7057 - Weather Forecasting Service– Denton Municipal Electric, Addendum 3
Purchasing Department
901-B Texas St.
Denton, TX 76209
(940) 349-7100
www.dentonpurchasing.com
ADDENDUM # 3
RFP # 7057
Weather forecasting service – Denton Municipal Electric
Issue Date: April 15, 2019
Response due Date and Time (Central Time):
Tuesday, April 23, 2019, 11:00 A.M. C.S.T
RFP # 7057
ADDENDUM # 3
Bid dues date has been revised from April 18, 2019 to Tuesday, April 23,
2019 at 11:00 A.M. CST.
Following are responses to the questions asked by potential vendors.
Q1. What locations are needed for the daily/hourly forecasts and historical
data?
R1. In detail for ERCOT Cities (there are about 20 of them), but specifically
for Denton, TX, with access to the rest of N. American weather. This also
applies to the rest of a short term forecast. Seasonal should be appropriate
to an ERCOT focused utility e.g. cover ERCOT and cover the US/N.
Americas (to include tropical weather) in standard utility practice.
Q2. Is a custom regional report needed or are our current regional
discussions in WSO adequate?
R2. We are NOT looking for a repeat of WSO (or WFO), rather a
proprietary forecast/discussion/modelling, therefore, yes this is a custom
requirement. However, we are seeking reference points and comparisons
to major industry standard models and major public organizations and
models eg NWS, NOAA, NASA, UK Met, NCAR etc, as per standard
energy entity practice, requirements/standards (for example, the price of
fuel is important to an electric utility, as well as temperatures and weather
for load and renewable output etc. Fuel in Texas is predominantly natural
gas, therefore, weather impacting natural gas demand is also important to
DME). As to the geographic region covered, this should include the State of
Texas and additional surrounding areas that permit sufficient discussion of
ERCOT forecasted weather.
Q3. When is the expected award date?
R3. Award date is dependent upon many factors including a thorough
evaluation of responses, demonstrations, signature of any NDA’s and then
formal approval by our governing City council. Due to these complex
processes we cannot commit to a timeline but our intention is to move
forward quickly in the next Ninety (90) days.
Q4. Section 5.2B calls for a meteorologist/forecaster period summary
broken into days 1-5, 6-10, and 11-15 to summarize changes from the
previous forecast, as well as confidence parameters. Can this entire
forecaster summary confidence section be illustrated as an automated
table format showing the how many degrees (+ or -) the forecast changed
with a forecaster comment of high/medium/low confidence for each time
period. In the Scope of Work, section 5.1, 5.3 and 5.4 you specify a set of
minimum requirements. For each section can we provide two pricing
information: minimum requirements + full service (specific + minimum)?
R4. Yes, such a solution will be evaluated, only if the remainder of the
proposal/response is considered responsive. However, during the
evaluation process and due diligence, the effectiveness for DME staff, of a
responder’s solution will be an element/factor of any decision.
Q5. If there is an intention to work with a subcontractor for one or more
parts of the proposal, does the contractor need to do any more than call
that out in the RFP response?
R5. The awarded vendor cannot sub-contract the award in whole, the
awarded vendor will be primary responsible for fulfilling the minimum
obligations set forth in this RFP. However in discharge of its obligations to
Denton, the awarded vendor can work with any subcontractor.
Q6. Do all of the technical requirements of sections 5.1.2, 5.2.5, and 5.1.9
apply equally to all of the forecast regions enumerated in sections 5.1.3.a-
d, or only to 5.1.3.a, City of Denton?
R6a. As it pertains to section 5.1.2, at a minimum City of Denton midterm
load forecast is required, however if any additional midterm load forecast
regions (as enumerated in section 5.1.3) are provided, it will be taken into
account during evaluation period.
R6b. As it pertains to section 5.1.5 at a minimum City of Denton midterm
load forecast is required, however if any additional midterm load forecast
regions (as enumerated in section 5.1.3) are provided, it will be taken into
account during evaluation period.
R6c. As it pertains to section 5.1.9a (Short Term forecast) at a minimum
City of Denton forecast is required and should include as many of the
regions enumerated in section 5.1.3 a-d, it will be taken into account
during evaluation period.
R6d. As it pertains to section 5.1.9b (Midterm forecast) at a minimum City
of Denton midterm load forecast is required, however if any additional
midterm load forecast regions (as enumerated in section 5.1.3) are
provided, it will be taken into account during evaluation period.
Q7. On Exhibit 2, #12: If the proposed solution is effectively licensing an
out-of-the-box solution that displays data and information for many clients,
is the intention that it is subject to becoming the exclusive property of the
City of Denton?
R7. City of Denton is not clear what specific section this questions pertains
to. Will the software be installed on DME computers and limit access upon
completion of contract?
NO OTHER CHANGES AT THIS TIME.
Please acknowledge addendum on Attachment F of the
main solicitation document when submitting a proposal.