Clemson University’s Real Time Power and Intelligent Systems (RTPIS) Laboratory located in Charleston, SC intends to sole source a new Opal RT real time digital simulator, software and related accessories to monitor and control power systems.  The RTPIS lab activities include prototyping intelligent monitoring and control systems for power and energy systems including generator excitation systems, wind farms, solar farms, micro-grids, electric ship systems, wide monitoring and control of power systems, and testing on the real time simulators. OPAL RT equipment is currently being used for other CURI simulators. The purchase of a real-time digital simulator with the following primary requirements/specifications is requested for the research by the Real-Time Power and Intelligent Systems Laboratory:  1) Accurate PC-based SIMULINK compatible power electronics & power system models for real-time simulation of power electronics systems. Clemson University has MATLAB/SIMULINK licenses and is widely used by undergraduate and graduate students. 2)The necessary hardware for real-time simulation with high fidelity FPGA simulation. 3) A complete off-the-shelf microgrid real-time simulation testbench.  4) A power hardware-in-the-loop turn-key solution with 4-quadrant amplifier to source and to sinc the power it receives with >99% efficiency. Direct connection of physical distributed energy resources (DERs) to the real-time simulated microgrid bus without the need for additional interface hardware is required. OPAL-RT systems are the only ones supporting both MATLAB/SIMULINK and HYPERSIM as modeling environments for power system & power electronics real-time simulation & HIL testing. OPAL-RT systems are the only ones supporting cybersecurity & cyber-physical systems applications & Battery Management System (BMS) HIL testing with minimal cost. The above requirements/specifications are only met by the product from OPAL-RT, and cannot by purchased through other distributors or dealers in the United States.. For these reasons, Clemson University is requesting a sole source at a total price of $ 250,945.98, which includes shipping costs. 

Bidder’s right to protest as listed in Section 11-35-4210 in the South Carolina Consolidated Procurement Code applies to this announcement of an intent to sole source.
Protests to be filed with:
Chief Procurement Officer
Materials Management Office
1201 Main Street, Suite 600
Columbia, SC 29201
Facsimile: 803-737-0639
E-mail: protest-mmo@mmo.sc.gov