance, community engagement, feasibility, technical analysis, possible creation of a tribal utility, and more.
The RFP will proceed according to the following schedule:
1) RFP Issue Date: September 8, 2020
2) Initial Submission Due from Respondents: (Notice of Intent to Respond – Attachment B) September 28, 2020
3) Informational Video Conference Call October 1, 2020
4) Response Submission Deadline October 12, 2020
5) Short List Selection & Presentations: October 19, 2020
6) Potential Negotiations: November 2020
7) Final Selection: & Contract Execution November 2020
https://prairieisland.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Prairie-Island-Net-Zero-Project-RFP-Final-9.8.20.pdf
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About the Prairie Island Indian Community
The Prairie Island Indian Community, a federally recognized Indian Nation, is located in southeastern Minnesota along the banks of the Mississippi River, approximately 30 miles from the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Twin nuclear reactors and 44 large steel nuclear waste storage casks sit about 700 yards from Prairie Island tribal homes. A total of 98 casks could be stranded on Prairie Island indefinitely unless the federal government fulfills its commitment to create a permanent storage solution. The only evacuation route off the Prairie Island is frequently blocked by passing trains. The Tribe has been pushing for the removal of the nuclear waste since 1994 when Xcel Energy was first allowed to store the waste near its reservation. On the web: www.prairieisland.org.