Grid Consultant Services

A government authority located in Boston, Massachusetts is seeking a consultant or consultant team to lead an initiative focused on increasing equitable access to dispatchable distributed energy resources (DERs) and participation in grid services. This initiative supports the Commonwealth’s energy access and affordability goals, including the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s target of 3.5 GW of new load management strategies outlined in the March 2026 Executive Order. The agency is trying to solve the problem of limited access to dispatchable DERs and ConnectedSolutions+ for renters and low- and moderate-income residents in historically underserved, burdened, or environmental justice communities. The scope of work requires the selected consultant to design and implement two community-centered pilots that expand access to these resources, with a launch target of Spring/Summer 2027 and a one-year operational period. The consultant must generate actionable learnings and recommendations to support future expansion of DER access and grid service participation for these target populations. Collaboration will focus on advancing the immediate project scope and building a shared understanding of ecosystem needs, emerging challenges, and best practices. The consultant must manage regular coordination meetings, occurring at least bi-weekly and sometimes weekly, to facilitate information sharing and alignment across partners. Responsibilities include preparing agendas, facilitating meetings, taking notes with identified follow-up actions, and ensuring key insights are documented and incorporated into project deliverables, including a final report. The consultant must also finalize a pilot work plan that builds on existing research and community feedback, which must include a confirmed technology selection, participation selection approach, data collection plan, and a pilot implementation timeline. Bidders must perform all work offsite and must be located onshore within the United States. The agency is seeking budget proposals for a contract period that will last for one year. Bidders must submit all questions regarding this opportunity no later than July 10, 2026.