April 14, 2008

Emailed to all potential Offerors

Subject: **Request For Proposal (RFP) Number 041408**

**Proposal Due: May 14, 2008**

The University of California, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
(hereinafter called \"University\") requests a proposal to assess
current and historical electrical congestion in support of the 2009 DOE
Congestion Study in accordance with this Request For Proposal (RFP) and
the enclosed sample Subcontract. Proposals shall be valid for at least
120 days after the due date. The University expects to award a
subcontract by July 1, 2008.

Acceptance of late proposals will be at the sole discretion of the
University. The University reserves the right to reject any and all
proposals, to waive any minor irregularities in any proposal, or to
cancel this RFP at any time prior to award without cost to the
University. This RFP does not include provisions for the direct
reimbursement of proposal preparation costs.

The University Procurement Specialist is Sue Walker-Lam and may be
reached by telephone at (510) 486-6687, by fax at (510) 486-5719 or by
email at swalker-lam@lbl.gov.

The University of California manages the Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory and conducts Laboratory business under Laboratory Procurement
Policies and Procedures consistent with the Prime Contract between the
University and the United States Government, represented by the
Department of Energy (hereinafter called "DOE").

# NAICS CODE AND SIZE STANDARD

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code for this
acquisition is 541690; Other Scientific and Technical Consulting
Services. The small business size standard for this NAICS Code is
revenue of \$6.5 million dollars a year or less.

Proposal Contents

Minimum Requirements

The Offeror's proposal shall discuss and demonstrate its ability to meet
or exceed each of the requirements identified in specification entitled
"Statement of Work for Eastern Congestion Assessment dated 03-14-08."

Performance Features, Supplier Attributes and Affordability

The Offeror's proposal should identify and discuss the performance
features and supplier attributes that will be important to the
Offeror\'s successful performance and the attainment of the
University\'s objectives. The University has identified the performance
features and supplier attributes listed below, which should be discussed
in the proposal. The Offeror may identify and discuss other performance
features and supplier attributes it believes may be of value to the
University. If the University agrees, consideration may be given to them
in the evaluation process. In all cases, the University will assess the
value of each proposal as submitted. Affordability is the University\'s
assessment of the price relative to the perceived value offered in the
proposal.

Performance Features

**Feasibility**

-   The technical submissions should provide a detailed description of
    the proposed program plan that clearly identifies the objectives,
    goals and anticipated outcome of the research. Proposals that do not
    clearly address these requirements, or propose research on topics
    unrelated to non­aqueous electrolytes, will be rejected. Proposed
    research to characterize the properties of existing electrolytes
    under typical operating or abuse conditions is not encouraged.

-   The Offeror should describe its approach to meeting or exceeding
    these requirements and the likelihood of success. The Offeror should
    also describe whether this approach is innovative or conventional in
    nature and which, in its opinion, would be most beneficial for the
    project.

**Applicability**

-   Does the approach comply with the requirements of the Specification?

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-   Will the approach to the work succeed in meeting the University\'s
    objectives?

-   The approach taken is innovative and technically sound.

-   The approach taken is feasible to implement (e.g. pre-existing
    access to data; strategies for obtaining remaining data; adequate
    time allotted to retrieve data.)

Is the approach taken novel and based on sound science?

Supplier Attributes

**Capability**

The University is interested in a project team that will be responsive
to inquiries throughout the research process and is committed to
responding to the following criteria:

-   How well does the experience and educational background of key
    personnel match up with the approach and the significant elements of
    work required to successfully accomplish the approach?

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-   What are the firm\'s proven capabilities in this field of endeavor?

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-   Factoring in your firm\'s past experience on similar projects and/or
    working with Federal, State and Local government agencies, elaborate
    on how you plan to meet the requirements of the Statement of Work.

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-   Discuss your firm\'s business. Include such topics as the primary
    business of your company, how long you\'ve been in business and at
    your current location(s), organization including key personnel and
    support staff, financial condition, short history of sales and
    possible future plans. Include your firm\'s D-U-N-S number.

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-   Does the team have adequate facilities to perform the work?

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-   The Offeror shall provide a written description of projects similar
    in type and complexity as this project which the Offeror has
    completed recently. These may include public and private contracts.
    Include technical and business contact points by name, title,
    address, telephone number and, if available, email address. The
    Offeror will also identify, and provide resumes for key personnel
    who will perform the work.

**Affordability** (Proposed Price)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory will evaluate the proposed pricing
as taking into account the following elements:

-   Price reasonableness is in relation to the approach.

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-   Is the Offeror\'s proposal affordable in relation to the budget?

The price proposal shall include a total estimated price for the work.
In order to help establish price realism, the estimate shall be
supported by the following information:

-   The totally burdened labor rate(s), the proposed hours and the
    extended price for each labor category that will be used in
    performing work under the resulting Subcontract. Specify current
    rates and escalation factors used.

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-   Travel costs (itemize).

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-   Materials, subcontracts and services (itemize).

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-   Other miscellaneous costs (itemize).

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-   Total Estimated Price

Acceptance of Terms & Conditions

Submission of a proposal shall indicate the Offeror\'s willingness to
accept the terms and conditions of the sample Subcontract and its
attachments. These terms and conditions have been approved by the DOE.
Changing them may be time consuming. Failure to accept the terms and
conditions may result in significant, unacceptable delays in award of a
Subcontract, which could cause the University to reject an Offerors
proposal.

Evaluation and selection

**Basis for Award**

The University expects to make **one Subcontract award** to the Offeror
whose proposals contain the combination of factors offering the **best
overall value** to the University. The University\'s total overall
budget will not exceed \$400,000.00 for Tasks 1-3 . The University will
determine the best overall value by comparing the difference in the
value offered by the proposals received with the difference in the
overall probable cost proposed by the Offerors. The University will
strike the most advantageous balance between expected performance and
overall probable cost. The University may award to the Offerors whose
proposals are determined to have the best overall value compared to
proposals with a lower overall probable cost. Conversely, the University
may award to the Offeror whose proposal is judged to have the best
overall value compared to proposals with a higher overall probable cost.

The University will evaluate each proposal within the framework of four
major characteristics: feasibility, applicability, capability and
affordability. With this approach the University will determine the most
advantageous balance between a proposal\'s relative value and the
expected results embodied in the proposal. Each Offeror must, therefore,
be persuasive in describing the experience of its firm and its key
personnel, how its approach will meet the University\'s requirements and
the technical capabilities of the firm.

The University\'s selection may be made on the basis of the initial
proposals or the University may elect to request revised proposals from
any or all Offerors. The University reserves the right to reject any or
all proposals, to negotiate with any Offerors, to waive any minor
irregularities in any proposal, and to cancel this RFP at any time prior
to award without cost to the University.

Proposal instructions

Offerors\' Questions

The University will respond to questions submitted in writing via email
to the University Procurement Specialist within two weeks of receiving
the RFP, or April 28, 2008. Questions submitted after this date may or
may not be answered. Questions shall only be submitted by email. Answers
to questions that are germane to the interpretation of the University's
requirements will be issued to all Offerors in writing, by email,
ensuring the identity of all offerors will remain anonymous. Please
direct questions to <CongestionRFP@lbl.gov>.

**Proposal Formats**

The proposals should be submitted using the following categories**:**

This RFP consists of three core tasks, along with two additional tasks
which may be funded at later date. Proposals must address and provide
separate budgets for all five tasks. Proposals are limited to a total of
15 single-spaced pages using 12 point font with 1 inch margins on all
sides. This page limit does not apply to resumes, supporting billing
rates and cost information, samples from relevant completed studies, and
other supporting technical documents, which may be included as separate
attachments to the main proposal.

Deadline for Submitting Proposals

Proposals are due to the University Procurement Specialist on 05/14/08,
no later than 4:00 p.m., Pacific Time. Acceptance of late proposals will
be at the sole discretion of the University.

**Submittal Addresses**

The Offeror shall deliver or mail the proposal to the following address:

**Address for Email**

It is our preference to receive proposals via email using Word, PDF or
RTF formats.

The Offeror shall send email to swalker-lam@lbl.gov

+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------+
| #### Address                        | ####                           |
| for Commercial Courier and Mailing  |                                |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------+
| University of California            |                                |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------+
| Lawrence Berkeley National          |                                |
| Laboratory                          |                                |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------+
| Attention: Sue Walker-Lam           |                                |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------+
| Mail Stop MS 90R3027D               |                                |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------+
| RFP: 041308                         |                                |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------+
| 1 Cyclotron Road                    |                                |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------+
| Berkeley, CA 94720                  |                                |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------+

Proprietary Data

The University prefers not to receive proprietary data. If proprietary
data is included in a proposal, it must be marked \"Proprietary.\" The
University will exercise reasonable effort to avoid disclosure of
proprietary data.

Enclosures

The following enclosures are provided and need not be returned with the
proposal:

-   Sample Subcontract

-   Statement of Work for Eastern Congestion Assessment dated 03-14-08.

-   General Provisions

The Offeror shall complete the following enclosures and submit them with
the proposal:

-   Representations and Certifications

Sincerely,

Sue Walker-Lam

University Procurement Specialist

Enclosures: As Noted