Verified Carbon offsets and other environmental attribute certificates

Background
On April 22, 2021, University President Darryll Pines announced that UMD will achieve net zero carbon emissions and will be fully carbon neutral beginning in 2025. UMD became a charter signatory of the President’s Carbon Commitment then called the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment in 2007 and published its first Climate Action Plan (CAP) in 2009.
The second Climate Action Plan –CAP 2.0 – was published online in 2017 and clarified the university’s strategies for meeting upcoming climate action targets.
UMD has drafted an updated Climate Action Plan-CAP that will be published soon and will continue updating its Climate Action Plan every few years.
The Department of Environmental Safety, Sustainability & Risk and the Department of Engineering & Energy are responsible for sourcing verified carbon credits (offsets) and other environmental attributes for the University as it approaches its 2025 carbon neutrality goal.
UMD remains committed to achieving the most greenhouse gases (GHG) reductions reasonably possible on campus by 2025 and beyond but recognizes that to achieve the net-zero carbon emissions goal, strategic investments in high quality offsets and other environmental attributes will be necessary for the near future.

Work Details
The primary goal of this RFP is to acquire legitimate, additional verified carbon (offset) credits from the voluntary carbon market.
The university currently plans to source approximately 180,000 offset credits per year through this RFP, based on current needs, though the demand for credits may fluctuate over time.
A secondary goal of this RFP is to source Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) and Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) to allow the University to meet goals established under Maryland’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), along with Green-e voluntary renewable energy certificates.
A tertiary goal of this RFP is to source other environmental attributes certificates including Renewable Thermal Credits (RTCs) Renewable fuel Certificates (RFC’s, RINs and emerging products as needed.

Period of Performance
The contract term shall commence on the date the contract is signed on behalf of the University or such later date as the University directs.
The contract term shall terminate three (3) years after the beginning date unless extended or sooner terminated in accordance with the contract.
At the sole option of the University, the contract may be renewed for up to two (2) additional one (1) year separately exercisable year terms under the same terms and conditions, with prices accepted by the University of Maryland.

Place of Performance
The geographic location(s) where this contract will be performed are not specifically mentioned in this solicitation.