May 28, 2014

Request for Quote for a Study on the Feasibility of Building a Net Zero Layer Barn in Alberta

Background

Egg Farmers of Alberta (EFA) is collaborating with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) on a project that aims to research, design and assist in the construction of an egg facility in Alberta that is balanced in terms of its energy inputs and outputs. Over a given year, the facility will strive to produce enough power through renewable systems to offset power supplied to it by conventional fossil fuels. By leveraging funding, interests, and technical expertise, this process will advance Alberta’s capacity for sustainable agriculture and long-term competitive market advantage. Information about the design, new technologies, and management of the facility will be extended to the rest of the industry through various extension means such as news articles, web cameras, tours, and presentations. The first stage in the project is the completion of a feasibility assessment.

About Egg Farmers of Alberta

EFA is a not-for-profit organization, incorporated in 1968 for the purpose of providing effective promotion, control and regulation of the marketing of eggs in Alberta. Producers with egg production operate under the provincial Marketing of Agricultural Products Act, the Alberta Egg Producers Plan Regulation and the Alberta Egg and Marketing Regulation. EFA represents over 150 registered egg producers in Alberta. EFA exists so that there will be an environment in which egg farmers in Alberta can thrive within the Canadian industry at a cost that demonstrates good stewardship of resources.

About Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development’s Growing Forward 2 (GF2)

GF2 provides programs and services to achieve a profitable, sustainable, competitive and innovative agriculture, agri-food and agri-products industry that is market-responsive, and that anticipates and adapts to changing circumstances and is a major contributor to the well-being of Canadians. A grant has been awarded to Egg Farmers of Alberta, Alberta Milk, and Alberta Pork to assist in the research, design, and construction of energy net zero barns for each respective sector in Alberta.

Project Objectives and Deliverables

The feasibility of a net-zero energy facility will be assessed, including:

  1. An analysis of conventionally constructed layer barns and their energy requirements (partial information currently available from EFA Life Cycle Analysis and ARD energy audits).
  2. A summary of what is currently implemented in Alberta and around the world in terms of net-zero design. Summary to include technologies, efficiency measures, and the potential to lower the energy requirements of a layer barn in Alberta conditions:
    a. Building envelope
    b. Heat recovery ventilation
    c. Natural ventilation
    d. Natural and energy efficient lighting
    e. Energy management and control systems
    f. Others
  3. A summary of renewable energy systems and their potential to meet the energy requirements of a layer barn in Alberta:
    a. Solar photovoltaic
    b. Solar thermal
    c. Wind power
    d. Ground source heat pump
    e. Anaerobic digestion
    f. Biomass combustion
    g. Others.
  4. A discussion on the criteria needed to be able to claim net-zero energy.
  5. Establishing system boundaries defining the energy balance.

The feasibility assessment should propose various options for energy savings, energy costs, and amount of energy saved as well as capital costs. The analysis should consider interactions between systems to provide discussion and recommendations on best approaches. A time frame for achieving net balance between energy in and energy out should be considered and discussed.

The proposed options should conform to all appropriate codes and standards for agricultural buildings in Alberta, animal welfare, and biosecurity.

The deliverable will be a final written report with an in-person presentation. The vendor will be encouraged to present a design strategy that comes as close as possible to achieving a net balance between energy in and energy out by incorporating various efficiency measures and renewable energy systems. The balance and interaction among systems will be described, to show what combinations of approaches are feasible. Various options and their pros/cons should be presented.

Other Requirements

  1. The vendor agrees to meet with the project team to gather industry and producer input.
  2. The vendor agrees to visit a minimum of three recently built layer barns.
  3. During the project, the vendor will be introduced to a producer selected to receive funds for the construction of the facility, and agrees to consider the producer’s specific circumstance

Budget

The cost of the feasibility study should not exceed $30,000.

Timelines

A vendor will be selected by June 30, 2014 and work should be completed by September 30, 2014.

Quote Format

To receive full consideration, the quote should:

  • Provide evidence of relevant experience of the lead consultant(s) and all anticipated sub- contractors that will perform work on this review and analysis and provide examples of relevant work;
  • Provide a detailed description of methods, processes and timelines for completing the project deliverables
  • Provide a detailed cost proposal representing all service fees for each deliverable including hourly rate(s) and reimbursable expenses, etc.

Quote Submission

Submit a paper or electronic copy of the quote to the address below by no later than 4:00 pm, June 13th, 2014:
Jenna Griffin
Industry Development Officer
Egg Farmers of Alberta
#101, 90 Freeport Blvd NE
Calgary, Alberta T3J 5J9
Telephone: (403) 250-1197 x. 129
E-mail: [email protected]

If the Vendor wishes to include any other material not specifically requested by this request for quote, it may do so by including additional appendices to the quote.

Quote Evaluation

Proposals will be evaluated on their fulfillment of the proposal requirements. The selection process will be conducted by ARD and EFA. Vendors will be notified of a decision on or before June 30, 2014.
The following criteria will be used to evaluate each submitted quote:

  • Qualifications and/or experience of the individuals directly working on the project;
  • Qualifications and experience of the Vendor company or organization, demonstrated experience undertaking projects of a comparable size and scope;
  • The methodology, processes and timelines proposed for completing the project; and
  • Demonstration of detailed distribution of budget and staff resources to achieve work deliverables and demonstration of value for deliverables.