PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF ADDENDUM ON APPENDIX A: FORM OF PROPOSAL PAGE Urgent X For Review Please Comment Please Reply Please Recycle

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1 DATE: February 8, 2016 TO: RE: FROM: All Bidders The Regional Municipality of Niagara 2016-RFP-03 FULL TURN-KEY MICROFIT (10KW) SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC PROJECTS Vicki Lafford-Field, Purchasing Agent PHONE: ext FAX NUMBER: NOTE: PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF ADDENDUM ON APPENDIX A: FORM OF PROPOSAL PAGE Urgent X For Review Please Comment Please Reply Please Recycle Directive: ADDENDUM # 1 1. Section III - Introduction, Objectives, Mandatory IESO s connection to the grid dates, page #8: Grid Connection Deadline for 300 North Service Rd., Grimsby is July 22, Addition: 1. Section III - Introduction, Objectives, The Solar PV System Must be Designed to in Accordance with the Micro FIT Program, page #8: The Solar PV system MUST be designed to in accordance with the Micro FIT Program and in accordance with all applicable standards and codes such as, but not limited to: f) Other applicable provincial codes, local regulations and industry standards: External enclosures must be located at accessible locations for Fire Department and Police Department immediate use, and also, for LDC s use and periodical inspection. Copy of the lock key(s) must be handed over to the Niagara Region. Contractor will keep a key copy until project warranty period expires. A master key for all boxes is the preferred scenario. This information may be subject to further changes based on customer needs. INVERTERS LOCATION & INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS: Site Interior/Exterior Wall Mounted CSA Approved (I/E) Metal Enclosure Waterproof Lock 300 North Service Rd., Grimsby E YES YES 347 Baker Rd. North, Grimsby E YES NO 2700 Decew Rd., Thorold E YES NO 7775 Jubilee Dr., Niagara Falls E YES YES 1 Bowden St., Fort Erie E YES YES 317 Albany Rd., Fort Erie I ENCLOSURE NO REQUIRED NO 3755 Victoria Ave., Vineland I ENCLOSURE NO REQUIRED NO 4281 Kent Ave., Niagara Falls I ENCLOSURE NO REQUIRED NO 211 King St., Welland I ENCLOSURE NO REQUIRED NO 920 South Pelham Rd., Pelham I ENCLOSURE NO REQUIRED NO 250 Thorold Rd., Welland I ENCLOSURE NO REQUIRED NO 200 Division St., Welland I ENCLOSURE NO REQUIRED NO 3450 Merrittville Hwy., Thorold I ENCLOSURE NO REQUIRED NO 277 Plymouth Rd., Welland I ENCLOSURE NO REQUIRED NO 6623 Kalar Rd., Niagara Falls I ENCLOSURE NO REQUIRED NO 3557 Thorold Twl. Rd., Allanburg I ENCLOSURE NO REQUIRED NO Page 1 of 5

2 Question and Answers: Q1. There are roof anchors on 211 King St. in Welland that are used to secure a window cleaner that hangs over the side of the building. The usage of these roof anchors will eliminate almost all of the usable roof space for solar panels. What is the policy of the NRH and the use of roof anchors. Are they even in use? Do we need to account for any setbacks or policies? A1. The anchors are used and required, and whether or not being used, they must be accessible and inspected annually. The Lump Sum price for 211 King St must include installation, Engineering and Design Fee s to account for the setbacks. Q2. Is there internet connection available in order to connect the monitoring system (part of project requirements) at all NRH sites? What is the procedure to follow in order to achieve this during project execution (final stage)? A2. We do not currently have internet connections at the sites. The Niagara Region will pursuing internet availability before the project starts. Q3. During site visits, Javier had mentioned he has some correspondence with the LDC (Hydro Companies) about connections etc. When are these going to be made available and where? A3. This is part of the project scope of work. Successful proponent(s) must coordinate with LDC s in order to obtain up-to-date information about sites connection requirements and fees. Q4. Solar arrays at 7775 Jubilee and Bowden Street: Applications were submitted for a single unit (#39 at Jubilee and #25 at Bowden) as required by IESO. Due to their size, arrays may likely extend a bit onto the contiguous unit s roof surface (#38 at Jubilee and #27 at Bowden). However; generation bill will be linked to one property only. Is there any problem with this as it is known NRH owns all those properties? A4. The installations are permitted onto the adjacent roofs. Q5. The RFP states a P-eng stamp is required on each site for structural, electrical and shade studies. As there are structural and electrical engineers this is a realistic request. However, engineers will not stamp shade analysis. This is an industry practice that utilizes 3rd party software and has quite accurate results. Please clarify the intent. A5. The Niagara Region is expecting to receive professionally stamped documents for the structural and electrical assessments as this is a mandatory requirement. Regarding Shading; the Niagara Region is willing to accept contractors' assessments based on dedicated software results; professional stamp is not mandatory. Q6. Is Bonding Required? A6. A Performance and Labour Bond is required in Envelope A as per Section IV-Information to Proponents and General Conditions, Section #5, Performance and Labour and Materials Bond (See Appendix E), page #11. Q7. What is the Maintenance period? A7. Labour warranty period is two years Page 2 of 5

3 Q8.Please clarify the availability and size of temporary storage space for materials and staging area during the construction phase of Niagara s FIT projects for each site (16 Sites). Section V Specifications and Scope of Work, page #30, Construction Phase in the bid states that the Region s Project Coordinator may provide temporary storage space for materials if available. A8. The Niagara Region is doing its best effort to provide the Successful Proponent(s) with both but, unfortunately this may not be possible at a couple of sites due to their type of operation and space limitation. Trailer rental may be a solution proponents should consider among other alternatives. This is the actual scenario unless further indication is provided by key stakeholders. PARKING SPOT AND TEMPORARY STORAGE CAPACITY AT PROJECT SITES Address Municipality Parking Spot (one) Temporary Storage* PW 300 North Service Rd. Grimsby Yes Yes NEMS 3450 Merrittville Hwy. Thorold Yes No PW 3755 Victoria Ave. Lincoln Yes Yes PW 2700 Decew Rd. St. Catharines Yes Yes PW 347 Baker Rd. North Grimsby Yes Yes LTCH 920 South Pelham St. Welland Yes Yes SAEO 250 Thorold Rd. Welland No** No NRH 211 King St. Welland Yes Yes LTCH 277 Plymouth Rd. Welland Yes Yes PH 200 Division St. Welland Yes Yes PW 3557 Thorold Townline Rd. Thorold Yes Yes PW 4281 Kent Ave. Niagara Falls Yes Yes LTCH 6623 Kalar Rd. Niagara Falls Yes Yes NRH 7775 Jubilee Dr. Niagara Falls Yes No NRH 317 Albany St. Fort Erie Yes Yes NRH 1A Bowden St. Fort Erie Yes No *Site dedicated storage must be used to store parts inherent to the specific site project only. **Working with stakeholders in order to grant at least one parking space. The alternative solution would be parking at the nearby school. Q9: Section III Introduction, page #7, Solar System Design Requirements in the bid states propose one complete project, using a Solar Central String Inverter with 97% efficiency or higher. Please clarify if the Region is asking the Proponent to present one complete PV system project design in the proposal submission. If so, is one project design sufficient in total or is one project design per site required. A9. A dedicated design per site. Q10. During the site inspections at 300 North Service Road and 347 Baker Road, it was stated that the Region will provide a new pole mounted transformer dedicated to the proposed PV system. Please clarify if the Region will be paying directly for procurement and installation of the new pole mounted transformers. A10. As part of the RFP directions, the Successful Proponent(s) must contact LDC s regarding this and submit to Niagara Region LDC s quote for the required electrical upgrade. As per project instructions: Niagara Region reserves the right to decide whether to continue with the project based on this extra cost. The Niagara Region will pay for the electrical upgrade cost upon LDC s invoice reception. We encourage the Successful Proponents to conduct open and constructive discussions (provide suggestions based on your expertise) with LDC regarding these upgrades in order to minimize costs thus securing project execution approval by the Niagara Region. Page 3 of 5

4 Q11. Please confirm if 480V pole mounted grid-connected transformers can be provided at 300 North Service Road and 347 Baker Road based on LDC standards. A11. Again, this is part of the project information that Successful Proponents must coordinate with LDC s and share with the Niagara Region. Q12. Section V Specifications and Scope of Work, page #30, Electrical in the bid states it will be the responsibility of the Proponent to verify the integration with, and required modifications to existing electrical systems. During some of the site inspections, it was stated the preferred connection points are at existing pole mounted transformers. Please clarify LDC standards require 3-wire transformers to be upgraded to 4- wire transformers. A12. Same as A10 and A11. Q13. Please clarify the point of connection at 3450 Merrittvile Hwy. and 3557 Thorold Townline. A13. In order to avoid confusion: Last word on this subject should be provided by LDC s as per A10, A11 and A12. We preliminary planned connecting the system to the existent power feeding at 3450 Merrittville facility. For 3557 Thorold Townline Rd., you must bid on the existent condition which is connecting to the transformer located at the adjacent building as explained during the site visit. However; the Niagara Region is willing to perform an upgrade to the electrical service point at the back of the 3557 building which may allow us to discuss with Hydro One a much better solution. We ll keep you posted on this. Q14. During the site inspection at 7775 Jubilee Dr., it was noted that an existing ground transformer is located north of the site. Please clarify if the land area where the transformer is located belongs to the Region and if trenching can be done to connect the proposed PV system to the existing transformer. A14. Area is property of the Niagara Region (Niagara Region Housing, specifically). Again, discussion on this subject should be conducted with LDC to determine transformer s ownership and required connection method. Q15. During the site inspection at 1A Bowden St., it was stated that the proposed PV system should be installed on the roof area of Unit 25 and 27 and connected to the meter for either Unit. Please clarify if the roof areas beside Unit 25 and 27 may be used for the proposed PV system since the South facing roof is not big enough for a 10kW system. If not, please clarify if using the North facing roof of Unit 25 and 27 is acceptable. A15. Yes, it is accepted using the adjacent unit s roof area (always facing south). Meter connection should be done for one unit only (single account) as per MicroFIT rules. Q16. During the site inspection at 317 Albany St., it was noted that a tree located on the south side of the building may cause shading to the proposed PV system. Please confirm if removal or relocation of the tree is acceptable A16. Niagara Region Housing will try to trim this tree periodically for better sun exposure. Tree relocation or removal is not possible. In that light, you must design your system in such a way that it avoids shade as much as possible during daylight peak hours. You should consider combining several roof portions and/or extend the array close to the roof ridge for better results. Page 4 of 5

5 This Addendum must be acknowledged in the space provided on the Form of Proposal. All other terms and conditions remain unchanged. Vicki Lafford-Field Purchasing Agent Procurement and Strategic Acquisitions, Regional Municipality of Niagara c RFP-03 Javier Herrera Lanza Page 5 of 5