Site and Project Description
The Town of Lee is seeking proposals for the turnkey design/build installation of a municipal solar and battery storage system on behalf of the Lee Public Library, located at 9 Mast Road Lee, NH. The project will allow the library to serve as an additional resiliency shelter for the Town in the event of severe weather and power outages. The town needs to complete or at least initiate the project by the end of 2025 in order to seek federal tax credits. The town has secured grant funding and a portion of the upcoming town budget for this project.
The library has a new roof and no existing emergency generator. The project aim is to install:
- Photovoltaic energy system to pick up 110% of the library’s daily kWh load. Extra load percentage is to account for future added loads, including potential heat pumps.
- Battery storage to back up critical electrical loads during outages, for no less than 48 hours. Must integrate with solar array with a goal of reducing demand charges.
- History and photos of location attached
- Eversource electric bills provided upon request
Instructions to Bidders
Schedule:
● RFP Release Date: April 23, 2025
● Pre-bid Site Walk: May 7, 2025
● Deadline for Bidder Questions: June 3, 2025
● Response to Bidder Questions: June 13, 2025
● Proposal Due Date: July 1, 2025
● Interviews: July, 2025
● Award Date: August 7, 2025
The Town of Lee reserves the right to adjust these dates.
Contact Information: All coordination and communication regarding this RFP will be handled by Andrew Robertson, Lee Town Administrator townadministrator@leenh.org 603-659-5414 Ext. 312.
Pre-bid Site Walk: Interested bidders may attend a pre-bid site walk at the Lee Public Library on Friday, May 7th at 10 am. Bidders must RSVP to Andrew Robertson by May 1, 2025.
Questions: All questions must be submitted in writing via email to Andrew Robertson by June 3, 2025.
Proposal Submission Format
Proposals must be submitted via email to Andrew Robertson by Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Submissions should not exceed 25 pages and must include the following sections.
1. Cover Letter:
o Statement of ability to complete the project
o Declaration of any conflicts of interest
o 120-day guarantee on proposal terms
2. Contractor Qualifications:
o Overview of the contracting team’s experience
o References from at least three similar projects
3. Project Team:
o Key personnel and their relevant experience
4. Approach and Scope of Work:
o Detailed schedule and responsibilities
o Preferred battery location
o Solar array plan
5. Cost Proposal:
o Detailed cost breakdown, including total project cost
6. Service Agreement:
o Terms of any available service agreements
7. Equipment Details:
o Specifications for the proposed solar & battery system (product specs, dimensions, storage capacity, warranties, safety ratings, and independent certifications)
8. System Specifications:
o Power capacity (kW)
o Initial energy capacity (kWh)
o Rated capacity (Ah), if applicable/available
9. Insurance:
o Provide a Certificate of Insurance with the Town of Lee listed as an additional insured party upon award.
Selection Criteria
The Town will evaluate proposals based on the following criteria:
● Proposal price and overall value
● Experience with similar systems in the region
● Equipment quality and durability, including warranties
● Feedback from references
● Resources available to complete the project on schedule
Note: The project must comply with the permitting process of the Town of Lee Building Department, including the Fire Department notification and inspection.
Municipal Battery Storage Project
Lee Public Library, Lee, NH
Project Location: Lee Library, 9 Mast Road, Lee, NH 03861. Building is a 100+ year old one-story schoolhouse with a portion of the basement finished. Building offers approximately 3600 square feet of interior space. All systems and interior have been renovated within the last 36 months (see attached tax card and photos).
Project Goals: Provide the library and public meeting space with a solar array and back up battery power storage allowing the library to function as an emergency gathering place during power outages and sever weather events.
Outage History: The Town of Lee historically experiences 2 – 6 power outages per year. One memorable example was in February of 2023 during single digit temperatures; the power went out and the commercial generator at the Public Safety Complex failed resulting in closure of the public warming site and frozen plumbing in the Safety Center.
Generator Presence: There is no generator presently on site.
Solar: There is no solar array on site at present. The Town is in discussion with Clean Energy NH with regard to an array installation project in conjunction with the battery storage project.
Battery Location: The library building is located on a sizable, multi-acre town owned parcel of land. The property in question is flat and dry without ledge, there are no particular construction site concerns.
Codes/Permits: No known regulatory impediments to installation (per Lee Code Enforcement).
Service: 400 Amp service updated in 2023. Two panels present.
Critical Loads: Loads that must and will be supported by the battery would be heating (LP gas furnace), cooling, lighting, water pump, refrigerator, microwave oven, 3 desktop computers. Lighting and heating would need to be overnight capable.