SHARED SAVINGS FINANCING OF
ENERGY EFFICIENT LIGHT-EMITTING DIODE (LED)
TECHNOLOGY
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
STATE OF FLORIDA
RFI NO.: DMS 11/12-036
Amendment 1
The Department hereby amends the Request for Information. The amendment is
as follows:

The Department hereby answers questions posed by interested
respondents. This amendment need not be returned with the response.
Answers to proposers’ questions begin on the next page.
Written Responses to Questions
All written questions are reproduced in the same format as submitted by the
Respondent.
Question #1
How many projects is the DMS referring to?
Answer #1
DMS manages 104 facilities, including parking structures, around the state
and our goal is to retrofit the outdoor lighting at each one of them. DMS will
not attempt to address all 104 facilities within a single project all at once.
However, based upon what we learn from this RFI, we may decide to
address all of our Tallahassee facilities in one project.
Question #2
How would DMS like to see the “Shared Services” structured?
Answer #2
The purpose of this RFI is for DMS to learn what is currently available with
regards to shared-savings energy projects. DMS is particularly interested in
vendor-financed projects where the state does not have to assume the
liability of a long-term loan similar to that of the state’s current energy
performance contracting program, but a model where the owner splits the
energy cost savings with the vendor as they occur.
Question #3
Will DMS require “Buy American” by those participating?
Answer #3
DMS is not aware of any specific restriction in this regard. However, as with
all procurements, DMS is required to follow all applicable laws.
Question #4
Could DMS provide 2 sites (parking lot and parking garage) that could be used for
the comparisons?
Answer #4
Not with regards to this RFI. DMS will use the information learned in the RFI
to create the content and structure of the competitive procurement that is
expected to follow. The competitive procurement, if pursued, will include
the means for the bidders to collect all pertinent information regarding DMS
parking garages and lots.
Question #5
Will DMS require mock ups at an existing site?
Answer #5
Not with regards to this RFI.
Question #6
Will DMS require participating installers and suppliers to have State of Florida
Business License, be a SBA or Minority license?
Answer #6
DMS will require a State of Florida business license. DMS does not require
an SBA or Minority license to contract with DMS.
Question #7
Will DMS require participating installers to be responsible for all disposal of
existing products including hazardous material (lamps and ballast) as well as
recycling appropriate material?
Answer #7
DMS typically requires vendors to be responsible to dispose of existing
materials and to do so in a responsible manner.
Question #8
Will DMS award the contract/order based on lowest price, product performance,
warranty length, the length of time the manufacture has been in business.
Answer #8
The competitive procurement will be developed based upon what DMS
learns from this RFI. The competitive procurement and ensuing vendor
selection(s) will be in accordance with all applicable procurement laws.
Question #9
Will LED fixture certifications be a requirement such as (UL or ETL listed) and
(M79 and LM80) compliance?
Answer #9
The competitive procurement will be developed based upon what DMS
learns from this RFI. DMS typically requires certifications that exceed
minimum code requirements, but we will make the final determination after
all RFI responses have been reviewed.
Question
#10
How many projects is the DMS referring to? Please quantify…
Answer #10
DMS manages 104 facilities, including parking structures, around the state
and our goal is to retrofit the outdoor lighting at each one of them. DMS will
not attempt to address all 104 facilities within a single project all at once.
However, based upon what we learn from this RFI, we may decide to
address all of our Tallahassee facilities in one project.
Question
#11
How would DMS like to see the “Shared Services” structured? This is another
way of saying Performance Contract.
Answer #11
The purpose of this RFI is for DMS to learn what is currently available with
regards to shared-savings energy projects. DMS is particularly interested in
vendor-financed projects where the state does not have to assume the
liability of a long-term loan similar to that of the state’s current energy
performance contracting program, but a model where the owner splits the
energy cost savings with the vendor as they occur.
Question
#12
Will DMS require “Buy American” by those participating?
Answer #12
DMS is not aware of any specific restriction in this regard. However, as with
all procurements, DMS is required to follow all applicable laws.
Question
#13
Could DMS provide 2 sites (parking lot and parking garage) that could be used for
the comparisons? This could be a base line for an equal playing field.
Answer #13
Not with regards to this RFI. DMS will use the information learned in the RFI
to create the content and structure of the competitive procurement that is
expected to follow. The competitive procurement, if pursued, will include
the means for the bidders to collect all pertinent information regarding DMS
parking garages and lots.
Question
#14
Will DMS require mock ups at an existing site?
Answer #14
Not with regards to this RFI.
Question
#15
Will DMS require participating installers and suppliers to have State of Florida
Business License, be a SBA or Minority license?
Answer #15
DMS will require a State of Florida business license. DMS does not require
an SBA or Minority license to contract with DMS.
Question
#16
Will DMS require participating installers to be responsible for all disposal of
existing products including hazardous material (lamps and ballast) as well as
recycling appropriate material?
Answer #16
DMS typically requires vendors to be responsible to dispose of existing
materials and to do so in a responsible manner.