Request for Proposals: Design/Build Contractor for Cleveland Solar Energy Projects

The City of Cleveland, through the Mayor's Office of Sustainability and Climate Justice (MOSCJ), is soliciting design-build services from qualified solar photovoltaic (PV) providers to design, engineer, build, and construct turn-key installations of two DC ground-mounted solar PV projects on former landfill sites. The two sites—Kolthoff Road Landfill (~7.0 MW DC) and Bradbury/West 11th Landfill (~3.0 MW DC)—will have a combined capacity of approximately 10 megawatts DC. The Kolthoff project will offset operational power costs for Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE), while the West 11th project will benefit Cleveland Public Power (CPP) customers by reducing market-procured power supply costs and will be co-located with a future park area featuring an educational solar power kiosk.

Qualified firms (singly or in joint venture) must demonstrate competence in designing, planning, scheduling, permitting, and constructing complete solar PV systems with interconnections; providing project financial analysis; understanding local utility operations; complying with federal rules and requirements; applying for and securing federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC); and providing system monitoring and maintenance options post-construction. Selection criteria will include price, qualifications, experience, background, and compliance with the City of Cleveland's Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) goals. The selection committee will include representatives from the Department of Public Utilities (DPU), Department of Port Control (DPC), and MOSCJ.

Key dates include a pre-proposal meeting on March 9, 2026, a Q&A deadline of March 19, 2026, and a proposal submission deadline of April 10, 2026 at 9:00 PM. The City intends to finalize the selection process and enter into an initial design contract by June 30, 2026 to meet grant and ITC timelines. All installations and interconnections must be completed by December 31, 2027 to satisfy ITC in-service date requirements. The prime contract holder is expected to actively manage all sub-consultants and sub-contractors to ensure optimal outcomes for the City.

The RFP includes geotechnical reports, Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments (ESA), NREL solar studies, Investment Tax Credit qualification requirements, a sample design-build agreement, and a responsibility matrix between the City and vendor. Cleveland Hopkins Airport 2023-2024 monthly electric data by meter is provided to assist with project planning and financial analysis.