85624Y0451-REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS

The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to gather input from the BESS industry, particularly those vendors experienced in the New York City region, to help inform a potential future solicitation and contract documents. The intent is to ensure that DCAS’s BESS program design and procurement/contracting strategy accurately reflects real-world industry practice and capabilities.

DCAS seeks input from the BESS industry regarding transactional structures. DCAS is contemplating procuring BESS through one of three transactional structures, using either: Power Purchase Agreements (PPA), concessions, or leases. All three of these are established types of agreements used by DCAS that contain language covering, among other terms and conditions, commercial terms, liquidated damages, actual damages, site access, price scheduling, and indemnification. Under all three scenarios, DCAS assumes that the City will not own, operate, or maintain the storage infrastructure; DCAS would like input regarding potential models for City asset ownership that may be viable and beneficial. DCAS seeks input from the BESS industry about which type of agreement best suits the industry’s practice and capabilities. DCAS also seeks input from the BESS industry about whether there are viable alternative transactional structures other than the three listed above where the City could ultimately own the BESS. Parties also seek information on how to work with utilities and other potential stakeholders in setting up BESS within the City to benefit host communities at a neighborhood scale and provide much-needed energy capacity and reliability to local distribution grids and benefit load pockets.

DCAS reserves the right to consider information obtained from responses to this RFI in order to develop a Request for Proposals (RFP) or other solicitation documents that would achieve the City’s objectives. The City shall issue a subsequent RFP or other solicitation(s) at its sole discretion, and any response to this RFI does not guarantee either such solicitation of an RFP or consideration for subsequent award.