RFQ - Professional Services for Owner’s Advisor services on an on-call basis for the Harris County Office of County Administration

Harris County is seeking a qualifying firm with the experience, capabilities, and qualified available staff to provide professional Owner’s Advisor services on an on-call basis for the Harris County Office of Sustainability (OS). The selected firm will support OS in the oversight and execution of the Harris County Affordable Community Energy (ACE) Program, which includes developing multiple community solar and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) projects on County-owned sites. The assets will be developed and delivered in tranches, with construction of the first site currently underway. Additional sites are anticipated to proceed on a continuous basis through 2029.

The selected firm will provide advisory services as needed throughout the project lifecycle. The level of effort will vary depending on program needs. Work may include design review, interconnection support, Investment Tax Credit (ITC) compliance monitoring, construction oversight, acceptance and performance testing support, risk assessment, and assistance with project documentation and turnover activities. All services will be performed on an on-call basis, and assignments will be authorized directly by the Office of Sustainability.

The County has hired two power development firms, Big Sun Solar and SunGrid Power to design, permit, procure, install, interconnect, and commission the assets. The selected firm will provide on-call professional advisory services, including design review, ITC compliance monitoring, interconnection support, construction oversight, acceptance and performance testing, turnover support, and risk management.

Owner Representation & Program Advisory

• Serve as an extension of OS staff; support owner decision-making and partner alignment.
• Assist in establishing and maintaining a formal partnering program between the County and each design-build developer.
• Support development and implementation of a project execution plan across both developer portfolios.
• Conduct periodic portfolio-level risk assessments (schedule, interconnection, ITC compliance, permitting, construction).
• Provide advisory support related to statutory and policy compliance.

Design Review, ITC Compliance, & Interconnection Support

• Review key design submittals against RFP scope, County standards, applicable codes, and ITC requirements.
• Support documentation and tracking of construction commencement and continuity to preserve federal ITC eligibility.
• Support budget validation throughout the design and construction phases.
• Assist with utility interconnection coordination, including applications, studies, easements, and infrastructure extensions.

Construction Oversight, Commissioning, & Turnover

• Provide periodic construction quality observations across both developer portfolios.
• Monitor schedule and cost progress against baselines; support OS with variance assessments.
• Support acceptance and performance testing to confirm systems meet guaranteed production levels.
• Verify delivery of Operations and Maintenance (O&M) manuals, as-built drawings, warranties, spare parts, and turnover documentation.
• Support transition planning for long-term asset management by the County.

Vendors shall submit electronically through Bonfire no later than the due date and time as stated on the Bonfire Opportunity.

No information regarding fees or prices is to be included with submitted SOQs.

In accordance with Tex. Gov’t Code § 2254.003, the evaluation and award for the services will be made on the basis of demonstrated competence and qualifications to perform the services, and for a fair and reasonable price.

The following considerations will be utilized accordingly in evaluating the qualifications (Maximum of 100 points):

• Team Qualifications & Key Personnel (35 points)
• Relevant Project Experience (35 Points)
• Approach & Work Plan (20 Points)
• Project Controls, Tools, & Reporting (10 Points)

Harris County may consider four (4) one-year renewal options, renewable one (1) year at a time, based on the same terms and conditions.

*Form 1295* must be completed in its entirety at the following website: https://ethics.state.tx.us/filinginfo/1295/ prior to submitting your response. Failure to do so may result in disqualification of your response.

Any submitted qualification and subsequent proposal shall remain valid for six (6) months after the RFQ due date or until Harris County executes a contract, whichever is sooner.