Smart Grid & Microgrid Immersive Learning and Training Platform

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
North Carolina A&T State University
Request for Proposal #:59-P2411
Smart Grid & Microgrid Immersive Learning and Training Platform
Date of Issue: 5/5/2026
Bid Opening Date: 5/14/2026
At 2:00 PM ET
Direct all inquiries concerning this RFP to:
Roselyn Pinnix
Purchasing Specialist
Email: rp003826@ncat.edu
Phone: 336.285.4970

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
Request for Proposal #
59-P2411
______________________________________________________
For internal State agency processing, including tabulation of proposals, provide your company's eVP (Electronic
Vendor Portal) Number. Pursuant to G.S. 132-1.10(b) this identification number shall not be released to the public.
This page will be removed and shredded, or otherwise kept confidential, before the procurement file is made
available for public inspection.
This page shall be filled out and returned with your proposal.
Failure to do so may subject your proposal to rejection.
___________________________________________________
Vendor Name
______________________________
Vendor eVP#
Note: For a contract to be awarded to you, your company (you) must be a North Carolina registered Vendor in
good standing. You must enter the Vendor number assigned through eVP (Electronic Vendor Portal). If you do
not have a Vendor number, register athttps://evp.nc.gov/SignIn
Electronic responses ONLY will be accepted for this solicitation.
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Proposal Number: 59-P2411 Vendor: __________________________________________
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
North Carolina A&T State University
Refer ALL Inquiries regarding this RFP to: Request for Proposal #: 59-P2411
Roselyn Pinnix, Purchasing Specialist Proposals will be publicly opened: 5/14/2026
rp003826@ncat.edu
336.285.4970
EXECUTION
In compliance with this Request for Proposals (RFP), and subject to all the conditions herein, the undersigned Vendor
offers and agrees to furnish and deliver any or all items upon which prices are bid, at the prices set opposite each item
within the time specified herein.
By executing this proposal, the undersigned Vendor understands that false certification is a Class I felony and certifies
that:
this proposal is submitted competitively and without collusion (G.S. 143-54),
none of its officers, directors, or owners of an unincorporated business entity has been convicted of any
violations of Chapter 78A of the General Statutes, the Securities Act of 1933, or the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (G.S. 143-59.2), and
it is not an ineligible Vendor as set forth in G.S. 143-59.1.
Furthermore, by executing this proposal, the undersigned certifies to the best of Vendor's knowledge and belief, that:
it and its principals are not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible or
voluntarily excluded from covered transactions by any Federal or State department or agency.
As required by G.S. 143-48.5, the undersigned Vendor certifies that it, and each of its sub-Contractors for any Contract
awarded as a result of this RFP, complies with the requirements of Article 2 of Chapter 64 of the NC General Statutes,
including the requirement for each employer with more than 25 employees in North Carolina to verify the work
authorization of its employees through the federal E-Verify system.
As required by Executive Order 24 (2017), the undersigned vendor certifies will comply with all Federal and State
requirements concerning fair employment and that it does not and will not discriminate, harass, or retaliate against
any employee in connection with performance of any Contract arising from this solicitation.
G.S. 133-32 and Executive Order 24 (2009) prohibit the offer to, or acceptance by, any State Employee associated with
the preparing plans, specifications, estimates for public contracts; or awarding or administering public contracts; or
inspecting or supervising delivery of the public contract of any gift from anyone with a contract with the State, or from
any person seeking to do business with the State. By execution of this response to the RFP, the undersigned certifies,
for Vendor's entire organization and its employees or agents, that Vendor is not aware that any such gift has been
offered, accepted, or promised by any employees of your organization.
By executing this proposal, Vendor certifies that it has read and agreed to the INSTRUCTION TO VENDORS and the
NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS incorporated herein. These documents can be accessed from
the ATTACHMENTS page within this document.
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Proposal Number: 59-P2411 Vendor: __________________________________________
Failure to execute/sign proposal prior to submittal may render proposal invalid and it MAY BE REJECTED. Late
proposals shall not be accepted.
COMPLETE/FORMAL NAME OF VENDOR:
STREET ADDRESS: P.O. BOX: ZIP:
CITY & STATE & ZIP: TELEPHONE TOLL FREE TEL. NO:
NUMBER:
PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS ADDRESS IF DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE (SEE INSTRUCTIONS TO VENDORS ITEM #21):
PRINT NAME & TITLE OF PERSON SIGNING ON BEHALF OF VENDOR:
VENDOR'S AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE*: DATE: EMAIL:
VALIDITY PERIOD
Offer shall be valid for at least sixty 60 days from date of bid opening, unless otherwise stated here: ______ days, or
if extended by mutual agreement of the parties in writing. Any withdrawal of this offer shall be made in writing,
effective upon receipt by the agency issuing this RFP.
ACCEPTANCE OF PROPOSAL
If your proposal is accepted, all provisions of this RFP, along with the written results of any negotiations, shall constitute
the written agreement between the parties ("Contract"). The NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
are incorporated herein and shall apply. Depending upon the Goods or Services being offered, other terms and
conditions may apply, as mutually agreed.
FOR STATE USE ONLY: Offer accepted and Contract awarded this________ day of __________, 20____, as
indicated on
The attached certification, by ____________________________________________________________________.
(Authorized Representative of North Carolina A&T State University)
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Proposal Number: 59-P2411 Vendor: __________________________________________
Contents
1.0 PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND ............................................................................................. 5
2.0 GENERAL INFORMATION ....................................................................................................... 6
2.1 REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DOCUMENT ......................................................................................... 6
2.2 E-PROCUREMENT FEE ................................................................................................................. 6
2.3 NOTICE TO VENDORS REGARDING RFP TERMS AND CONDITIONS .................................................. 6
2.4 RFP SCHEDULE ........................................................................................................................... 7
2.5 PROPOSAL QUESTIONS ............................................................................................................... 7
2.6 PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL ............................................................................................................... 7
2.7 PROPOSAL CONTENTS ................................................................................................................ 8
2.10 DEFINITIONS, ACRONYMS, AND ABBREVIATIONS .............................................................................. 9
3.0 METHOD OF AWARD AND PROPOSAL EVALUATION PROCESS ....................................... 9
3.1 METHOD OF AWARD .................................................................................................................. 9
3.2 CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROHIBITED COMMUNICATIONS DURING EVALUATION ............................. 9
3.3 PROPOSAL EVALUATION PROCESS ............................................................................................. 10
3.4 EVALUATION CRITERIA ............................................................................................................. 10
3.5 PERFORMANCE OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES ............................................................................ 12
3.6 INTERPRETATION OF TERMS AND PHRASES ................................................................................ 12
4.0 REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................................................................ 12
4.1 PRICING ................................................................................................................................ 13
4.2 FINANCIAL STABILITY ........................................................................................................ 13
4.3 HUB PARTICIPATION .......................................................................................................... 13
4.4 VENDOR EXPERIENCE ........................................................................................................ 13
4.5 BACKGROUND CHECKS ..................................................................................................... 14
4.6 PERSONNEL ......................................................................................................................... 14
4.7 VENDOR'S REPRESENTATIONS ........................................................................................ 14
4.8 FINANCIAL STABILITY ........................................................................................................ 14
4.9 AGENCY INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS MODIFICATION ................................................. 15
4.10 SUBCONTRACTORS ............................................................................................................ 15
4.11 SECRETARY OF STATE REGISTRATION ........................................................................... 15
5.0 SPECIFICATIONS AND SCOPE OF WORK .......................................................................... 15
5.1 GENERAL ............................................................................................................................. 15
5.2 EXPERIENCE & PAST PERFORMANCE ............................................................................. 15
5.3 SPECIFICATIONS ................................................................................................................. 15
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Proposal Number: 59-P2411 Vendor: __________________________________________
5.4 TASKS/DELIVERABLES ...................................................................................................... 16
5.5 PROJECT ORGANIZATION .................................................................................................. 17
5.6 TECHNICAL APPROACH ..................................................................................................... 17
5.7 CERTIFICATION AND SAFETY LABELS ............................................................................. 17
6.0 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION .................................................................................................... 18
6.1 CONTRACT MANAGER AND CUSTOMER SERVICE ............................................................... 18
6.2 INVOICES ................................................................................................................................... 18
6.3 CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT ................................................................................................ 18
6.4 ACCEPTANCE OF WORK .......................................................................................................... 19
6.5 DISPUTE RESOLUTION ............................................................................................................. 19
7.0 ATTACHMENTS ..................................................................................................................... 20
ATTACHMENT A: PRICING............................................................................................................... 20
ATTACHMENT B: INSTRUCTIONS TO VENDORS .......................................................................... 20
ATTACHMENT C: NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS ................................... 20
ATTACHMENT D: HUB SUPPLEMENTAL VENDOR INFORMATION .............................................. 20
ATTACHMENT F: LOCATION OF WORKERS UTILIZED BY VENDOR ........................................... 20
ATTACHMENT G: CERTIFICATION OF FINANCIAL CONDITION ................................................... 20
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Proposal Number: 59-P2411 Vendor: __________________________________________
1.0 PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND
Purpose
STEPS4GROWTH is a four-year program funded through the American Rescue Plan Good Jobs Challenge grant and
awarded to North Carolina A&T State University within the Computational Data Science & Engineering Department.
The program is designed to develop a robust, clean energy workforce training ecosystem. As part of this effort,
STEPS4GROWTH is seeking a qualified vendor to deliver a custom-built, turnkey solution for the "Smart Grid &
Microgrid Immersive Learning and Training Platform", including full system integration.
The proposed platform will accelerate the development of a future-ready clean energy workforce by leveraging
immersive virtual reality (VR) technologies to teach core concepts in smart power systems. The goal is to create an
innovative, interactive, and accessible learning environment that complements traditional classroom instruction
while providing learners with hands-on, virtual exposure to critical systems, tools, and operational scenarios
commonly used in the modern power and energy sector.
The VR-based training modules will simulate realistic grid environments, equipment, and operational conditions,
allowing students and program participants to engage with complex smart grid and microgrid systems within a safe,
controlled setting. Through this immersive approach, learners will be able to visualize and interact with system
components, conduct experiments, troubleshoot faults, and observe dynamic system behaviors in real time. These
capabilities are often difficult or prohibitively expensive to replicate in physical laboratory environments due to cost,
space limitations, or safety concerns.
Background
The STEPS4GROWTH program is a statewide workforce development initiative designed to prepare North Carolina's
future talent for high-demand careers in energy efficiency, clean manufacturing, clean energy, and other emerging
industries. A core pillar of STEPS4GROWTH is its strong emphasis on hands-on training, experiential learning, and
clearly defined real-world career pathways. Through specialized academic coursework, industry-recognized
certifications, and applied research experiences, participants develop the technical expertise and professional
competencies required to succeed in technology-driven workplaces.
The program is intentionally structured to ensure equitable access for learners from diverse backgrounds, providing
opportunities to participate in high-quality training and connect directly with employers across the state. By
integrating education, workforce development, and industry engagement, STEPS4GROWTH strengthens North
Carolina's talent pipeline, fuels economic growth, and empowers students to pursue meaningful and sustainable
careers in critical and emerging sectors.
As a public, high-research-activity, land-grant university, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
(N.C. A&T) serves as a research engine, educational leader, and economic catalyst for the state and the nation. With
students drawn from nearly every U.S. state and six continents worldwide, N.C. A&T's educational reach and impact
rank among the strongest in the Southeastern United States. The university is not only America's highest-ranked
historically Black college and university (HBCU), but also the largest HBCU for seven consecutive years and the
nation's leading HBCU for STEM education. N.C. A&T produces more African American engineers and agricultural
scientists than any other university in the United States and is home to the top public HBCU business school in the
country.
Over the past decade, N.C. A&T has experienced significant growth in student enrollment, academic offerings, and
research capacity, including the establishment of four new Centers of Excellence within the last year alone. Guided
by a bold and forward-looking strategic plan, the university has expanded enrollment to more than 14,000 students,
invested in major infrastructure projects such as the $90 million Engineering Research and Innovation Complex, and
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Proposal Number: 59-P2411 Vendor: __________________________________________
continues to enhance campus life with new residential facilities, including an upcoming 450-bed residence hall.
Concurrently, N.C. A&T has strengthened its research enterprise through expanded partnerships with federal
agencies and private-sector organizations. We invite stakeholders to explore N.C. A&T and the opportunities made
possible through collaboration.
The Master of Science in Data Science and Engineering is an interdisciplinary graduate program tailored for students
seeking to apply computational and data-driven approaches to solving complex problems involving big data,
advanced analytics, large-scale computation, modeling, simulation, optimization, and visualization.
The mission of the Department of Computational Data Science and Engineering is to prepare graduates who:
a. Develop novel computational methodologies and technologies, and/or
b. Apply advanced computational tools to extend expertise across disciplines in science, technology,
engineering, and socioeconomics.
Research within the department encompasses a broad and impactful portfolio, including big data analytics and
computational statistics; artificial intelligence and machine learning; the Internet of Things; large-scale and complex
systems; intelligent transportation and infrastructure; remote sensing; autonomous systems; virtual and augmented
reality; e-commerce; image and video analytics; scientific and interactive visualization; high-performance computing;
scalable algorithms; bioinformatics; and multi-scale, multi-physics engineering systems.
The intent of this solicitation is to award an Agency Specific Contract
Bids shall be submitted in accordance with the terms and conditions of this RFP and any addenda issued hereto.
2.0 GENERAL INFORMATION
2.1 REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DOCUMENT
This RFP is comprised of the base RFP document, any attachments, and any addenda released before Contract award,
which are incorporated herein by reference.
2.2 E-PROCUREMENT FEE
ATTENTION: The E-Procurement fee may apply to this solicitation. See the paragraph entitled ELECTRONIC
PROCUREMENT of the North Carolina General Terms and Conditions.
General information on the E-Procurement Services can be found at: http://eprocurement.nc.gov/.
2.3 NOTICE TO VENDORS REGARDING RFP TERMS AND CONDITIONS
It shall be the Vendor's responsibility to read the Instructions to Vendors, the North Carolina General Terms and
Conditions, all relevant exhibits and attachments, and any other components made a part of this RFP and comply with
all requirements and specifications herein. Vendors are also responsible for obtaining and complying with all Addenda
and other changes that may be issued in connection with this RFP.
If Vendors have questions or issues regarding any component of this RFP, those must be submitted as questions in
accordance with the instructions in the PROPOSAL QUESTIONS Section. If the State determines that any changes will
be made as a result of the questions asked, then such decisions will be communicated in the form of an RFP addendum.
The State may also elect to leave open the possibility for later negotiation of specific provisions of the Contract that
have been addressed during the question-and-answer period, prior to contract award.
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Proposal Number: 59-P2411 Vendor: __________________________________________
Other than through the process of negotiation under 01 NCAC 05B.0503, the State rejects and will not be required to
evaluate or consider any additional or modified terms and conditions submitted with Vendor's proposal or otherwise.
This applies to any language appearing in or attached to the document as part of the Vendor's proposal that purports
to vary any terms and conditions or Vendors' instructions herein or to render the proposal non-binding or subject to
further negotiation. Vendor's proposal shall constitute a firm offer that shall be held open for the period required
herein ("Validity Period" above).
The State may exercise its discretion to consider Vendor proposed modifications. By execution and delivery of this
RFP Response, the Vendor agrees that any additional or modified terms and conditions, whether submitted
purposely or inadvertently, shall have no force or effect, and will be disregarded unless expressly agreed upon
through negotiation and incorporated by way of a Best and Final Offer (BAFO). Noncompliance with, or any attempt
to alter or delete, this paragraph shall constitute sufficient grounds to reject Vendor's proposal as nonresponsive.
2.4 RFP SCHEDULE
The table below shows the intended schedule for this RFP. The State will make every effort to adhere to this schedule.
Event Responsibility Date and Time
Issue RFQ State 5/5/2026
Submit Written Questions Vendor 5/8/2026
Provide Response to Questions State 5/11/2026
Submit Bids Vendor 5/14/2026
Award State 5/15/2026
2.5 PROPOSAL QUESTIONS
Upon review of the RFP documents, Vendors may have questions to clarify or interpret the RFP in order to submit the
best proposal possible. To accommodate the Proposal Questions process, Vendors shall submit any such questions by
the "Submit Written Questions" date and time provided in the RFP SCHEDULE Section above, unless modified by
Addendum.
Written questions shall be submitted through Bonfire by the date and time specified above. Vendors should enter "RFP
#59-P2411: Questions" as the subject for the submission. Question submittals should include a reference to the
applicable RFP section and be submitted in the format shown below:
Reference Vendor Question
RFP Section, Page Number Vendor question ...?
Questions received prior to the submission deadline date, the State's response, and any additional terms deemed
necessary by the State will be posted in the form of an addendum to the electronic Vendor Portal (eVP),
https://evp.nc.gov, and shall become an Addendum to this RFP. No information, instruction or advice provided orally or
informally by any State personnel, whether made in response to a question or otherwise in connection with this RFP,
shall be considered authoritative or binding. Vendors shall rely only on written material contained in the RFP and an
addendum to this RFP.
2.6 PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is an absolute requirement. Late bids, regardless of cause, will not be opened or considered,
and will be automatically disqualified from further consideration. Vendor shall bear the sole risk of late submission due
to unintended or unanticipated delay. It is the Vendor's sole responsibility to ensure its proposal has been received as
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Proposal Number: 59-P2411 Vendor: __________________________________________
described in this RFP by the specified time and date of opening. The time and date of receipt will be marked on each
proposal when received. Any proposal or portion thereof received after the proposal deadline will be rejected.
Instructions: Responses, subject to the conditions made a part hereof and the receipt requirements described below, shall be
received at the address indicated in the table below, for furnishing and delivering those items as described herein.
Electronic address for delivery of Bid Proposal
https://ncat.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities
Electronic responses ONLY will be accepted for this solicitation through:
https://ncat.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities
BID SUBMITTAL - NO PAPER SUBMISSIONS
Bonfire Support Team can also be contracted by calling 1-800-354-8010 Ext. 2. Support by phone and email is provided
Monday - Friday from 8 AM - 8 PM EST.
If confidential and proprietary information is included in the proposal, also submit one (1) signed, REDACTED copy of
the proposal. Such information may include trade secrets defined by N.C. Gen. Stat. 66-152 and other information
exempted from the Public Records Act pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. 132- 1.2. Vendor may designate information,
Products, Services or appropriate portions of its response as confidential, consistent with and to the extent permitted
under the statutes and rules set forth above. By so redacting any page, or portion of a page, the Vendor warrants that
it has formed a good faith opinion, having received such necessary or proper review by counsel and other
knowledgeable advisors, that the portions determined to be confidential and proprietary and redacted as such, meet
the requirements of the Rules and Statutes set forth above. However, under no circumstances shall price information
be designated as confidential.
If the Vendor does not provide a redacted version of the proposal with its proposal submission, the Department may
release an unredacted version if a record request is received.
Failure to submit a proposal in strict accordance with these instructions shall constitute sufficient cause to reject a
Vendor's proposal(s). Vendors are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to upload proposals.
Critical updated information may be included in Addenda to this RFP. It is important that all Vendors responding to this
RFP periodically check the State's eVP website for any Addenda that may be issued prior to the bid opening date. All
Vendors shall be deemed to have read and understood all information in this RFP and all Addenda thereto.
2.7 PROPOSAL CONTENTS
Vendors shall populate all attachments of this RFP that require the Vendor to provide information and include an
authorized signature where requested. Failure to provide all required items, or Vendor's submission of incomplete
items, may result in the State rejecting Vendor's proposal, in the State's sole discretion.
Vendor RFP responses shall include the following items and attachments, which shall be arranged in the following
order:
a) Cover Letter, which must contain the following: (i) a statement that confirms that the proposer has read the RFP
in its entirety, including all links, and all Addenda released in conjunction with the RFP, (ii) a statement that the
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