FB-ASMSA-24-002 Request for Proposal - Container Farm
| Agency: | University of Arkansas at Little Rock |
|---|---|
| State: | Arkansas |
| Level of Government: | State & Local |
| Category: |
|
| Opps ID: | NBD14856169324813919 |
| Posted Date: | Apr 23, 2024 |
| Due Date: | Oct 9, 2024 |
| Source: | Members Only |
| Closing Date/Time | Information/Description | Award Letter | Award Status |
| October 9, 2024 @ 10:00 AM CST |
FB-ASMSA-24-002
Request for Proposal - Container Farm |
Pending | Pending |
Attachment Preview
Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts
200 Whittington Avenue, Hot Spring, AR 71901
(501) 622-5100
Solicitation Number:
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)
SOLICITATION INFORMATION
FB-ASMSA-24-002
Solicitation Issued:
09/21/2023
Description:
Container Farm
SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR RESPONSE
Bid Opening Date: 10/09/2023
Bid Opening Time: 11:00, AM CST
Per Arkansas Procurement Law and Bid Rules, it is the supplier’s responsibility to submit bids at the designated
location on or before the bid opening date and time. Submissions received after the designated bid opening date and time may be
rejected as untimely. Procurement Services shall return them to the supplier without review. It is not necessary to return "no
bids.”
DELIVERY OF RESPONSE DOCUMENTS
Delivery
Address:
Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts
Attn: Purchasing
200 Whittington Avenue
Hot Springs, AR 71901
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is conducting this RFP on behalf of the Arkansas School
for Mathematics, Sciences & the Arts. Vendors are responsible for delivery of their proposal
documents to the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts prior to the scheduled
time for opening of the particular RFP. When appropriate, vendors should consult with delivery
providers to determine whether the proposal documents will be delivered to the ASMSA street
address prior to the scheduled time for RFP opening. Delivery providers, USPS, UPS, and FedEx
deliver mail to our street address on a schedule determined by each individual provider. These
providers will deliver to our offices based solely on our street address.
Bid’s Outer
Packaging:
Seal the outer packaging and mark it with the following information.
Solicitation number
Date and time of bid opening
Prospective supplier's name and return address
Improperly marked packages may be opened for identification purposes.
Buyer: Desiree Taggard
UA LITTLE ROCK PROCUREMENT SERVICES CONTACT
Email: dltaggard@ualr.edu
ARKANSAS SCHOOL FOR MATHEMATICS, SCIENCES, AND THE ARTS
BID NO: RFP-ASMSA-24-002
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Page 2 of 13
Section 1 – General Information
Do not respond to items in this section unless specifically and expressly required.
1.1. Purpose
The Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts (ASMSA) is soliciting proposals from qualified and
experienced suppliers to obtain a Container Farm to be installed at ASMSA between 103 Pine Street and 115 Alumni
Lane in Hot Springs, AR 71901.
1.2. Virtual Bid Opening
Use the information below to register for access to view the proposal opening virtually, to be held at the time and date
listed on page one.
Zoom Registration Link:
https://asmsa.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUrf-6qqT0tE9QrkuVSvechRA2p0W01gWhL
Meeting ID:
916 8727 6790
Note: No award will be made at the bid opening, only the announcement of names of respondents and a preliminary
determination of proposal responsiveness. Attendance at the solicitation opening is not required
1.3. Schedule of Events
Event Description
Date
Release of RFP
September 18,2023
Bid Deadline/ Bid Opening
October 9, 2023 @ 11:00 AM CST
Evaluation complete*
October 2023
Award Commences*
Table A
*Anticipated Dates.
November 2023
1.4. Type of Contract
As a result of this RFP, ASMSA intends to award a contract to a single supplier. By submitting a signed proposal in
response to this RFP, the prospective supplier represents and warrants that they will honor their proposal as being held
open and irrevocable after this period.
1.4.1. The anticipated installation completion date for any resulting contract is May 2024. The school may adjust
the contract start date for up to three calendar months.
1.5. Technical Response Packet
1.5.1. Printed responses should be formatted no larger than 8.5in x 11in, limited to 10 double-sided pages,
fully recyclable (i.e., no plastic covers, plastic tabs, etc.), and bound with glue, staples, or thread (i.e.,
perfect bound, saddle stitching, etc.). Metal or plastic coil binding is not allowed.
1.5.2. Responses must be submitted in the English language.
1.5.3. The Technical Response Packet should be marked “Original” and include the following:
● Signed Proposal Signature Page
● Signed Proposed Subcontractors Form, if applicable
● Exceptions Page, if applicable
● Response to the Information for Evaluation.
○ Responses to the Information for Evaluation and Exceptions sections must not contain the
prospective supplier’s name or any other identifiers, including, without limitation, names
of staff members, projects, and addresses.
● Other documents and information expressly required in this solicitation.
ARKANSAS SCHOOL FOR MATHEMATICS, SCIENCES, AND THE ARTS
BID NO: RFP-ASMSA-24-002
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Page 3 of 13
The following items, which must be submitted before a contract award to the prospective supplier, may also
be included with the prospective supplier’s proposal.
1. EO 98-04: Contract and Grant Disclosure Form
2. Copy of prospective supplier’s Equal Opportunity Policy
3. Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT), if applicable.
1.6. Financial Proposal Packet
1.6.1. The Financial Proposal Packet, including the hard copy and electronic copy, must be submitted
separately from the Technical Proposal Packet and should be clearly marked.
1.6.2. All pricing must be proposed in U.S. dollars and cents.
1.6.3. Failure to submit Financial Proposal Packet in a separate, clearly marked, and sealed envelope may result in
disqualification.
1.7. Additional Submission Requirements and Recommendations
1.7.1. In addition to the original Technical Proposal Packet and the Financial Proposal Packet, the
following items should be submitted:
● One (1) complete hard copy (marked "COPY") of the Technical Proposal Packet.
● One (1) PDF copy of the Technical Proposal Packet on a flash drive.
● One (1) PDF copy of the Financial Proposal Packet on a flash drive.
● If the school requests additional copies, they must be delivered within twenty-four (24) hours of the
request.
○ All additional copies must be identical to the original hard copy. In case of a
discrepancy, the original hard copy shall govern.
● One (1) redacted (marked “REDACTED”) copy of the original Technical Proposal Packet,
preferably on a flash drive. (See Proprietary Information in Standard Terms and Conditions.)
Do not include any other documents or ancillary information, such as a cover letter or promotional/marketing
information.
ARKANSAS SCHOOL FOR MATHEMATICS, SCIENCES, AND THE ARTS
BID NO: RFP-ASMSA-24-002
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Page 4 of 13
Section 2 - Specifications
Do not provide responses to items in this section unless specifically and expressly required.
2.1. Introduction and Background
The Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts is soliciting proposals from qualified and experienced
suppliers for a Hydroponic Container Farm.
2.2. Product Requirements
•
The following description of requirements should be considered the minimum functionality required.
Respondents should submit a detailed description of all the possible functions of the equipment and software,
even if they exceed the following descriptions.
2.3. General Equipment Requirements & Specifications
2.3.1.
Technical Architecture
●
Describe the technical architecture of the proposed system, including the recommended hardware and
software environment for the unit. Include such information as growing rack size, growing process and
procedures, lighting equipment and functionality, nutrient solution descriptions, water tank maintenance, and
general maintenance of the equipment/units. A high‐level illustration of the work-flow schema for the
proposed system should also be provided.
2.3.2. Security
●
Describe security features of the proposed system to mitigate theft and/or vandalism to the equipment.
2.3.3. Interface Capabilities
●
Describe the proposed software’s methods for interfacing with other information systems and limitations such
as the Microsoft Office 365 suite (Sharepoint, Onedrive, Onenote, Excel, Word, etc.).
2.3.4.
Hardware Specifications
●
Provide the recommended spacing requirements for proper functionality of the said equipment to operate as a
system and any other recommended hardware peripheral. Detail the number of people required to operate, the
number of labor hours per week, total production capacity, energy consumption, water consumption, fertilizer
and other consumables consumption rate, and finally the total cost to operate.
2.3.5.
Server Software Specification
●
Provide the recommended system software configuration required to operate the proposed software.
Specifications should include product name and version/service pack requirements for:
○
Operating system
○
Database management system
○
Reporting tools
○
Networking software
○
Any other required or recommended server software
2.4. General Hydroponic Equipment Requirements & Specifications
2.4.1.
Hydroponic Equipment Hardware Specifications
●
Provide both the recommended configuration and the minimum supported configuration for proposed
hardware to:
○
Enable fresh food production under any external weather conditions
ARKANSAS SCHOOL FOR MATHEMATICS, SCIENCES, AND THE ARTS
BID NO: RFP-ASMSA-24-002
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Page 5 of 13
○
Climate control system to regulate temperature, ph levels, nutrient levels, and humidity
○
Allow for the most efficient use of space
○
Allow for the ability to scale up or scale down as needed
○
Grow a wide variety of leafy greens, herbs, fruits and flowers
○
Be practical to be installed in or near a school cafeteria building
○
Provide the proper light wavelengths for optimum plant growth
○
Produce enough vegetables to outweigh the equipment costs in a short amount of time
○
Be able to recycle the water to minimize input and maintain a clean environment
○
Be intuitive enough to allow students with no prior farming experience to operate with minimal
training and oversight.
2.4.2.
Hydroponic Equipment Software Specifications
●
Provide the recommended software configuration (if applicable) to support the proposed solution for hardware
to be used at maximum growing capacity. Also, identify any other software products or versions supported.
Specifications should include product name(s) and version(s)/service(s) packs supported for the following as
applicable:
○
Ability to monitor and regulate temperature, ph levels, CO2 levels, and humidity
○
Ability to track the sensors from remote location
○
Ability to inform the operator when a component is in need of attention
○
Ability to track multiple systems from one interface
○
Ability to track the same system form multiple interfaces
○
Offer option to export to CSV, XML, or Excel file of data
●
The system must communicate daily with the operator in a way that is seamless to the end user. The
equipment must be able to operate if network connectivity is lost at any time. Appropriate hardware should be
identified to provide uninterrupted service in the event of a network outage.
●
Describe your policy on software releases including frequency, year‐end updates, requirements for system
software upgrades, and process for determining what enhancements are included in which release. Provide
any costs required to obtain the updates.
2.5. General Growing/Harvesting Requirements & Specifications
2.5.1. Proposals should provide a detailed workflow of the hydroponic growing and harvesting system. Proposals should
also address the relationship between the physical growing and the software interface. Respondent shall clearly
address how:
●
System is set up initially to meet the aforementioned specifications in section 2.2
●
Seeds are started to begin growing process
●
Seedlings are transplanted (if applicable) to allow for full maturity
●
Crops are tended to
●
Crops are fertilized and watered
●
Succession plantings are scheduled to maximize harvest in the space available
●
Harvest is performed to meet the USDA GAP Harmonized Food Safety standards
●
Data is uploaded and manipulated to meet our needs
●
Equipment maintenance and cleaning is performed (growing racks/towers/shelves, lighting, irrigation lines
and tanks, coolant [if applicable], etc.)
2.6. Additional Services
2.6.1. Please indicate a comprehensive list and detailed description with available reports of all additional modules that your
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