Category: #Current & Upcoming

econext is seeking the services of a qualified vendor to build interactive and engaging online course modules with the following features: videos, case studies, presentations, and evaluation that would be used to educate small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) on important aspects of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL).

The deadline for submissions is August 14, 2024. Questions and answers pertaining to the RFP will be posted on this page leading up to the deadline. The deadline for questions is August 9, 2024.

Download RFP

The primary objective of this consultancy is to determine and evaluate the most promising clean fuels adoption opportunities across various sectors in NL. This will be achieved through an analysis of environmental benefits, economic impacts, and potential challenges associated with applications which will be pre-defined. For the purposes of this study, the term ‘clean fuels’ is inclusive of hydrogen and its derivatives and low-carbon biofuels.

The contact for this RFP is Colin Corbett, econext’s Director, Clean Energy Innovation who can be reached via email at corbett@econext.ca. Any questions posed and answers provided during the RFP process will be published on this page. The deadline for submissions is July 30, 2024.

Download RFP

Questions and Answers

In Section “Scope of Work”, econext outlines focus areas of NL’s economy for clean fuels adoption opportunities. Can you clarify what elements of the clean fuel value chain are under consideration in this scope? Would this include only the usage of clean fuels, or also consider production and distribution of clean fuels within NL?
Answer: Usage of clean fuels

In Section “Scope of Work”, Activity 1, econext outlines that the proponent will identify and engage “key informants”. Can you define what is meant by “key informants”? Would these be data sources such as public records, subscription-based data, industry or professional associations, local industries in NL, or some other informant?
Answer: The proponent will work with econext to identify and engage key informants (key stakeholders) for each of the focus areas.

Are the stakeholder workshops to be held virtually or in-person? If in-person, is any travel anticipated outside of St. John’s Metro for budgeting purposes?
Answer: The workshops will take place in person with the option for virtual attendees. Travel is anticipated outside of St. John’s Metro. econext will provide resources for any travel that is required for the workshops and respondents are not expected to budget for this

Can you provide more details on the logistics and organizational support to be provided by econext for the eight stakeholder workshops?
Answer: econext will coordinate the logistics (e.g.: where, when) and invitation lists for the workshops

Will econext provide any initial data or contacts for the key informants in each focus area, or is this the sole responsibility of the consultant?
Answer: The successful consultant will be provided with contacts and context for each of these focus areas, but will also be expected to bring their own experience, resources, and insights forward to complete the analysis

How will the workshops be structured, and what level of detail is expected in the presentations?
Answer: The successful consultant will be expected to conduct interactive workshops with stakeholder groups from each focus area with the dual intent of (1) ground-truthing preliminary/draft findings and (2) educating and creating awareness of the future opportunities that clean fuels adoption presents

Are there any preferred tools or frameworks for conducting the emission reductions and economic impact analyses, perhaps to align with existing reports
Answer: No

In Section “Terms and Conditions”, econext mentions “work being undertaken in Canada”. Can you clarify if this requirement means that all personnel the consultant selects to be engaged in this effort must be located in Canada? Is there any distinction between core personnel dedicated towards this study versus subject matter experts who may be consulted to provide support for this study.
Answer: This requirement does not mean all personnel a consultant selects to be engaged in this effort must be located in Canada

Is it permissible to have resources from the US work on this project?
Answer: Yes

It is mentioned that the response should not exceed four pages. We would like to know if the limit includes the suggested appendices or if they are to be added separately and do not count within the page limit?
Answer: Appendices can be in addition to the four page limit.

The RFP notes that ‘clean fuels’ include hydrogen and its derivatives and low-carbon biofuels. Considering the range of derivatives could impact costs significantly, can you provide a more comprehensive list of derivatives to be included (or excluded) in this analysis?
Answer: Derivatives of priority interest are Green Ammonia and Green Methanol, however, if the consultant sees value in other derivatives, please include.

What financial parameters are expected to be provided by informants (e.g., CAPEX, OPEX, Production Profiles, Commodity Price Decks, Cost of Alternatives)? Should these be deterministic values or ranges?
Answer: Other than the guidance provided in the RFP, we are relying on respondents to provide their proposed approach to the economic analysis to arrive at the best estimates reasonably possible.

The RFP mentions the provincial Wind-H2 Fiscal Framework. How is this framework intended to be tied into the demand analysis? Essentially, how far up the supply/demand chain should we go? Should we also consider the Federal fiscal framework?
Answer: Awareness of fiscal frameworks could be helpful context but may not necessarily factor into the economic analysis. It will be up to the consultant to determine how they will estimate fuel costs.

Are there any limits on appendices, page count, or other submission guidelines?
Answer: No.

Is the intent to have the workshops before or after the final report is issued. The draft schedule has them listed as after the delivery of the final report but the text has review of preliminary findings.
Answer: The eight (8) interactive workshops are intended to take place after the Final Report. The Consultant will work with econext to review ground-truthing outcomes upon workshop completion and determine if a report update is required.

Is Sustainable aviation fuel to be considered as one of the clean fuels?
Answer: Yes

econext is planning to lead a delegation of businesses to WindEnergy Hamburg, taking place September 24 to 27, 2024 at the Hamburg Messe in Germany (pending funding approval).

The primary objectives of this consultancy are to 1) provide pre-mission preparation including high-level market/event intelligence; 2) to work with companies to pre-qualify leads and contacts; 3) program development for trade mission participants. It is anticipated that 10-15 firms/organizations shall take part in the delegation. Consultants are not responsible for delegate recruitment.

Response to the EOI are due on July 9, 2024. Click the button below to download the EOI for more information.

Download EOI

econext is requesting Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from qualified firms based in Newfoundland and Labrador with the ability to provide energy audit services to small and medium sized businesses in the province.

econext is supporting its members by facilitating access to services that help businesses quantify their environmental impacts. Armed with the results of these assessments, businesses in the province will be better positioned to fight climate change and improve their bottom lines.

The purpose of this request for EOIs is for econext to gain an understanding what energy efficiency assessment services are available locally so that it can encourage businesses across the province to avail of them.

Responses should include the following information:

• Summary of services able to be provided;
• Demonstrated experience in providing the services;
• Standards or methodologies that are used or adhered to in the provision of services;
• Cost structure/estimates for the provision of services. Estimates can be tiered based on expected variables from business to business (i.e., business size, number of business assets/locations, business type, complexity of task, etc.);
• Any geographical restrictions to for the provision of services (i.e., available anywhere in the province versus only in specific areas); and
• Any other information believed to be relevant by the respondent.

EOI responses being accepted until June 28, 2024. It is understood that there are many variables that can impact cost estimates; the intent of this request for EOIs is not to define exact costs but to understand what the range of costs are expected to be based on these variables. Responses should be in PDF format and be no longer than two standard pages. Responses can be sent to greeningbusiness@econext.ca.

econext is requesting Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from qualified firms based in Newfoundland and Labrador with the ability to provide waste audit services to small and medium sized businesses in the province.

econext is supporting its members by facilitating access to services that help businesses quantify their environmental impacts. Armed with the results of these assessments, businesses in the province will be better positioned to fight climate change and improve their bottom lines.

The purpose of this request for EOIs is for econext to gain an understanding what waste audit services are available locally so that it can encourage businesses across the province to avail of them.

Responses should include the following information:

• Summary of services able to be provided;
• Demonstrated experience in providing the services;
• Standards or methodologies that are used or adhered to in the provision of services;
• Cost structure/estimates for the provision of services. Estimates can be tiered based on expected variables from business to business (i.e., business size, number of business assets/locations, business type, complexity of task, etc.);
• Any geographical restrictions to for the provision of services (i.e., available anywhere in the province versus only in specific areas); and
• Any other information believed to be relevant by the respondent.

EOI responses being accepted until June 28, 2024. It is understood that there are many variables that can impact cost estimates; the intent of this request for EOIs is not to define exact costs but to understand what the range of costs are expected to be based on these variables. Responses should be in PDF format and be no longer than two standard pages. Responses can be sent to greeningbusiness@econext.ca.