Whole Home Battery Backup Systems

SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
REQUEST FOR QUOTATION (RFQ) FOR WHOLE HOME BATTERY
BACKUP SYSTEMS
Q2026-05
PURPOSE
South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) invites sealed quotes from
qualified firms interested in providing ten (10) Whole Home Battery Backup Systems for air
monitoring stations located throughout the South Coast AQMD jurisdiction. In the preparation of
this Request for Quotes (RFQ), the word "Proposer," "Contractor," "Vendor," and "Consultant" are
used interchangeably.
INDEX - The following are contained in this RFQ.
Section I Background/Information/Schedule of Events
Section II Participation in the Procurement Process
Section III Response Submittal Requirements
Section IV Qualification Evaluation and Selection Criteria
Section V Request for Quotation
Attachment A Terms and Conditions
Attachment B Participation in the Procurement Process
Attachment C Certifications and Representations
SECTION I: BACKGROUND/INFORMATION/SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
South Coast AQMD is a regional governmental agency responsible for meeting air quality health
standards in Orange County and parts of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
South Coast AQMD has the need to procure ten Whole Home Battery Backup Systems for air
monitoring stations. The air monitoring stations are housed inside converted steel shipping
containers. Each station is air conditioned and together with the instrumentation draws similar
amount of power as a residential household. Each station has its own metered electrical
connection. The stations are located in Wilmington, Carson, West Long Beach, Torrance, El
Segundo, and Manhattan Beach. Potential bidders are encouraged to reach out to the South
Coast AQMD technical contact listed below for questions and details regarding this RFQ.
SOUTH COAST AQMD CONTACT PERSONS:
Questions regarding the content or intent of this RFQ or on procedural matters should be addressed
to:
Administrative: Technical:
Procurement Unit Yifan Yu, Program Supervisor
South Coast Air Quality Management District South Coast Air Quality Management District
21865 Copley Drive 21865 Copley Drive
Diamond Bar, CA 91765 Diamond Bar, CA 91765
909-396-3520 909-396-3586 (yyu@aqmd.gov)
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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
April 3, 2026 Release of RFQ
April 21, 2026 Bidder's Conference*
May 15, 2026 RFQ Closes, 2:00 P.M.
May 22, 2026 Quotation Evaluation
June 5, 2026 Issue Purchase Order
July 24, 2026 Delivery/Installation of Battery Backup Systems
* Participation in the Bidder's Conference is optional. Such participation would assist in notifying
potential Bidders of any updates or amendments and help answer any questions regarding details
on the configuration of the air monitoring stations. The Bidder's Conference will be held virtually on
MS Teams at 1pm on Tuesday, April 21st 2026. Please contact Yifan Yu at (909) 396-3586 or
yyu@aqmd.gov by close of business on Friday, April 17th 2026 if you plan to attend.
Please note that South Coast AQMD is closed on Monday and cannot receive bid
submittals accordingly.
SECTION II: PARTICIPATION IN THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS
It is the policy of South Coast AQMD to ensure that all businesses including minority business
enterprises, women business enterprises, disabled veteran business enterprises and small
businesses have a fair and equitable opportunity to compete for and participate in South Coast
AQMD contracts. Attachments B and C to this RFQ contain definitions and further information.
SECTION III: RESPONSE SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS
QUOTES - All quotes must be submitted according to specifications set forth in this RFQ.
SIGNATURE- Quotes must be signed by an authorized representative of the vendor.
DUE DATE - Four (4) complete copies of the quotes must be submitted. Quotes must be
typewritten and submitted in a sealed envelope, plainly marked in the upper, left-hand corner with
the name and address of the vendor with the words, "Request for Quotation Q2026-05". It should
be addressed to:
Procurement Unit
South Coast Air Quality Management District
21865 Copley Drive
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
Quotes are due no later than 2:00 p.m. on May 15, 2026. Any corrections or resubmissions of
the quote will not be sufficient reason to extend the deadline.
No late quotations will be accepted under any circumstances.
Grounds for rejection: A quote may be rejected if:
1. It is not prepared in the format described, or
2. It is signed by an individual not authorized to represent the firm.
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FORMAT - the content and format of the quote will adhere to the specifications listed below.
Failure to follow this format may result in quote disqualification.
1. The name and address of the vendor must be typed on the title page of the RFQ. An
authorized signature is also required.
2. Include completed documents contained in Certifications and Representations
attachment.
3. Submit four (4) complete copies of the RFQ response.
SECTION IV: EVALUATION AND SELECTION CRITERIA
Award will be made to the vendor submitting the lowest cost quotation which is fully
responsive to the specifications set forth in the RFQ, and/or providing the best value to
the South Coast AQMD in accordance with the South Coast AQMD Procurement Policy
and Procedure.
It is the policy of the South Coast AQMD to receive at least as favorable pricing, warranties,
conditions, benefits and terms as other customers or clients making similar purchases or receiving
similar services. To this purpose, formal bidding procedures, sole source awards, and RFP/RFQ
processes will include a certification for "most favored customer" status. South Coast AQMD will
give preference, where appropriate, to vendors who certify that they will provide "most favored
customer" status to the South Coast AQMD.
Proposals will be evaluated with the following criteria weighted by the values given below:
Criteria Points
Responsiveness to the RFQ 40
Vendor qualifications 20
Cost 40
The following factors will be used for the determination of cost:
1) Base price of battery system and installation cost.
2) Annual cost of spare parts and maintenance after warranty expires based on vendor-
supplied failure rates. Vendor must supply documentation to support the failure rates
quoted.
3) Warranty on the equipment.
4) Projected life expectancy of backup system. Vendor must supply documentation to
support life expectancy quoted.
Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBE's), Small Businesses, Zero or Near-Zero Emission
Vehicle Businesses, Off-Peak Hours Delivery Businesses, Local Businesses and businesses
offering the South Coast AQMD most favored customer pricing status, meeting the definitions
contained in Attachments B and C of this RFQ shall be granted a preference in an amount equal
to the percentage listed below of the lowest cost responsive quote (preference percentage
points):
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Small Business or Small Business Joint Venture 5%
DVBE or DVBE Joint Venture 5%
Zero or Near-Zero Emission Vehicle Business 5%
Local Business (Non-EPA Funded Projects only) 2%
Off-Peak Hours Delivery Business 2%
Most Favored Customer Pricing Status 2%
To receive additional preference percentage points in the evaluation process for the
categories of Small Business or Small Business Joint Venture, DVBE or DVBE Joint Venture
or Local Business (for non-EPA funded projects), the bidder must submit a self-certification at
the time of quotation submission certifying that the bidder meets the requirements set forth
Attachments B and C. To receive preference percentage points for the use of DVBE and/or
Small Business subcontractors, at least 25 percent of the total contract value must be
subcontracted to DVBEs and/or Small Businesses. To receive preference percentage points
as a Zero or Near-Zero Emission Vehicle Business, the bidder must demonstrate to the
Executive Officer, or designee, that supplies and materials delivered to South Coast AQMD
are delivered in vehicles that operate on clean-fuels. To receive percentage points as a Local
Business, the bidder must affirm that it has an ongoing business within the South Coast AQMD
at the time of the bid/quotation submittal and that 90% of the work related to the
contract/purchase order will be performed in the South Coast AQMD. Federally funded projects
are not eligible for local business percentage points. To receive preference percentage points
as an Off-Peak Hours Delivery Business, the proposer must submit, at quotation submission,
certification of its commitment to delivering supplies and materials to South Coast AQMD
between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Businesses offering Most Favored Customer
status shall be granted a preference in an amount equal to 2 percent of the lowest cost
responsive bid. The cumulative preference percentage points awarded for Small Business,
DVBE, use of Small Business or DVBE Subcontractors, Local Business, Zero or Near-Zero
Vehicle Business and Off-Peak Hour Delivery Business shall not exceed 15 preference
percentage points.
Specify Yes/No next to the applicable categories as they pertain to price and delivery of the
item(s) on this RFQ only. In order to receive eligible business preference/percentage points,
vendor must complete this section:
Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Local Business*
Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Zero or Near-Zero Vehicle
Joint Venture Business**
Off-Peak Hours Delivery
Small Business Business
Most Favored Customer Pricing
Small Business Joint Venture Status
*Local business preference will be awarded to eligible vendors when procurements are not
funded in whole or in part by federal grant funds.
**If you answered "yes" for above Zero or Near-Zero Emission Vehicle Business, complete
section below. Check the type of vehicle that qualifies your business as a Zero or Near-Zero
Emission Vehicle Business in conducting deliveries to South Coast AQMD. If a common carrier
is used, please list the carrier name. This information is subject to verification.
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Check Name of Common Carrier
Vehicle (if applicable)
Type of Zero or Near-Zero Emission Vehicle: Type
Electric Powered Vehicle
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Powered
Vehicle
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Powered Vehicle
Liquefied Petroleum (LPG) Powered Vehicle
Ethanol Powered Vehicle
Methanol Powered Vehicle
Hydrogen Powered Vehicle
The Procurement Section will be responsible for monitoring compliance of suppliers awarded
purchase orders based upon use of low-emission vehicles or off-peak traffic hour delivery
commitments through the use of vendor logs which will identify the contractor awarded the
incentive. The purchase order shall incorporate terms which obligate the supplier to deliver
materials in low-emission vehicles or deliver during off-peak traffic hours. The Receiving
department will monitor those qualified supplier deliveries to ensure compliance to the purchase
order requirements. Suppliers in non-compliance will be subject to a two percent of total
purchase order value penalty. The Procurement Manager will adjudicate any disputes regarding
either low-emission vehicle or off-peak hour deliveries.
The Governing Board has approved a Bid Protest Procedure which provides a process for a
bidder or prospective bidder to submit a written protest to South Coast AQMD Procurement
Manager in recognition of two types of protests: Protest Regarding Solicitation and Protest
Regarding Award of a Contract. Copies of the Bid Protest Policy can be secured through a
request to South Coast AQMD Procurement Department.
If quotations submittal is for a Public Works project as defined by State of California Labor
Code Section 1720, bidder is required to include Contractor Registration No. in Attachment
B. Quotation submittal will be deemed as non-responsive and bidder may be disqualified if
Contractor Registration No. is not included in Attachment C. Bidder is alerted to changes to
California Prevailing Wage compliance requirements as defined in Senate Bill 854 (Stat. 2014,
Chapter 28) and California Labor Code Sections 1770, 1771, 1725.5, 1777, 1813 and 1815.
DISPOSITION: South Coast AQMD reserves the right to reject any or all quotations. All
materials and documents submitted with the quote will become the property of South
Coast AQMD.
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SECTION V: RFQ/TITLE PAGE Q2026-05
REQUEST FOR QUOTATION (RFQ) FOR WHOLE HOME BATTERY
BACKUP SYSTEMS
TO: South Coast Air Quality Management District
21865 Copley Drive
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
Attention: Procurement Manager
The undersigned, having carefully examined South Coast AQMD's specifications attached hereto,
hereby proposed and agrees to the conditions stated in this quotation. If this quote is accepted
by South Coast AQMD, the undersigned agrees to the conditions as stated.
Company Name_ _ _
Company Address _ _
_ _ _
_ _ _
_ _ _
Authorized by _ _
(print name)
Authorized Signature _
Title _ _
Telephone No. _ Fax No._
Contact Email Address: _ _
NOTE: FOUR (4) COMPLETE COPIES AND ONE (1) ELECTRONIC COPY OF RFQ
RESPONSE MUST BE SUBMITTED.
REQUEST FOR QUOTATION Q2026-05
SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
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DESCRIPTION QTY BRAND/MFG./MODEL UNIT PRICE EXTENDED
Whole Home Battery Backup 10
System --per attached specifications
which are an integral part of this
Request for Quotation.
9.75% California Sales Tax*
Installation Cost
Cost of warranty for first year - includes
all units
Total
Annual unit cost of spare parts after warranty expires:
*Please indicate whether California sales tax is collected by vendor. Yes _ No
COMPLETE DELIVERY WILL BE MADE IN _ DAYS FROM RECEIPT OF
ORDER.
CASH DISCOUNT _ % IN _ DAYS.
QUOTATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO ACCEPTANCE AT ANY TIME WITHIN 90 CALENDAR DAYS
AFTER OPENING OF QUOTE, UNLESS OTHERWISE STIPULATED.
SOUTH COAST AQMD PAYMENT TERMS: NET 30*
*Where acceptance testing is applicable, payment will be made within thirty (30) days after the
completion of the acceptance test as stated in RFQ specifications.
FIRM NAME _ _
AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE DATE
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REQUEST FOR QUOTATION (RFQ) FOR WHOLE HOME BATTERY BACKUP SYSTEMS
Q2026-05
April 3, 2026 (Release Date)
GENERAL
These specifications cover the requirements of the South Coast Air Quality Management District
(South Coast AQMD) for battery backup systems for the ambient air monitoring stations to provide
reliable backup power during utility outages.
MANUFACTURER QUALIFICATIONS
The manufacturer of the battery backup system offered shall have been engaged for a period of
two or more years in the manufacturing/providing of whole home battery backup systems of the
type being sought. The vendor shall have been engaged for a period of three or more years in the
installation of whole home battery backup systems.
EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES TO BE FURNISHED BY THE VENDOR
The vendor shall provide ten (10) battery backup systems and with each battery backup system
the following:
1. All accessories and specialized tools required for operation and necessary routine
maintenance and servicing of each battery system for a period of one year after completion
of acceptance testing.
2. One operating manual for each battery backup system, or one electronic format for each
identical set.
3. Two (2) copies of wiring diagram for each battery backup system installed.
4. Four (4) copies of a complete list of spare parts, including current prices.
5. A list of vendor's standard rates for time and travel of his/her service personnel.
6. Each battery backup system shall be installed and fully operational.
WARRANTY
1. Specifications: The vendor shall provide a written warranty that, for a period of a least one
year following its acceptance, each battery backup system, including its components, will
meet the requirements listed above and will comply with the physical and performance
specifications listed hereinafter. If there is a failure of any component or part in any battery
backup system during the warranty period, the vendor shall agree to replace such
component or part at no cost in time to arrive at South Coast AQMD within 14 days of
notification of the vendor.
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2. Field Service: In the event a battery backup system develops a malfunction which
cannot be solved by the application of routine servicing procedures described in the
operating and service manual or by replacement of a part supplied under the warranty,
the vendor shall agree to place the system into proper operating condition within 14
days after the arrival of service personnel or to provide an operational, equivalent
battery backup system within the same 14-day period for use as a substitute until the
original system has been repaired. During the first year following acceptance by South
Coast AQMD, the vendor shall agree to make no charge for this service at any location
within the jurisdiction of South Coast AQMD and to provide this service in time to
comply with the terms of the warranty concerning total operating hours per year.
3. Spare Parts: The vendor shall agree to supply, on request, spare parts for the battery
backup systems for at least five years following the date of acceptance by South Coast
AQMD. The vendor shall agree to place parts vendor manufactured in the hands of South
Coast AQMD within 15 days of receipt of the order. In the case of spare parts which the
vendor does not manufacture, the vendor shall agree to either of the following: (1) place the
parts requested in the hands of South Coast AQMD within 45 days of receipt of the first
order and within 15 days of receipt of subsequent orders, or (2) find and identify to South
Coast AQMD, within 15 days a convenient, reliable source of supply which will place parts
in the hands of South Coast AQMD within 30 days of the receipt of the order.
The vendor shall warrant all replacement parts to be of quality equal or superior to the
components in the original system. Repairs or replacements accomplished under the
warranty during the last 90 days of the warranty year shall be further warranted for a
minimum period of 90 days following completion of the work or delivery of replacement
parts.
The vendor shall agree not to make any unreasonable increases in the prices of spare
parts and in no case more than those necessary to offset actual increases in costs of
labor and materials. The vendor shall warrant that the price charged South Coast
AQMD for spare parts are no higher than the prices charged the vendor's most favored
customer.
As part of the response to this RFQ, vendor shall provide an annual estimated cost of
spare parts after expiration on the warranty period. The annual estimated cost shall be
based on anticipated service life and vendor supplied failure rates. Vendors must provide
supporting documentation to substantiate the failure rates quoted.
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
The battery backup systems will be required to pass acceptance testing. Within five days after
the equipment delivery and installation, the acceptance test shall be initiated. The acceptance
test shall consist of regular station operation and observation of the backup system for
compliance with the requirements listed above and those listed under "PHYSICAL
SPECIFICATIONS" and "PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS". The duration of the acceptance
test shall be 14 days minimum and 30 days maximum.
If the battery backup system does not meet the specifications listed, the system will be rejected
and the vendor will have one opportunity to repair or replace the system to cure all defects. The
system will be returned to the vendor freight collect or removed by the vendor. If the system fails,
except for external causes, within a 30-day period, the vendor shall be given the opportunity to
make any necessary corrections or replacements, including the entire system, if necessary, after
which another 30- day test shall be initiated. If, by the end of 70 days after the beginning of the
first 30-day test, battery backup system has not met all specifications, including a 30-day period
of continuous operation (with allowance for shut-downs due to external causes) followed by
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compliance with all performance specifications and acceptance tests, the unit shall be rejected
and the order canceled.
PAYMENT:
Payment will be made within thirty (30) days after the completion of the acceptance test.
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