Ava Community Energy / San José Clean Energy 2026 Long-Term Resource Request for Offers

Ava Community Energy (Ava) and San Jose Clean Energy (SJCE) are conducting a competitive Request for Offers (RFO) for the sale and purchase of renewable or low carbon energy and/or energy storage. This RFO is structured in two tranches with distinct evaluation and negotiation timelines.

The RFO solicits offers for four product types: (1) RPS Product - renewable energy; (2) RPS+Energy Storage Product - combined renewable energy and battery storage; (3) Firm or Shaped RPS Product - renewable energy with specific delivery characteristics; and (4) Stand-Alone Storage Product - energy storage without generation. Respondents may submit offers for multiple products across both tranches. Tranche 1 projects are expected to have completed interconnection studies and defined technical specifications, while Tranche 2 projects may have indicative pricing and commercial operation dates subject to interconnection process outcomes. Respondents must specify the CAISO TPD Zone for generation projects and complete all required narrative sections and offer forms.

Key deadlines include: questions due by June 12, 2026 (2:00 PM PDT); Notice of Intent to Offer due by June 17, 2026 (2:00 PM PDT); and final offer submission due by July 14, 2026 (5:00 PM PDT). A respondent webinar is scheduled for June 8, 2026 at 10:00 AM PDT. Selection of shortlisted respondents for Tranche 2 occurs by August 24, 2026, with Tranche 2 negotiations completing by September 30, 2026. Tranche 1 shortlisted respondents are identified by September 15, 2026, with comprehensive redlines of pro forma agreements due by November 10, 2026. Negotiations for both tranches occur November 2026 through March 2027, followed by board and city council approvals December 2026 through April 2027.

Submissions must include a Notice of Intent to Offer (Attachment A), RFO Participation Agreement (Attachment B), completed Offer Form (Attachment C), Offer Supplement Requirements (Attachment D), and pro forma agreements specific to the product type. Offers must be submitted via Dropbox with all required files. Tranche 2 projects are evaluated based on Counterparty Execution Risk, Offer Competitiveness, and Development Status Risk, with projects having executed IPE Offtake Agreements receiving preference for Commercial Interest Points. Respondents waive all rights to legal recourse regarding offer rejection, valuation, or selection determinations.