Renovation of an educational facility in Albany, New York. Completed plans call for the renovation of a educational facility.

1. Introduction The State University of New York (SUNY) seeks to gather information from respondents regarding innovative energy performance contracting solutions, implementable within the confines of existing State and Local laws and regulations, to reduce carbon emissions by improving energy efficiency, implementing building decarbonization and electrification strategies, and transitioning to renewable energy sources both at the SUNY System level as well as on SUNY campuses. The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to acquire information regarding possible options and solutions available that can assist SUNY in achieving these critical goals. SUNY will use the information received from this RFI to consider and review the available options regarding potential future contracting strategies. Respondents interested in participating in any possible future opportunities are encouraged to respond to this RFI and are also encouraged to sign up for the New York State Contract Reporter, New York's official publication of state procurement activity, available at website. SUNY serves over 367,000 students across 64 campuses throughout New York State that include over 2,800 buildings and 111 million square feet of conditioned space. Sustainability is integral to SUNY's mission as set forth in its draft Climate and Sustainability Action Plan. Of SUNY's campuses, there are 29 State-operated campuses that are required to meet New York State carbon emission reduction goals under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019 (CLCPA) and Executive Order 22 of 2022 (EO22). For those campuses, SUNY has completed, or is in the process of completing, Clean Energy Master Plans setting out alternatives and preliminary budgets for phasing out the use of fossil fuels for heating, cooling, and lighting buildings to meet the goals of reducing carbon emissions by 85% by 2045 compared to 1990 levels. SUNY is also committed to reducing carbon emissions at its Community and Statutory Colleges. SUNY is actively exploring innovative solutions to improve energy efficiency, implement decarbonization strategies, and transition to renewable energy sources consistent with those Clean Energy Master Plans, CLCPA and EO22 goals, the SUNY Climate and Sustainability Action Plan, and existing legal authorities under New York Energy Law and other provisions. 2. Objectives The objectives of this RFI are to: o Develop a general understanding of current respondent demographics, experience, and capabilities regarding innovative and implementable energy performance contracting solutions to reduce carbon emissions by improving energy efficiency, implementing building decarbonization strategies, and transitioning to renewable energy sources. o Solicit respondent perspective on the future direction for implementing innovative energy performance contracting solutions. Obtain respondent feedback on working with SUNY and possibly other public and private sector customers and possible operating models, leading practices, and funding and pricing structures in connection with innovative energy performance contracting solutions to reduce carbon emissions by improving energy efficiency, implementing building decarbonization strategies, and transitioning to renewable energy. o Gather information on available services, technologies, business models, and financing options that support building and campus-level decarbonization efforts. o Understand best practices and successful case studies from other institutions. o Explore potential models that transfer project delivery, performance, and financing risks to respondents, structured as monthly or regular payments by SUNY that would not result in such payments being considered to be a debt of the State and / or the debt of a sponsor or sponsors of a Community College. o Upon receipt and review of information received, the SUNY will determine whether and how to proceed. Submittal of an RFI is not a condition for future consideration as a potential provider of the services contemplated herein. Consequently, it is understood and agreed that no obligation or commitment is made by SUNY to any respondent submitting a response to this RFI. 3. Scope of Request Respondents responding to this RFI should provide information related to: o Strategies for integrating renewable energy sources at the building and campus level that are aligned with and build Clean Energy Master Plans. o Qualifications and approaches for providing comprehensive energy audits, investmentgrade audits, emissions analyses, and other required documentation. o Business and financial models, including performance-based financing, energy-as-aservice, or other arrangements that can involve contracts up to 35 years in length and qualify for federal and state incentives while being implementable under existing State and Local laws, rules, and regulations. o Measurement and verification processes for energy savings and emissions reductions. o Maintenance and support services. o Case studies of previous successful projects in educational or similar institutions. 4. Content of Response A respondent's response to this RFI does not bind or obligate the responder or SUNY to any agreement of provision or procurement of products and/or services referenced herein. No contract can or will be awarded based on responses to this RFI. Since this RFI is designed as a tool to collect information and will not result in a procurement contract, it does not fall under the requirements of State Finance Law Sections 139-j and 139-k (the Procurement Lobbying Law) and, accordingly, there is no restricted period. However, responses must be directed in writing to the email address listed below and phone calls will not be accepted. If any of the information in the respondent response is considered confidential, proprietary or a trade secret, it must be clearly indicated on the appropriate page of the respondent response. Release of such materials is governed by the NYS Freedom of Information Law, which in pertinent part requires the respondent to provide specific justification as to why disclosure of particular information in the response would cause substantial injury to the competitive position of the respondent. 5. Respondent Qualifications Respondents should possess: o Relevant experience in energy performance contracting and decarbonization efforts. o A proven track record of successful projects in educational or similar institutions. o Experience or familiarity with Clean Energy Master Plans, federal, state, and utility programs, and existing authorization under New York Energy Law, Government Accounting Standards Board rules, and other relevant authorities. o Certifications and licenses pertinent to energy efficiency, decarbonization, and contracting. 6. Submission Guidelines Interested respondents should submit the following information, in no more than 15 pages: o Company profile, including years in business and relevant experience. o Contact information for a primary representative. o Overview of services offered related to energy performance contracting and decarbonization. o Examples of previous projects with similar institutions, including performance outcomes and emissions reductions. o Information on the available project delivery and financing models, including any longterm contract options and structures, and leveraging federal, state, and utility grants, rebates, and tax credits while being implementable within current State and Local laws, rules, and regulations. o Suggested elements and information that could be included in a potential Request for Proposals for the energy performance contracting solutions contemplated in this RFI. o Respondents are requested to provide information on the available models and structures, including pricing structures, of any potential competitive procurement contract with SUNY and other substantive terms and conditions that they believe are necessary for any such contract. Respondents are requested to explain the pros and cons of each available model and structure. o Respondents are requested to provide information identifying the respondent's preferred model and structure and a detailed explanation as to the reasoning therefor. o All communications regarding this RFI should be made through the Designated Contact. o This RFI, and any documents submitted in response thereto, do not constitute and will not give rise to any legally binding obligation on the part of SUNY. SUNY reserves the right to proceed in any matter it, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate. o SUNY shall not take any responsibility for any costs or expenses incurred by any respondent related to the preparation of one or more responses in response to this RFI. SUNY reserves the right to request clarification without any responsibility for any costs incurred. o Every respondent agrees not to use the name or logo of SUNY in any public announcement without obtaining the prior written consent of SUNY. 7. RFI Timeline o RFI Issue Date: November 22, 2024. o Presentation on SUNY clean energy needs, including the Clean Energy Master Plans, for all potential respondents: December 18, 2024 8. Presentations SUNY reserves the right to request RFI respondents to individually present supplemental information clarifying their responses, either in writing or in an individual presentation. 9. Designated Contact Information Please submit questions regarding this RFI to Nick Marini, SUNY Procurement, at nicholas.marini@suny.edu. 10. Disclaimer This RFI does not constitute a commitment to contract or award funding. SUNY reserves the right to modify or cancel this RFI at any time.