Federal institute Issues RFQ for a Microgrid Controller Platform

Aug. 14, 2015
The National Institute of Standards and Technology is seeking a microgrid controller for use in a smart grid testbed. Bids are due Aug. 26, 2015.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology is seeking a microgrid controller platform for use in a smart grid testbed.

The project will test microgrid power conditioning systems (PCS), interconnection equipment, and controllers. The microgrid laboratory will use multiple power supplies to emulate AC and DC grid and load conditions. It also will export power and information exchange to adjacent laboratories testing other interconnected smart grid devices and systems.

Researchers seek a microgrid controller that is identical to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) microgrid controller. The controller will use the PXI/cRIO Microgrid Controller Hardware Platform with controller code developed and provided to NIST by ORNL. It is necessary to duplicate both the hardware and code for the controller for the NIST/ORNL joint microgrid controller standard development effort.

The IEEE P2030.7 Standards project for microgrid controller performance was initiated by the NIST Smart Grid Interoperability Panel in collaboration ORNL and the testing for this standard is being conducted jointly between NIST and ORNL.

NIST will choose the lowest priced, technically acceptable quote.  Technical acceptability means that the quote meets or exceeds all of the stated minimum specifications. The agency will evaluate the price for reasonableness. It must be presented as a firm fixed-price and remain valid for 90 days from the date quotations are due.

The request for qualifications offers highly detailed specs for the microgrid controller platform.

Proposals are due to NIST no later than noon Eastern Standard Time on August 26, 2015. The federal institute will not accept faxed proposals, but will accept emailed offers at [email protected].

The primary contact is Ranae Armstrong, contract specialist, [email protected], 301-975-8088; secondary contact, Lynda Roark, contract specialist, [email protected], 301-975-3725

The microgrid controller platform must be delivered to:  NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Building 301 Shipping and Receiving, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1640.

The solicitation is available for download here.

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About the Author

Kevin Normandeau | Publisher

Kevin is a veteran of the publishing industry having worked for brands like PC World, AOL, Network World, Data Center Knowledge and other business to business sites. He focuses on industry trends in the energy efficiency industry.

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