NSA ANNAPOLIS TO EXPLORE RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION AT NAVAL ACADEMY DAIRY FARM

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – NSA Annapolis released a Request for Information (RFI) to gather insight, expertise, and potential solutions from industry experts to evaluate renewable energy generation at the Naval Academy Dairy Farm (Dairy Farm), February 9, 2024. The RFI is available at SAM.gov.

As part of the DoD’s proactive approach to achieving a more sustainable and secure energy future, NSA Annapolis is exploring renewable energy generation at the Dairy Farm that will help meet DoD’s Carbon Free Electricity goals. The Navy has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions from its shore installations by 2045 through investment in clean energy sources. “Energy security is mission success,” said Assistant Secretary of the Navy Meredith Berger. “We are interested to hear the best ideas about how to increase renewable, redundant, reliable energy for the Naval Academy, Naval Support Activity Annapolis, and the community.”

This RFI is the initial stage of evaluating renewable energy potential at the Dairy Farm. An RFI is a way to involve industry experts in evaluating project viability, and is a necessary first step to help organizations understand whether a concept may be feasible. RFIs are a non-binding research tool used for information and planning purposes.

The Navy has used an RFI process to explore renewable energy projects that can address DoD Carbon Free Electricity, climate resilience, and energy goals at other Navy installations,” said NSA Annapolis Commanding Officer, Capt. Chris Schwarz. “We are looking forward to learning from industry experts about the potential the Dairy Farm may hold.” The 857-acre Dairy Farm, located approximately 15 miles from the USNA, in Gambrills, Maryland, was established in 1911 to provide future Naval Officers with a safe supply of milk. During its prime, the Dairy Farm maintained approximately 300 cows and a staff of 15, providing 700 – 1,000 gallons of milk per day. While the Dairy Farm no longer provides milk to the Brigade of Midshipmen, it is still owned by the U.S. Navy and is currently leased to Anne Arundel County (AACO).

The Dairy Farm falls under Title 10 U.S.C. § 8476, which requires the property to be maintained in its rural and agricultural nature. With the support of AACO, NSA Annapolis is pursuing the RFI in line with Title 10, with the goal of exploring options to maximize benefit to both the Department of the Navy and the County.

“NSA Annapolis is interested in exploring renewable energy concepts that can coexist with the current agricultural and rural nature of the property,” said Cmdr. Billy Moiles, public works officer at NSA Annapolis. The Navy is always committed to being a responsible community partner. As this RFI moves through the process, transparency and community involvement and input will be critical to meeting the needs of the Navy and the Anne Arundel County community. Current information regarding the Dairy Farm RFI can be found at Dairy Farm (navy.mil) and updates will be posted to NSA Annapolis Facebook and “X”/Twitter accounts.

The RFI will close March 29, 2024. NSA Annapolis will thoroughly consider the ideas received from the RFI before moving forward with any subsequent Requests for Proposals.