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Press Release
January 29, 2020
3 minute read

NJEDA Issues Request for Qualifications/Proposals for Offshore Wind Technical Assistance


Pilot Program Will Help NJ Companies Prepare for OSW Industry Opportunities

TRENTON, N.J. (January 29, 2020) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) has issued a request for qualifications/proposals (RFQ/P) to support an Offshore Wind Technical Assistance Program. The program will help local companies develop the skills and competencies needed to participate in New Jersey’s burgeoning offshore wind (OSW) industry.
 
“New Jersey is poised to lead the nation in offshore wind, and the Offshore Wind Technical Assistance Program will help New Jersey businesses and workers acquire the skills and industry knowledge they need to participate in this extraordinary growth opportunity,” said NJEDA CEO Tim Sullivan. “Offshore wind is designated as a targeted sector under Governor Phil Murphy’s plan for a stronger, fairer New Jersey economy, and is a cornerstone of his vision for 100 percent clean energy.”
 
Governor Murphy’s economic plan identifies offshore wind as a focus sector where New Jersey can stimulate significant economic growth and job creation. In addition, Executive Order No. 92 laid out a goal for New Jersey of achieving 7,500 MW of OSW capacity by 2035. To achieve this goal, the NJEDA, through its Office of Economic Transformation (OET), has been working closely with the Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU), the Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and other agencies on the Offshore Wind Task Force to expand New Jersey’s offshore wind industry with programs such as the Offshore Wind Tax Credit and the Offshore Wind Supply Chain Registry.
 
The NJEDA intends to contract with an experienced OSW advisory and certification company to develop a technical assistance program that will help participating small businesses assess their current capacity to supply the OSW market and develop an action plan to get up to the current industry standards. Businesses that complete the proposed program will receive assistance implementing their action plan and will be independently certified with industry credentials that are important for securing contracts.

“The industry continues to expand under Governor Murphy’s leadership. This program will continue to attract offshore wind developers and manufacturers, and instill confidence in them that New Jersey businesses stand at-the-ready to help them advance their projects in our state,” said NJBPU President Joseph L. Fiordaliso.
 
The RFQ/P is intended to award a two-year contract with three one-year extension options, to be exercised at the sole discretion of the Authority.
 
The Authority is seeking the services of a firm with demonstrated experience in providing an array of technical assistance and certification services to small businesses that are in or seeking to enter a new product line or market. The awarded firm will be primarily responsible for:

1. Designing a Technical Assistance/Certification Program for New Jersey-based businesses seeking to develop the competencies necessary to supply the offshore wind energy industry;

2. Conducting outreach and marketing to recruit eligible New Jersey-based businesses to participate in the program; and

3. Providing Technical Assistance and Certification services to participating businesses through implementation of the Program

The complete RFPQ/P documents and proposal submission requirements are available here:  https://www.njeda.gov/IPMBidding,  as 2019 RFQ/P 094 Technical Assistance/Certification Services for the New Jersey Offshore Wind Supply Chain Technical Assistance Program.  Proposals are due at or before 3:00 p.m. EST on February 5, 2020.  Respondents submitting electronic proposals must upload their documents to the Authority’s ShareFile Service via https://njeda.sharefile.com/r-r2bbe79baade4d008. Respondents may also submit hard copy proposals, per the RFQ/P.
 
The proposal anticipates that participating companies will be responsible for a portion of the cost to ensure their commitment to full participation and completion of the program. Based on the NJEDA’s expectation for which parts of the OSW supply chain will take root in the United States first, the initial cohort of the program is likely to focus on manufacturing companies.
 
“Offshore wind is not just essential to creating a cleaner, healthier environment for New Jersey; it is a new engine of innovation and economic growth for businesses and residents. Together, they can expand their expertise and build tremendous new opportunities, particularly in the manufacturing and marine sectors,” DEP Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe said. “This is where sound policy meets good business, and the DEP and its partners at the NJEDA and Board of Public Utilities are committed to achieving Governor Murphy’s clean energy vision for New Jersey.”
  
More information about New Jersey’s offshore wind industry and other resources, including the Offshore Wind Supply Chain Registry, can be found at https://www.njeda.gov/offshorewind.
 
To read Governor Murphy's full economic plan, please visit: https://nj.gov/economicplan
 
About the New Jersey Economic Development Authority

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) serves as the State’s principal agency for driving economic growth. The NJEDA is committed to making New Jersey a national model for inclusive and sustainable economic development by focusing on key strategies to help build strong and dynamic communities, create good jobs for New Jersey residents, and provide pathways to a stronger and fairer economy.
 
To learn more about NJEDA resources for businesses call NJEDA Customer Care at 609-858-6767 or visit https://www.njeda.gov and follow @NewJerseyEDA on FacebookTwitter, and LinkedIn.

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