Build-Ready Request for Proposals (RFP)

Closed: Build-Ready Request for Proposals (RFP)

This RFP is now closed. Step Two Bid Proposals were due March 14, 2024. NYSERDA is evaluating Step Two Bid Proposals and plans to award the project in 2024.

NYSERDA’s Build-Ready Program is currently in the process of auctioning its first project, seeking a partner to transform a former mine in St. Lawrence County into one of the largest solar projects in New York’s Adirondack Park.

The Build-Ready Program ran a competitive Request for Proposals (BRRFP23-1) for the Build-Ready (BR) Benson Mines Solar Project, a 12 MWac solar facility located in St. Lawrence County and sited within the boundaries of Benson Mines on a former iron-ore tailings pile. Once operational, it’s expected to generate enough renewable energy to power up to 3,000 homes annually.

NYSERDA worked with community leaders, business partners, and regional partner agencies to develop the project. NYSERDA entered into an exclusive lease option agreement with Benson Mines Inc. for the project area and has fully permitted the project with the Adirondack Park Agency (APA). NYSERDA advanced the project to the Facilities Study of the state’s interconnection process with the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) and provided interconnection cost estimates to eligible Proposers. NYSERDA collaborated with the Town of Clifton to ensure the project complements the community's character and long-term economic development plans. NYSERDA and the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency (SLCIDA) advanced the project’s PILOT Agreement and established a Host Community Improvement Benefit Fund to be managed by SLCIDA. The fund’s purpose is to advance and support projects that have local impact and align with community and regional interests.

Through BRRFP23-1, the Build-Ready Program will award, sell, and transfer the Benson Mines solar project to an eligible Proposer to complete the remaining development milestones, finance, construct, own and operate the project. The awarded Proposer will enter into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (MIPA) to buy the project from NYSERDA and a 20-year agreement to sell Tier 1 Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) generated by the Benson Mines solar project (REC Agreement) to NYSERDA.

The BRRFP23-1 was implemented through a two-step process, consisting of:

1. Step One Eligibility Application: A qualifying step, in which Proposers had to demonstrate their technical and financial ability to meet all the minimum eligibility qualifications to design, secure financing for, construct, and own and operate the Benson Mines solar project. Proposers whose Step One Eligibility Applications were found to be complete and that met all the minimum eligibility qualifications received a Notice of Qualification and were invited to submit a Step Two Bid Proposal.
2. Step Two Bid Proposal: A competitive step, in which Proposers submitted a Bid Proposal, including a Bid Price, to NYSERDA. NYSERDA will examine and evaluate Bid Proposals based on price and non-price factors including the Proposer’s qualifications, Project Execution Plan, economic benefits the Proposer can provide to New York State, the host community, New York State-certified Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (SDVOBs), and any surrounding Disadvantaged Communities, and the Proposer’s competitive REC Bid Price.

Only those Proposers found eligible, based on meeting all Minimum Eligibility Qualifications, under Step One were permitted to submit a Step Two Bid Proposal.

Step One Informational Webinar

NYSERDA hosted an informational webinar to provide an overview of the Benson Mines Solar project, the RFP, and the Step One Eligibility Application process on October 17, 2023 at 11 AM ET.

• Step One Proposers’ Webinar PPT [PDF]
• Step One Proposers’ Recording 
• Step One Proposers' Webinar Q&A [PDF]

Comments or Questions to NYSERDA on Step One Eligibility Application

Interested participants were invited to submit written questions on the Step One Eligibility Application and requirements no later than Friday, October 27, 2023, to [email protected]. NYSERDA posted the responses to the written questions on Friday, November 17, 2023.

• Responses to Written Questions [PDF]

Step One Eligibility Application Due Date: December 7, 2023, 3:00 p.m. ET

Proposers had to submit the full Step One Eligibility Application including the Step One Eligibility Application Form (Appendix 1 ) and other requested attachments and information, as described in Part II. Section 2.1 Eligibility Application Requirements in the BRRFP23-1 Summary Document, using the link: Build-Ready Project Auction Request for Proposals (BRRFP23-1)  by 3:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 7, 2023. Proposers were encouraged to use the BRRFP23-1 Checklist (Appendix 4 ) to ensure complete applications are submitted. It was the Proposer’s responsibility to ensure that all required information is provided. Late submissions will not be accepted.

The current schedule for BRRFP23-1 is as follows (all times ET):

Please note that the above dates are subject to change. Notification of any changes to the RFP schedule or documents will be posted on this webpage and sent via email to those parties who have submitted contact information to NYSERDA’s Build-Ready Program Email List Sign-Up Page.

Application Submission

Step One Eligibility Application

Associated Documents

• BRRFP23-1 Request for Proposals Summary [PDF]
• Appendix 1. Step One Eligibility Application Form [XLSX]  
• Appendix 2. Step One Proposer Certification Form [PDF]
• Appendix 3. Non-Disclosure Agreement [PDF]
• Appendix 4. BRRFP23-1 Step One Proposer Checklist [PDF]
• Appendix 5. Step Two Bid Proposal Form [XLSX]  
• Appendix 6. Step Two Proposer Certification Form [PDF]
• Appendix 7. BRRFP23-1 Step Two Proposer Checklist [PDF]
• Attachment A. BRRFP23-1 Draft Standard Form REC Agreement [DOCX] 
  • Blackline of Attachment A. BRRFP23-1 Draft Standard Form REC Agreement [PDF] 
• Attachment B. BRRFP23-1 Draft Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (MIPA) [DOCX] 
  • Blackline of Attachment B. BRRFP23-1 Draft Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (MIPA) [PDF] 
• Executive Order No. 16 Certification [PDF]
• Executive Order No. 192 Certification [PDF]

Contact

[email protected]