ANNOUNCEMENT
The Washington State Conservation Commission (SCC) is in the process of developing a Request for Proposals for development of anaerobic digesters at dairies and is requesting information from the vendor community.
BACKGROUND
SCC received one-time funding in the 2023-25 state budget to fund dairy anaerobic digester development. Wording from the proviso is as follows:
“The commission may grant up to $22,000,000 toward cost-share agreements for anaerobic digester development to dairy farm owners. Grants awarded for anaerobic digester development must have at least a 50 percent nonstate match and be awarded through a competitive process that considers:
(A) The amount of greenhouse gas reduction that will be achieved by the proposal; and
(B) The amount of untreated effluent that will be decreased.”
Dairy producers who have expressed an interest in anaerobic digester development will be the primary applicants for this funding. They will be required to identify a company responsible for project design and installation and identify the entity responsible for ongoing operation and maintenance (O&M). This Request for Information (RFI) is intended to gather relevant information needed for SCC to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP).
The information gathered in this RFI will play a crucial role in understanding typical costs, time-frames, and other aspects of dairy anaerobic digester projects. SCC seeks responses to this RFI from companies with experience installing anaerobic digesters in the U.S.
QUESTIONS
Responses to this RFI should be submitted electronically no later than, November 20, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. Responses can be submitted by filling out this Word document and emailing it to Nboyes@scc.wa.gov or submitting responses through this form.
- Company name (optional):
- County or counties where your company operates (optional):
- Please describe the type(s) of dairy anaerobic digesters your company has installed and how many years of experience you have with the design, installation, and/or operation and maintenance of each type.
- Does your company typically take responsibility for ongoing operations and maintenance or offer these services for dairy anaerobic digesters it installs through an agreement with the dairy producer? If not, who is primarily responsible for operation and maintenance of digesters you install? Please explain.
- Please estimate the total capital costs, costs associated with engineering, and costs associated with permitting for a sample dairy digester system in each of the categories that your company installs. Include the number of cows, type of feedstocks, and any other relevant assumptions for your sample anaerobic digesters system.
- Please estimate the operation and maintenance costs (providing a range) for the first year of anaerobic digester operations.
- For dairy digester projects that your company has installed, what has been the typical timeline, including the major steps from the beginning of the process to digester operation? Clarify any differences based on dairy size, feedstock type, or other relevant parameters. Please describe any challenges encountered with design, permitting, installation, maintenance and/or operation.
- Have you had experience installing covered lagoon-style anaerobic digesters? If so, in what state did the installation occur and how well did they work? What was the end use for the biogas captured? Please describe any challenges encountered with design, permitting, installation, maintenance and/or operation.
- What are the primary challenges you have encountered with anaerobic digester projects?
- Please list the types of permits typically needed for the anaerobic digester projects you have completed.
- What do you see as key research or demonstration needs related to dairy anaerobic digesters in Washington?
- Please provide any information you believe is relevant for SCC to know.
- Where did you learn of this RFI opportunity? WEBS, Agency website, or other?
RFI PROCESS
Responses to this RFI should be submitted electronically no later than November 20, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. Responses can be submitted by filling out this Word document and emailing it to Nboyes@scc.wa.gov or submitting responses through this form.
A response to this RFI is not a mandatory requirement for participation in any subsequent solicitations released by SCC. The results of this RFI may be used in the development of future solicitations. All vendor communications concerning this RFI must be directed to the RFI Coordinator.
Nicole Boyes
RFI Coordinator
Washington State Conservation Commission
564-669-3149
PUBLIC RECORDS
The vendor acknowledges that state agencies are subject to Chapter 42.56 RCW, the Public Disclosure Act. Vendor responses to this RFI will become public record as defined in the RCW. For the purposes of this RFI no information considered confidential or proprietary should be included.
NO OBLIGATION TO CONTRACT
Release of this RFI in no way obligates SCC to award a contract.
TO SUMMARIZE
SCC appreciates your thoughts and input and would welcome any additional thoughts and comments related to this topic.
Please see the full RFI here.