RFB 2027-027 University of Maine: Natural Gas

REQUEST FOR BIDS
Administered by:
Competitive Energy Services, LLC
Natural Gas:
University of Maine System on behalf of
University of Maine at Orono
RFB #2027-027
ISSUE DATE:
October 12, 2026
BIDS MUST BE RECEIVED ON:
Monday October 26,2026
(See Section Two for details)
Competitive Energy Services
Attn: Sarah Bilodeau

SECTION ONE
1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION:
1.1 Purpose: Competitive Energy Services ("CES"), the Bid Administrator, on behalf of the
University of Maine System ("University"), is seeking proposals from qualified natural gas
suppliers for natural gas supply and related services for certain University locations.
1.2 References: Each respondent to this Request for Bids ("RFB") shall be referred to as a
"Bidder." Each Bidder to whom a contract is awarded shall be referred to as a "Supplier."
1.3 Objectives: To obtain a price for the terms and structures requested in attached SBF to this
RFB. Bidders are encouraged to propose additional terms and structures that they believe
the University should consider.
(a) Fixed Basis only
a. Daily & Monthly cashouts
b. 0% & 10% swings
c. Full Requirements
(b) Fixed Basis + Nymex
a. Daily & Monthly cashouts
b. 0% & 10% swings
c. Full Requirements
Requested cashout adder: Platts AGT city-gates midpoint +/- $ or %.
If Bidder cannot provide cashouts based upon this index reference, Bidder must
provide the alternative index reference with the submitted bid.
(c) Spot Gas Adder:
a. Platts AGT city-gates midpoint plus $
(d) Broker Fee: There is NO Broker Fee.
When submitting pricing, please include credit status (if approved, length of approved
term; if not approved, requirements for further credit review/approval); capacity status
(included or pass through); and payment terms. See attached SBF for more details.
1.4 Timeline of Events: Timeline dates are subject to change at the University's sole discretion.
The University reserves the right to award this RFB at any time it determines that market
conditions are favorable and such award is in the best interests of the University.
Event Due Date
Issue Date Monday October 12, 2026
Inquiries Deadline EOB Thursday October 15, 2026
Response to Inquiries EOB Tuesday October 20, 2026
Bids Due Date 4:00 PM Monday October 26, 2026
Estimated Award Date On or Before July 1, 2027
1.5 Evaluation Criteria: Award will be made to the low Bidder provided that all other
requirements are satisfactorily met and competitively bid. The University will not consider
non-responsive bids or proposals, i.e., those with material deficiencies, omissions, errors or

inconsistencies.
1.6 Award: The University reserves the right to award this bid on a location by location basis,
price and other factors considered. The University reserves the right to conduct any tests it
may deem advisable and to make all evaluations. The University reserves the right to reject
any or all bids, in whole or in part and is not necessarily bound to accept the lowest bid if that
bid is contrary to the best interests of the University. The University reserves the right to
waive minor irregularities. Scholarships, donations, or gifts to the University, will not be
considered in the evaluation of bids. A bid may be rejected if it is in any way incomplete or
irregular. When there are tie bids, there shall be a preference for "in-state Bidders". When
tie bids are both in state or both out of state, the award will be made to the bid that arrives
first in the office designated to receive the bids.
1.7 Freedom of Access Act: The University must adhere to the provisions of the Maine Freedom
of Access Act. (FOAA), 1 MRSA sec 401 et seq. As a condition of accepting a contract under
this section, a supplier must accept that, to the extent required by Maine FOAA, responses to
this solicitation, and any ensuing contractual documents, are considered public records and
therefore are subject to freedom of access requests, except that all documents subject to
Maine FOAA will be held confidential until an award is made.
1.8 Appeal: Bidders may appeal the award decision by submitting a written protest to the
University Chief Procurement Officer within 5 business days of the date of the award notice
with a copy of the protest to the successful bidder. The protest must contain a statement of
the basis for the challenge.
1.9 Costs of Preparation: Bidder assumes all costs of preparation of the bid and any
presentations necessary to the bidding process.
1.10 Debarment: Submission of a signed bid in response to this solicitation is certification that
your firm (or any subcontractor) is not currently debarred, suspended, proposed for
debarment, declared ineligible or voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction by
any State or Federal department or agency. Submission is also agreement that the
University will be notified of any change in this status.
END SECTION ONE

SECTION TWO
2.0 BIDDING REQUIREMENTS:
2.1 Bid Understanding: By submitting a bid, the Bidder agrees and assures that the specifications
are adequate, and the Bidder accepts the terms and conditions herein. Any exceptions must
be noted in a Bidder's response. Notwithstanding Bidder's apparent low bid price or any
provision to the contrary herein, any conditions or exceptions that Bidder places upon the
University's terms and conditions shall be weighed as part of the evaluation criteria for bid
award.
2.2 Communication with the University and the Bid Administrator: It is the responsibility of the
Bidder to inquire about any requirement of this RFB that is not understood. Responses to
inquiries, if they change or clarify the RFB in a substantial manner, will be forwarded by
addenda to all parties that have received a copy of the RFB. The University will not be bound
by oral responses to inquiries or written responses other than addenda.
Inquiries must be made to:
Sarah Bilodeau
Tel (207) 772-6190
Fax (207) 772-6320
Email sbilodeau@competitive-energy.com
Chris Brook
Tel (207) 772-6190
Fax (207) 772-6320
Email cbrook@competitive-energy.com
2.3 Submission: Signed bids must be received VIA FAX OR EMAIL no later than 4:00 PM
Monday October 26, 2026 in accordance with this RFB. The signed bid document must be
submitted to the Bid Administrator acknowledging the terms and conditions of the bid. Bids
that do not include a signed bidder form will not be considered. Late bids will not be
considered. Bids shall be submitted to the Bid Administrator via fax to 207-772-6320 or
email to sbilodeau@competitive-energy.com.
Bidders may submit additional information, at their discretion. Such information should be
submitted in accordance with the terms of this RFB.
Due to market volatility, the bidding process may be conducted in multiple rounds. If market
conditions are unfavorable the University may decide not to award a contract on that day, but
may invite Bidders to submit bids at a later time, such as if market conditions appear
favorable.
There will be NO public opening of the bids. All bids will be held confidential until an
award is made. After an award has been made bids will be available for public inspection.
Please submit pricing as follows:
University of Maine (Orono)
Est. Annual (aggregated) dth: 450,536
# of Accounts: 1
Utility: Unitil (Formally
Bangor Gas
Start Date: 7/1/2026
Term: 12, 24, 36 months
CES Fee: $0.00

More detailed account and usage information is provided in the attachments to this RFB
(including the supplier bid form and utility usage data).
END SECTION TWO

SECTION THREE
3.0 GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
3.1 Contract Documents: If a separate written contract is entered into by the University and the
Contractor (hereinafter "the parties,") such contract shall be referred to herein as "Contract".
In the event there are discrepancies or inconsistencies among the Contract, the signed bid
response and/or this RFB, the Contract will be the prevailing document followed by the
signed bid response and then this RFB.
If a separate written contract is not executed, the "Contract" or "Agreement" entered into by
the parties shall consist of:
-this Request for Bids;
-the signed bid submitted by the Contractor;
-the specifications including all modifications thereof; and
-a purchase order,
all of which shall be referred to collectively as the Contract Documents.
Any contract or agreement for services that will, or may, result in the expenditure by the
University of $50,000 or more must be approved in writing by the Chief Procurement Officer
and it is not approved, valid or effective until such written approval is granted.
3.2 Contract Modification and Amendment: The parties may, after mutual written agreement,
adjust the specific terms of the Contract (except for pricing) where circumstances beyond the
control of either party require modification or amendment. Any modification or amendment
proposed by the Supplier must be in writing to the University Purchasing Department. Any
modification or amendment must only be upon mutual agreement of the parties and in writing
and signed by both parties.
3.3 Contract Term: The Contract term shall begin July 1, 2027 for a period of up to 36
months.
3.4 Contract Administration: Upon execution of the Contract, the University Chief Procurement
Officer, Rudy Gabrielson, or his designee or assign at the University shall be the University's
authorized representative in all matters pertaining to the administration of this Contract.
3.5 Volumes: The volumes shown on the bid form and usage data attachments are approximate
only. The Contract shall cover the actual needs of the University throughout the term of the
Contract regardless of whether they are more or less than the volumes shown.
3.6 Contract Validity: In the event one or more clauses of the Contract are declared invalid, void,
unenforceable or illegal, that shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of the
Contract.
3.7 Clarification of Responsibilities: If the Supplier needs clarification of, or deviation from, the
terms of the Contract, it is the Supplier's responsibility to obtain written clarification or
approval from the University Chief Purchasing Officer, Rudy Gabrielson, or his designee or
assign at the University.
3.8 Litigation: This Contract and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maine without
reference to its conflicts of laws principles. The Supplier agrees that any litigation, action or
proceeding arising out of this Contract shall be instituted in a state court located in the State
of Maine.

3.9 Indemnification: The Supplier shall indemnify, hold harmless and defend the University, its
trustees, employees and agents, from and against any and all actions, losses, expenses,
claims, lawsuits, damages, judgments, and costs, including reasonable attorney's fees,
suffered or sustained by the University or for which the University may be held or become
liable by reason of injury (including death) to persons or property or other causes whatsoever
in connection with or arising out of the negligent acts, omissions or operations of the Supplier,
or any of its subcontractors, under this Contract.
3.10 Assignment: Neither party of the Contract shall assign the Contract without the prior written
consent of the other, nor shall the Supplier assign any money due or to become due without
the prior written consent of the University.
3.11 Equal Opportunity: In the execution of the Contract, the Supplier and all subcontractors
agree, consistent with University policy, not to discriminate on the grounds of race, color,
religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status or gender expression, national origin or
citizenship status, age, disability or veteran's status and to provide reasonable
accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.
3.12 Sexual Harassment: The University is committed to providing a positive environment for all
students and staff. Sexual harassment, whether intentional or not, undermines the quality of
this educational and working climate. The University thus has a legal and ethical
responsibility to ensure that all students and employees can learn and work in an
environment free of sexual harassment. Consistent with the state and federal law, this right
to freedom from sexual harassment was defined as University policy by the Board of
Trustees.
Failure to comply with this policy could result in termination of this Contract without advance
notice. Further information regarding this policy is available from the University, Office of
Equal Opportunity, (207) 581-1226.
END SECTION THREE

RFB #2027-027
University of Maine at Orono
Natural Gas
SIGNATURE PAGE FOR BIDDER
By signing below, the undersigned hereby acknowledges full authority to sign on behalf of, and
to legally bind the Bidder to the terms and conditions of this RFB. The Bidder further
acknowledges that it has read and fully understands the terms and conditions to which it is
agreeing. Bids received without a signed bidder form will not be considered.
COMPANY NAME:
By:
(Signature of fully authorized representative)
(Print Name)
(Title)
(Phone)
(Cell Phone)
(E-mail Address)
(Date)

Supplier Bid Form
Due 10/26/2026
Please fill out all applicable items highlighted in yellow
Companies: University of Maine System (Orono)
Organization: CES
Supplier Name:
Annual Usage: 450,536
Usage Units: Dth
CES Fee $/Dth: $0
Requested Start Date: Jul-2027
Supplier's Bid
12 mo. 24 mo. 36 mo. 48 mo. 60 mo. Cashout Adder Capacity Included
Basis Only: Daily 0%
Basis Only: Daily 10%
Basis Only: Monthly 0%
Basis Only: Monthly 10%
Basis Only: Full Requirements
Basis + NYMEX: Daily 0%
Basis + NYMEX: Daily 10%
Basis + NYMEX: Monthly 0%
Basis + NYMEX: Monthly 10%
Basis + NYMEX: Full Requirements
Credit Status
Approved Pending Docs Required, if necessary Declined
Price Expiration Date/Time:
Please note that normalized data is supplied. Normalized data has been calculated on a monthly basis.
CES provides the usage profile contained herein as a courtesy to suppliers. This usage profile is an estimate of annual usage.
It should be used for reference purposes only and should not be relied upon for pricing and/or contracting unless otherwise noted. Please contact the pricing associate with any questions.
CES_UMaine_Orono_SBF_NG_Jul27_Updated_SB_20261009 Page 1 / 8

CompanyName Billing Address Billing Email Primary Contact
University of Maine System (Orono) PO Box 533, Bangor, ME 04402 Mike Swartz
CES_UMaine_Orono_SBF_NG_Jul27_Updated_SB_20261009 Page 2 / 8