Tanana Chiefs Conference Infrastructure invites qualified and interested individuals/firms to submit proposals for the following scope of service.
Scope of Service
Housing Study
TCC is seeking a Consultant to conduct a desktop study of existing elder and patient housing units with current and projected demand, along with an inventory of current availability of housing. Current and best practices from other rural locations inside and outside of Alaska are to be used for increasing access to housing for these groups. Comparable locations will be determined based on location, rurality, and economic factors. Interviews with leaders and stakeholders from organizations that provide elder and patient housing and support services will be conducted to identify assets, critical needs, barriers, and opportunities.
Work Plan Approach
- Evaluate current housing needs for elders, patients, and other members of socially-disadvantaged groups in the TCC region.
- Propose a plan for housing solutions.
- Develop a funding strategy to implement those housing solutions.
Task 1
The Consultant will review existing data available through TCC and other organizations and agencies in the region to determine existing conditions for elder and patient housing in the region. The Consultant will establish a level of need (current and projected) for housing through a collaborative process with socially-disadvantaged groups.
Task 2
Based on Task 1, the Consultant will develop recommendations to meet the need for housing. This may include housing upgrades, purchases, leases, and partnerships with other housing programs.
Task 3
The Consultant will develop a funding strategy and matrix for implementation. This strategy is to include a minimum of three relevant grant opportunities. It will also include a preliminary evaluation of project competitiveness, likelihood of funding, match requirements, and timeline.
Community Solar
TCC is seeking a Consultant to develop strategic and business planning for a community solar project. This planning effort would provide a business plan for a community solar plan in the Fairbanks area. It would include recommendations for organizational structure and program design. This plan will focus on Interior Alaska Native households, and will also address the concerns and barriers they face.
Work Plan Approach
- Facilitate discussion(s) with TCC, community leadership, and potential partners on the vision, goals, existing plans, and roles.
- With this strategic understanding; data collection, analysis, and creation of a business plan is grounded in TCC and potential partners’ goals for the community solar initiative.
Task 1
Consultant will facilitate a business planning strategy session, providing a brief overview of adaptive business planning, including how to approach an equity-focused planning effort. During this session, TCC, potential partners, and key stakeholders will discuss the vision, goals, existing plans, and potential opportunities or challenges surrounding a community solar initiative. The outcome of this session will be documented and incorporated into the final business plan deliverable.
Task 2
With a solid grounding in strategy, the business planning effort will move to the question of how can TCC and partners carry out this strategy. This includes an investigation of financial incentives, additional technical assistance resources, regulations, and the market. All will happen alongside continued and likely expanded discussions with partners to enable development of multiple community solar scenarios.
Remote Electrical Grid Feasibility and Business Planning
TCC is seeking a Consultant for assistance in developing a business plan for remote electrical grid feasibility. This would include cost estimating and financial modeling for infrastructure development projects to strengthen remote electrical grids in Alaska. Key components would be connecting the Tok microgrid to the larger GVEA system in Delta Junction, Solar Photovoltaics (PV), renewable energy systems, paired with battery energy storage projects in Tok and other remote villages.
Work Plan Approach
- Develop projects to reduce volatility with high energy costs experienced by the socially-disadvantaged groups.
- Provide essential planning and project development to improve resilience to a currently islanded microgrid.
- Propose projects and funding strategies to expand renewable energy opportunities.
Task 1
Consultant will provide reasonable estimates of costs and benefits associated with each infrastructure project, including the Delta Junction-Tok transmission line and up to three generation projects involving solar PV and/or battery energy storage.
Task 2
Develop a financial pro forma models to inform investment decisions on each project analyzed. The pro forma project investment model will analyze net benefits, or profitability, based on reasonable estimation of certain inputs and accounting for risks and uncertainties associated with key unknowns.
Task 3
Prepare a report for each project describing the project, summarizing the assumptions and providing results of the financial pro forma analysis. The report will focus on financial impact to TCC of owning and operating the system, and key risks.
Term
Any contract awarded will be for the duration of the current fiscal year, ending on September 30, 2024. Contractor will be required to keep a detailed record of hours spent on specific tasks and submit the record with each invoice.
Selection Process
An individual or firm may be selected based on the highest scoring proposal submitted based on the criteria listed below.
General Criteria: Experience, team qualifications, resources, availability and methodology.
Final selection is planned on or November 15, 2023.