Q&A #3: 2021-05-03 9.1MW Community Solar Project Construction & Operation Services 1) Our company finances, constructs and operates renewable power projects for communities, mines, industrial sites, etc specific to this niche market size. Do you think that AREA may have an interest in a financed solar project in which we would finance, construct and operate while entering into a 15 year + Power Purchase Agreement with AREA?Is the expected award and commercial operation date (COD) in 2020, 2021, or 2022? Although the third-party ownership model is generally something AREA is interested in for energy projects, its not something we are entertaining for this particular solar project. 2) We arrange and provides long-tern debt financing for PPA based renewable energy projects, and has been very active in Nova Scotia in this regard. I’d be happy to explore this further with you if the municipalities are intending to seek project financing. We aren’t looking for financing proposals on this particular project, but we will I’ll keep that in mind for future opportunities. 3) We noted that a deadline for questions was referenced in the RFP but we did not see the date for this milestone. Also, would there be a limit to the number of persons from a proposal team attending the site visits? We removed the deadline for questions so folks are free to ask them throughout the RFP process and we will do our best to address all questions with the answers posted publicly on NS Tenders and MERX. A personnel limit per company will likely be dependent on the public health measures related to COVID-19 at the time of the site meetings. AREA will be monitoring guidance from public health and will make a determination on limits the week before the site visits are scheduled. At this time there are no limits on the number of persons that can attend the site visits. 4) Are there any forms or communications required to register our company for this bid tender? No, there aren’t any registration documents required. 5) It appears that this is for the construction and set up to operate the systems, and that the solar panels are not part of the scope, is that a fair assessment? Yes, this RFP is for construction and operations services. As per the RFP, solar panels will be free issued to the successful Proponent(s).
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Q&A #3: 2021-05-03
9.1MW Community Solar Project Construction & Operation Services
1) Our company finances, constructs and operates renewable power projects for communities,
mines, industrial sites, etc specific to this niche market size. Do you think that AREA may have
an interest in a financed solar project in which we would finance, construct and operate while
entering into a 15 year + Power Purchase Agreement with AREA?Is the expected award and
commercial operation date (COD) in 2020, 2021, or 2022?
Although the third-party ownership model is generally something AREA is interested in for energy
projects, its not something we are entertaining for this particular solar project.
2) We arrange and provides long-tern debt financing for PPA based renewable energy projects,
and has been very active in Nova Scotia in this regard. I’d be happy to explore this further with
you if the municipalities are intending to seek project financing.
We aren’t looking for financing proposals on this particular project, but we will I’ll keep that in
mind for future opportunities.
3) We noted that a deadline for questions was referenced in the RFP but we did not see the date
for this milestone. Also, would there be a limit to the number of persons from a proposal team
attending the site visits?
We removed the deadline for questions so folks are free to ask them throughout the RFP process
and we will do our best to address all questions with the answers posted publicly on NS Tenders
and MERX.
A personnel limit per company will likely be dependent on the public health measures related to
COVID-19 at the time of the site meetings. AREA will be monitoring guidance from public health
and will make a determination on limits the week before the site visits are scheduled. At this time
there are no limits on the number of persons that can attend the site visits.
4) Are there any forms or communications required to register our company for this bid tender?
No, there aren’t any registration documents required.
5) It appears that this is for the construction and set up to operate the systems, and that the solar
panels are not part of the scope, is that a fair assessment?
Yes, this RFP is for construction and operations services. As per the RFP, solar panels will be free
issued to the successful Proponent(s).
Q&A #3: 2021-05-03
6) I was wondering if you are keeping a list of registered plan takers for the tender (companies
who request documents)? If so, would we be able to get the list of plan takers?
No, there is not a list of registered plan takers.
7) We manufacture prefabricated e-houses either as a modified container or a building. We could
install and commission your free issued inverters as part of this solution. Is this of interest and
if so, will you accept direct proposals or only through a general contractor? Can you provide an
inverter drawing so we can determine the spacing requirements?
Yes, as per the RFP, AREA is willing to entertain direct proposals from manufacturers and or
suppliers of e-houses, modified containers, or buildings. Inverters have not been selected at this
time. Proponents will be notified once final equipment selection has been made. As per the RFP,
AREA is planning to nominally use 1500V 125kW string inverters for this project. There are several
manufacturers of these inverters that can be used for reference or indicative sizing.
8) Could you please tell me if we can submit our quotations on solar modules, racking system and
helical piles for you on this project? Could you please tell me if you can share the proponents
who are bidding on this project?
AREA already had an RFP for solar equipment that included panels, racking and piles. The RFP
explicitly list racking as an optional submission since some Proponents will want to provide a
wrapped installation service for racking and installation under one warranty. Modules will be free
issued by AREA to the successful Proponent(s).
We don’t have a registration list for this project so we don’t have a list of bidders or plan takers.
9) We see some strong interest in technology to turn every solar panel into a smart panel. This
would be as the panels are being installed, could also be done at the Solar Panel Factory, but
can be done during the set up of the Solar Install, it is small microchip that gets added onto the
panel.
Solar panels are excluded from the scope of this RFP and will be free issued to the successful
Proponent. AREA is not interested in pursuing module level power electronics, micro-chips, or
smart solar panels for this project.
10) Are there any pre-screening or safety requirements for the 9.1 MW COMMUNITY SOLAR
PROJECT site visits?
There are no pre-screening requirements, but we are expecting everyone to respect all public
safety protocols with respect to social distancing while on the job sites.
Q&A #3: 2021-05-03
11) Can AREA please confirm the below regarding free issued equipment: i. Solar Modules and module interconnecting cabling – Supplied by AREA ii. Solar Module Racking – Supplied by AREA iii. Solar Module Foundations – We understand that once Final foundation design
is complete, this can be supplied by AREA or the Contractor. Is this correct?
iv. All Solar Module Combiner Boxes – Supplied by AREA v. All Inverters – Supplied by AREA. The inverters are shown in a seacan enclosure on
the drawing set. Is AREA supplying the pre-fabricated seacan containing all the
inverters, HVAC, lighting, etc. OR is AREA only supplying the inverters and the
Contractor will have to fabricate the seacan enclosure?
vi. If AREA is providing the pre-fabricated seacan for the inverters, will it also contain
the 600V switch board and SCADA system?
vii. Weather station/pyranometers – Supplied by AREA viii. Main Substation Transformer – Supplied by AREA ix. 15kV Load Break Switch, IT cabinet and HV recloser – Supplied by Contractor.
Please Confirm.
Please see the answers to the individual bullet points below:
i. Confirmed that solar modules will be free issued by AREA. Each module comes with 1.0-
1.4m interconnection cables. “Homerun” solar cables will not be supplied by AREA, these are to be supplied by the Proponent.
ii. As per the RFP, solar racking may be free issued by AREA or can be optionally proposed by the Proponent.
iii. The foundations may be free issued by AREA or can be optionally proposed by the Proponent. The final design and pricing of the foundations will be finalized after the completion of the pile testing program. Proponents interested in supplying foundations should provide indicative pricing as part of their proposal based on the information and drawings provided.
iv. Confirmed. v. Confirmed that inverters will be free issued by AREA. Proponents can propose a pre-
fabricated container, or approved equivalent, as part of a larger proposal, or as the only scope, offered to AREA.
vi. See above. If a Proponent is offering a prefabricated seacan as part of a, or the only, scope offered to AREA then it should include the 600V switchboard and SCADA system.
vii. Confirmed. viii. The main substation transformer may be free issued by AREA or optionally supplied by
the Proponent. ix. Confirmed.
12) Please provide manufacturer information and shop drawings for all free issued equipment
and materials.
AREA is still assessing equipment from previous RFPs that will be free issued to Proponents.
Proponents will be notified once the equipment decisions are finalized.
Q&A #3: 2021-05-03
13) Racking reaction loads are not supplied. Please supply, this information shall be required
for foundation suitability assessment for bid and for final design.
Reaction loads will not be finalized until the racking has been selected and after a pile testing program is completed. The foundation drawings provided are preliminary for budgeting purposes. Indicative reaction loads are shown below, but as noted above are subject to change based on the final racking selection and soil conditions during pile testing:
14) Can you confirm how many foot/lbs of torque the helical piles need to be installed at for
the solar projects? Are all three sites and the 5 different helical piles using the same torque
specs?
Reaction loads and torque values for the foundations will not be finalized until after a pile testing program is completed. The foundation drawings provided are preliminary for budgeting purposes.
15) Pile testing program is proposed to start 2nd quarter. Bid closes May 7th. Very tight
timeline, what is the estimated time for award?
Proposals for site preparation work and pile testing will be the first proposals assessed by AREA. Project timelines are subject to change, but AREA is hoping to award the pile testing scope in calendar Q2 2021.
16) Proponent to employ labour from NSCC (Nova Scotia Community College). What percentage?
A set percentage has not been determined. Proponents should make AREA a proposal based on the criteria in 1.10. Local Labour, Skills Training and Materials Inclusion Plan. If there are changes in costs associated with various labour percentages, these should be detailed in the proposal.
17) Portion of the sites are underdeveloped and covered in mature vegetation. Can you
please elaborate and specific sizing, type of vegetation and area covered?
Proponents should make themselves aware of the site conditions as per 1.5. Site Conditions and Investigation by taking part in the Site Visits or by other means. AREA is exploring options for virtual site visits for Proponents who are not able to attend in person due to travel restrictions, but a virtual site visit is not guaranteed and Proponents should not rely on this being an option available to them in order to prepare a submission.
North Wind Uplifting
South Wind Down Force
Vertical (kN) Horizontal (kN) Moment Toward South (kNm) Vertical (kN) Horizontal (kN)
Moment Toward
South (kNm)
AREA Solar Gardens
Snow
2.30 KPa
Wind Corner Piler Two End Piles -19.00 10.80 26.80 14.50 -8.40 -10.50
18) Long term monitoring and maintenance of foundation settlement and frost heave, what
portion of the contract is this captured under?
Long term monitoring and maintenance of foundation settlement and frost heave would be covered under the optional Operations & Maintenance scope.
19) Who owns the existing power pole lines on the Antigonish site need to be moved?
NSPI owns the existing power lines on that site. Yes, the existing pole line feeding the tower will
need to be moved to along the property line adjacent to the tower.
20) Is clearing, or clearing and grubbing, required for site preparation?
Both clearing and grubbing will be required at all three sites.
21) Where does the debris from clearing and or grubbing go, does it need to be removed from
site? Can wood waste be chipped on site?
Wood waste can be chipped on site. Proponents should include a line item cost to remove debris
from grubbing and clearing from the site as part of their proposal.
22) Can alternate locations for service roads be proposed to reduce grades and or costs?
Yes, please detail as part of the proposal.
23) Do you want gravel, sod, seed, or other type of finished topsoil under the panels?
Site conditions can be left “as is” after they have been appropriately prepared for construction
(ex. clearing, grubbing, grading / levelling etc.). AREA does not have a requirement for gravel,
sod, or seed, but Proponents can include an optional cost for these services as part of their
proposal.
24) Can you clarify the schedule between pile testing and site preparation work?
AREA is intending to complete clearing and grubbing of the sites prior to pile testing.
Q&A #3: 2021-05-03
25) I have a question about the solar racking system, In that is the system that you have in the
proposal the only one that can be used? I’m asking this, with a different racking system it can
change the pile size requirements and their loading, which can help in the costs with the
system in pile sizes and the installations.
The racking shown in the drawings is an example of what could be used, but shouldn’t be
considered the only option available. AREA ran an RFP for solar equipment, including racking,
previously and is currently assessing the results. As per the RFP, AREA is also open to entertaining
racking and foundations as part of a Proponents response to this RFP and Proponents are free to
propose racking different then that shown in the drawings.
26) Can you share the list of proponents who have been issued the RFP?
AREA does not have a list of Proponents who have a copy of the RFP. The RFP is posted publicly
on NS Tenders and MERX.
27) Are all the solar panels, transformers, piles and racking “Free Issued” to the successful bidder?
Is there a complete list of the all the “free Issued” materials?
The list of free issued equipment can be found in the RFP and is shown below:
Exclusions – Free Issued Equipment:
• The following list of equipment will be free issued by AREA to the successful Proponent. Further details on the free issue of equipment can be found in Part A: The Services – 4 Free Issued Equipment.
• Solar modules • Inverters and combiner boxes • Racking and foundations (can be optionally
proposed by Proponents) • Weather station / pyranometers • Main substation transformers (can be optionally
proposed by Proponents)
28) Are you considering changing the submission date?
No, not currently. AREA is intending that the submission date will remain the same, but retains
the right to change this later if it sees fit. If there are any changes to the submission date, they
will be posted online via NS Tenders and MERX.
Q&A #3: 2021-05-03
29) We were wondering if there will be an “online” site visit alternative, since it is a bit
complicated to travel right now?
AREA is exploring options for virtual site visits for Proponents who are not able to attend in person due to travel restrictions, but a virtual site visit is not guaranteed and Proponents should not rely on this being an option available to them in order to prepare a submission.
30) Would you be open to a proposal that also includes the supply of all the equipment as part of
this RFP if this can lead to cost savings on the whole project?
There are several key equipment components that AREA does want to keep control of the
procurement on as listed as Free Issued Equipment in the RFP. As per the RFP, we are open to
proposals that wrap the supply of racking along with the installation services as well as supply of
the main transformers.
31) I tried to download the terms of reference but I could not get the dropbox link working. Can
you assist me?
You should be able to download all the project files in .zip format from MERX if the dropbox link
is not working for you.
32) I noted that in the technical specifications provided in the RFP, there is a very good detailed
description of the equipment to be free issued, however not suggesting any specific
manufacturer in most instances, but I did not read any racking specification, but did note the
30 degree tilt on the Typical Rack and Combiner Arrangement Details drawings. We are
interested in supplying the racking, and the pilings for the works, as well as other value-added
services detailed below.
Specific equipment manufactures have not been selected at this time. As per the RFP, Proponents
are free to propose racking and foundations as part of a wrapped construction service as part of
this RFP.
33) With regards to additional value-added services per Section 3 of the RFP, is AREA willing to
consider a complete Bonded EPC offer, whereby we would engineer, procure all of the
equipment, construction, and take all of the risks for the logistical and total project
management of the 3 sites; and in short provide a turn-key offer to AREA for all of the works
described in the RFP, including O and M? We have the experience, resources, and financial
strength to provide this value-added benefit to AREA as a lump-sum offer.
Yes we are open to this turn-key approach, with the exception of supply of the free issued
equipment listed in the RFP.
Q&A #3: 2021-05-03
34) Berwick Civil Drawing seems to be missing in the Civil and Structural folder.
There will be some minor changes to the Berwick civil / structural drawing (ex. setback from
western property edge watercourse) that will be discussed with the shortlisted and or successful
Proponent(s). Fencing and roadway specifications should be assumed to be the same as the
Antigonish and Mahone Bay sites.
35) What are the tolerances on post foundations? And what if we hit asphalt or other debris
underground?
Final tolerances will be dependent on the racking supplier which has not been selected at this
time. Indicative tolerances are shown below:
• Plumb (all directions): < 1 degree
• East/West (positional): +/- 50mm
• North/South (positional): +/- 50mm acceptable but +/- 25mm preferred
• Vertical (pile height): +/- 30mm
A detailed Pile Testing program is included in the scope of this RFP for all three sites. A
Proponent will conduct the Pile Testing program to determine the suitability of the different
foundation designs for specific areas of the site. Some portions of the sites may require
deadman or grouted piles based on underground debris that will be identified during the Pile
Testing program. AREA will be adjusting the scope of work and foundations with the final
successful Proponent(s) based on the results of the Pile Testing program to account for specific
site conditions.
36) Is there a water course / wetland on the sites and if so how are they to be handled?
The Berwick site has a watercourse along the western property boundary. The Issued for
Construction drawings prepared with the successful Proponent(s) will offset construction from
the water course. Proponents should not be budgeting for any modifications to the watercourse
on the Berwick site.
There are no applicable water courses or wetlands on the Mahone Bay or Berwick sites.
37) Nothing is mentioned with respect to disposal of groundwater and/or perched water. What
are the disposal requirements?
We are reviewing the requirements for this with our consultants. Proponents should include a
line item cost and description of their proposed solution for disposal of groundwater and/or
perched water.
Q&A #3: 2021-05-03
38) Foundation movement tolerances to be confirmed. Estimated to be from 25mm -100mm
and above. What will be the tolerances for design be?
Final tolerances will be dependent on the racking supplier which has not been selected at this
time. Indicative tolerances are shown below:
• Plumb (all directions): < 1 degree
• East/West (positional): +/- 50mm
• North/South (positional): +/- 50mm acceptable but +/- 25mm preferred
• Vertical (pile height): +/- 30mm
39) VJ Rice Concrete Limited drawings April 16/19 are referenced, but not supplied. Please supply.
The VJ Rice drawing referenced in the geotechnical reports is for an above ground ballasted
design. Based on the geotechnical results and consultant input AREA is not anticipating a
requirement to ballast these projects and that all the foundation requirements can be met
through a variation of pile designs and grouted where appropriate.
40) From reviewing the single line diagrams provided, the 15kV transformer disconnect, recloser
and motor operated switch seem to be >5 times larger than required rated at 600A. Can lower
current rated equipment be used for cost efficiency?
The 600A rating is the standard rating based on interrupting capability rather than continuous
rating. If a Proponent wants to suggest alternate equipment with lower continuous ratings that
still meet the interrupting rating that is fine, but it must be clearly detailed in the proposal. Any
proposed alternates will be reviewed by AREA’s Engineer for approval.
41) Concrete pad drawings are referenced; however, no concrete pad drawings were
supplied. Please provide concrete pad drawings.
The final pad design can not be completed until the size and weight of the equipment to be
mounted on the pad can be confirmed. Please provide indicative pricing based on a typical pad
for this type of application. The final pad design will be incorporated in the Issued for Construction
drawings and final pricing will be revisited with the successful Proponent at that time.
42) In Section 2.1 of the RFP document, there is a section pertaining to Access Roads on page 12 of
44. This section indicates that roads are to have 300mm of Gran B placed and compacted, then
covered with 150mm of Gran A compacted. The next point in this section indicates that access
roads are to match existing conditions possible. The question is, do we excavate to place these
granulars such that the existing grade is maintained or, do we place the granulars on top of the
existing soil conditions?
Place the granulars on top of the existing soil conditions.
Q&A #3: 2021-05-03
43) Could I get estimated start dates for electrical part at each site?
More detailed project schedules will be developed based on the responses to this RFP.
44) The bridge to enter Willow Ave in Berwick is rated for 18 tonnes. Are there plans to
address this to allow for heavy equipment access?
There are no plans to modify the bridge on Willow Avenue. Proponents’ equipment shall
adhere to this rating if they are using this bridge. Alternatively, with the appropriate
approvals from TIR, Proponents may be able to access the site from Highway 101. It will be
the responsibility of the Proponent to secure any required approvals / permissions and to
be able to provide a copy of them to AREA on request.
45) What is AREA’s project management strategy, and preferred approach to project delivery?
AREA does not have a preference and is open to a variety of project management and delivery
approaches including delivery through a general contractor or AREA contracting individually for
specific scopes. If Proponents are interested in general contracting and or project managing the
project, they should highlight in the proposal their applicable solar experience and how their
approach best manages and reduces cost and risk for AREA.
46) Can we submit direct bids for civil work or only through a general contractor?
Yes, as per the RFP AREA is open to entertaining direct bids for specific scopes including, but not
limited to, civil work.
47) Will you re-issue the RFP after completing the pile testing program?
AREA is not intending to re-issue the RFP after the pile testing program. Depending on the results
of the RFP, AREA may opt to proceed with a Proponent for the pile testing scope and then issue
short listed Proponents the results of that testing program in order to provide updated pricing.
48) Are the distribution line upgrades and construction of the substation included in the RFP?
Yes.
49) Can you confirm that the Berwick project is taking place in 2022? And how do contractors
account for changes in cost between now and 2022?
Yes, we are intending that the construction of the Berwick project will be in 2022. AREA may opt
to conduct some activity at the Berwick site in 2021 and will discuss those details with the selected
or shortlisted Proponent(s). For example, clearing, grubbing, pile testing, grading, fencing and
service roads could be potentially completed in Berwick during 2021.
Q&A #3: 2021-05-03
Contractors should provide pricing based on current market conditions and it should be valid for
a minimum of sixty (60) days as per the RFP. If pricing is no longer valid at the time AREA awards
a contract for a specific service, AREA will ask the Proponent(s) to provide updated pricing at that
time.
50) Is finishing soil, sod, or gravel required in Berwick?
No, this is not required at any of the three sites. Proponents can provide optional adders for these
and other landscaping / finishing services if they wish, but they are not required.
51) Is galvanized steel mesh an acceptable alternate to aluminum for the fencing and can the fence
posts be driven rather than placed in concrete?
Yes, galvanized steel is an acceptable alternate to aluminum for fencing. Yes, fence posts can be
driven.
52) It appears the revised address for the Mahone Bay site (918 Main Street) is at the water
treatment facility. Are there going to be revised drawings issued?
Yes, the Town of Mahone Bay and AREA are changing the location of the Mahone Bay site to 918
Main Street, the municipal waste water treatment facility, as shown below:
AREA is currently working with its consultants on a revised set of drawings for Mahone Bay. The
revised drawings will not be issued prior the project closing on May 7th 2021.
Proponents can opt to provide indicative pricing for Mahone Bay based on the details of the two
other sites, or they can decline to provide pricing at this time. AREA will issue the revised drawings
for the Mahone Bay site when they are available to either the shortlisted and or successful
Q&A #3: 2021-05-03
Proponent(s) and discuss firm pricing at that time. Note that AREA will be using the results from
the Antigonish and Berwick sites to shortlist potential Proponents for Mahone Bay.
If a Proponent is interested in providing pricing for Mahone Bay, but would prefer to wait until a
drawings set is issued, they should make this clear in the proposal. Declining to provide indicative
pricing for Mahone Bay prior to AREA issuing a revised drawing set will not hurt the evaluation of
a Proponents submission for the Antigonish and Berwick sites.
If a Proponent is planning to bid all three sites they should provide pricing assuming the Mahone
Bay project will start construction in 2021 and will be indicatively sized between 1.8-2.2MW.
53) How do we price civil work for the new Mahone Bay site without drawings?
Proponents will not be required to provide pricing for the Mahone Bay site prior to the May 7th
deadline and this will be noted in an addendum. AREA will be using the results of the Antigonish
and Berwick submissions to select or shortlist Proponent(s) who will be issued the Mahone Bay
drawings to price once they are available.
54) We have already very good prices for all equipment. We want to know if you can include us in
your prices analysis now since a decision is not yet made on equipment procurement.
The RFP lists a few pieces of equipment that AREA will keep control of the procurement for, some
of which the contractors can optionally propose (ex. racking, foundations, and transformers).
Items like solar panels and inverters AREA will be procuring and free issuing to the successful
proponent.
55) We found out yesterday via the site visits and addenda that the project location for Mahone
Bay has changed. As a result, we are wondering how this will effect the equipment RFP and our
previous racking submission. How would you like for us to update the steel costs with this
project change?
Shortlisted racking vendors will be asked to provide updated proposals for the Mahone Bay site
once the new drawings are available. The site change in Mahone Bay will not affect the review of
previously submitted racking proposals.
Proponents that want to submit for racking as part of the current construction RFP should ensure
that their standard pricing is valid for a minimum of sixty (60) days as per the terms in the RFP.
If Proponents want to provide an optional alternate price submission that removes steel costing
contingencies and is indexed to a recognized North American steel index (ex. CRU index) they are
free to do so.
Q&A #3: 2021-05-03
56) How long is pricing to be valid for and how do we account for price volatility in the steel
market?
Standard pricing should be valid for a minimum of sixty (60) days as per the terms in the RFP. If
Proponents want to provide an optional alternate price submission that removes steel costing
contingencies and is indexed to a recognized North American steel index (ex. CRU index) they are
free to do so.
57) For the purpose of the AREA EPC RFP and our proposed schedule, we are hoping to
understand the expected delivery timeline for free issued equipment: modules, inverters
and combiner boxes, etc.
AREA is still reviewing the results of the equipment RFP and has not made a final decision on
vendors which will impact delivery schedules. Please assume that the free issued equipment will
be available on site when required. Proponents should make clear in their proposal if there are
specific dates when free issued equipment would be required in order to comply with the rough
project schedule provided.
58) I was wondering if there is an opportunity to provide a proposal for supply of the
electrical distribution gear. We have looked at the plans and have an E-House style
solution.
Yes, this is an opportunity. AREA will entertain direct proposals from e-house manufacturers /
suppliers (inclusive of the distribution gear) even if you are not interested in any install /
commissioning services.
59) Do you still expect the Mahone Bay civil works to be started this Summer with the change
in location? Do you anticipate a revised plan or addendum/extension for this project?
It is possible for the Mahone Bay work to start this summer, but it may push into the fall depending
on when the new drawings are available. We will not have the new drawings issued prior to the
RFP closing. Since there are no drawings for Mahone Bay you can opt not to provide pricing at
this time and it will not affect the evaluation. We will be using the results for Berwick and
Antigonish to shortlist and or select Proponents. Revised Mahone Bay drawings will be submitted
to those shortlisted and or selected Proponents for pricing once they become available. This
change will be noted in an addendum. We are not planning to extend the submission deadline at
this time.
Q&A #3: 2021-05-03
60) If Mahone Bay civil work is delayed, would you expect for the civil work in Berwick to go
this Summer potentially in place of the Mahone Bay work?
Yes, moving forward some of the site work at Berwick is something we are looking at. For example,
clearing, grubbing, pile testing, grading, fencing and service roads could be potentially completed
in Berwick during 2021.
61) Are you still intending to mount modules in landscape or is portrait acceptable?
AREA has not selected a racking design at this time, but at this stage portrait is the preferred
approach.
62) Will the site change in Mahone Bay change the Pile Testing scope or will this remain the
same?
Since the project size (MWpdc) and area is anticipated to be similar, AREA is not anticipating any
changes in scope to the Pile Testing due to the Mahone Bay site change.
63) My team is hoping to get the topo CAD files for the Berwick site?
AREA has updated the dropbox link on NS Tenders and the attachments on MERX to include the
topographic maps for the three locations. Proponents can find more detailed information
including but not limited to topographic maps, ariel photographs, soils, site features etc. for all
three locations through the provincial GeoNOVA website: https://geonova.novascotia.ca/.
64) Is building demolition required at any of the sites?
No.
65) I see that Addendum #2 has changed the property address for the Mahone Bay site. Will
you be sharing the Plan view drawings for this site? Specifically we are looking for the
Site Grading Plan, Erosion & Control Plan and Pile Layout Plan. Also will you provide an
access road profile as was given for the previous site?
As per Q&A #2 and Addendum #3, new plans for Mahone Bay will not be available prior to the
closing date. Proponents can opt to provide indicative pricing based on the anticipated project
size (1.8-2.2MW), or not to provide pricing for Mahone Bay at this time since the drawings are not
available. AREA will use the RFP submissions for the Berwick and Antigonish sites to shortlist and
or select Proponent(s) to issue the Mahone Bay drawings to for pricing once the drawings package