San Diego Community Power details RFP 25-009 deadlines, submission rules and Q&A process

San Diego Community Power (SDCP) outlined deadlines, formatting rules and communications protocols for RFP No. 25‑009 during a preproposal webinar, emphasizing that questions and any changes will be handled through the published Q&A and formal addenda. Crystal Carranza, procurement analyst for SDCP, said participating firms must accept the RFP terms and follow the stated submission process.

The RFP covers two separate categories of work and SDCP said submissions for each category must be uploaded through separate submission forms on SDCP’s website. Carranza said, “Proposals will not be accepted via email or any other method,” and that each category requires a separate, single combined PDF formatted in Calibri 12, single spaced, with 1‑inch margins and documents ordered as listed in the RFP.

The RFP’s Q&A and addendum schedule is central to the procurement. SDCP set the written question deadline at July 24 at 9 a.m., said Carranza, and intends to publish final Q&A responses by July 31. SDCP warned proposers to check the solicitation web page for any addenda before submitting proposals.

SDCP gave different due dates for the two categories: proposals for Category A (load forecasting) are due Aug. 7 at 5 p.m.; proposals for Category B (scheduling coordinator and related services) are due Aug. 14 at 5 p.m. Carranza said SDCP plans to reserve Aug. 26–29 for interviews and will invite short‑listed proposers to schedule interviews on those dates.

The procurement analyst highlighted required attachments and format constraints. Attachments C through F are required with each submission. Attachment C is the submission checklist. Carranza said proposers should include a cover letter, qualifications, proposed approach, budgets, resumes, references (Attachment E) and any bonus‑point documentation in the order specified in the RFP.

SDCP described a bonus‑point program for local and small businesses. Proposers may claim up to two of four criteria — San Diego County employment, disabled veteran business enterprise (DVBE), persons with disabilities business enterprises, and small business certification — for a maximum of 10 bonus points. Carranza said the disclosures are used for reporting to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and not as a demographic selection factor in the evaluation.

Regarding contractual exceptions, Carranza urged providers to review the sample professional services agreement posted with the RFP and to list any exceptions in their proposal. She cautioned that extensive exceptions may lead to rejection: "If you are not submitting exceptions, we do assume that you are certifying that you're not taking any exceptions to the agreement." She also noted a pending addendum for Category B that, if issued, could change requirements for that category.

SDCP stressed communication controls to preserve a fair process. Carranza said questions must be submitted via the RFP’s Q&A link and cautioned, "If it is discovered that a proposer contacts and receives information from SDCP personnel, board director or alternate outside of this Q&A process, SDCP may disqualify the proposer." She advised proposers to use the published procurement email only for technical submission issues.

The evaluation process will include a responsiveness check, scoring by an evaluation panel and interviews for shortlisted proposers. SDCP will issue notices of intent to award and invite selected proposers to negotiate; proposers not advancing will receive notification.

Proposers should verify Q&A postings and any addenda on SDCP’s website before finalizing submissions; SDCP emphasized that only the official RFP document and formal addenda control requirements and timelines.