Cohasset subcommittee advances RFP to install solar arrays at Deer Hill and Osgood schools

The Cohasset Alternative Energy Subcommittee on April 16 approved a procurement plan to issue a restricted Request for Proposals to select a contractor to design and install solar arrays at Deer Hill and Osgood schools, aiming to begin contract negotiations in mid‑June and have a final contract by June 26, 2026.

Chair Tanya Bodell said the subcommittee will limit the RFP scope to the two school properties and pursue a 25‑year lease or power‑purchase agreement, and the School Committee the previous evening agreed to proceed with the procurement and to designate a schools’ representative for the RFP evaluation committee.

In a detailed review led by Procurement officer Lisa McGonigle, the subcommittee set submission and evaluation procedures intended to preserve an impartial technical review. The town will require one hard copy of proposals (separated into technical and financial sections) and two separate thumb drives — one with the technical proposal and one with the financial proposal — to enable a price‑blind evaluation of technical merit. The RFP will also require a $10,000 refundable bid deposit, insurance limits of $2 million per occurrence and $4 million aggregate, and liquidated‑damage provisions for project delays exceeding 24 months, calculated to approximate the town’s lost net credit or savings.

The committee adopted a timeline designed to meet the July 4 goal: the RFP will be issued April 17; a site visit is scheduled for the week of April 27; bidder questions are due May 4 with town responses by May 11; proposals are due May 26; initial evaluations should be complete by June 2; interviews are planned the week of June 8; the subcommittee intends to select a contractor for negotiations the week of June 15 with an anticipated contract award the week of June 22 and a final contract by June 26, 2026.

Town Planner Cassandra Thayer reported she is coordinating with National Grid contacts and outside specialists to post two years of utility invoices for both schools to assist bidders. Thayer and McGonigle also agreed to replace the 2020 RFP link on the town website with the 2026 materials to prevent bidder confusion. Doran Hole said he will provide a list of operating solar companies and contact information to Procurement for RFP distribution.

Members agreed to continue weekly subcommittee meetings to oversee site‑visit logistics and finalize evaluation committee appointments; Chair Bodell said she would contact the Advisory Committee, Select Board, and Capital Planning Committee to request liaisons to serve on the evaluation panel. The subcommittee adjourned following a procedural vote.