Virginia Law

The utility's request for proposals should provide accurate information about the company's need for capacity. Such information should, at a minimum, include the following:

1. The size, type and timing of capacity for which the company anticipates contracting;

2. Any minimum thresholds that must be met by respondents;

3. Major assumptions to be used by the utility in the bid evaluation process, including environmental emission standards;

4. Explicit instructions for preparing bids so that bids can be evaluated on a consistent basis;

5. Preferred general location of additional capacity;

6. A standard power purchase and operating agreement; and

7. Specific information concerning the factors involved in determining price and non-price criteria used for selecting winning bids.

The electric utility should provide all information that would reasonably be expected to have a bearing on the viability of a proposed project. Potential bidders should have the opportunity to meet with the utility to discuss the RFP and the utility's capacity needs. Advance notice of the issuance of an RFP must be provided to the Commission staff.