What the buyer needs
AI summaryThe Vermont Department of Public Service seeks an experienced Contractor, or team of Contractors, to evaluate thermal energy efficiency programs serving Vermont's single-family existing buildings market. The requested scope requires executing impact and process evaluations for regulated and unregulated fuel tracks, measuring thermal and electric energy savings for program years 2024 and 2025, analyzing realization rates, and reviewing savings calculation methodologies against other states. Eligibility is limited to USA-based onshore organizations. Contractor team members cannot be currently employed by partner firms in EVT, BED, or VGS, nor during the contract term. Questions must be submitted in writing to [email protected] by 4:00 pm on October 12, 2026, and an Intent to Bid is due by October 26, 2026. Proposals must be delivered via email in PDF and Word formats by November 10, 2026, alongside a requested signed hardcopy. The PSD evaluates proposals based on key personnel and bidder experience, study understanding, report quality, relative budget quantity and quality, past performance, and price. The expected contract period lasts 14 months with a 10-month work schedule ending September 30, 2027. The total project budget cannot exceed $300,000, with up to $50,000 available for discretionary technical assistance.
Scope of work
- Task 1 Kick Off Meeting and submission of revised work plan
- Task 2 Impact Evaluation for VGS RIR and HPwES tracks for program years 2024 and 2025
- Analysis approach and sample plans for thermal and electric energy savings
- Determination of total gross verified thermal and electric energy savings
- Realization rate calculations by measure type/end use and overall program realization rate
- Review of energy savings calculation methodologies and technical specifications against other key states
- Task 3 Process Evaluation including participant insights, contractor interviews, and low-income customer participation assessment
- Task 4 Project Management, bi-weekly update meetings, and monthly progress reports
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight / scoring |
|---|---|
| Responsiveness/thoroughness and practicality of the proposed approach | Not specified |
| Experience of key personnel in successfully completing similar research and ability to provide on-time, in-budget research | Not specified |
| Experience of the bidder in successfully completing similar research and ability to provide on-time, in-budget research | Not specified |
| Proposal presentation regarding clear understanding, technical expertise, data collection ability, written report quality, and quantity/quality relative to budget | Not specified |
| Proposed staffing plan of bidder, including staff assignments | Not specified |
| Past performance of the bidder and any proposed sub-contractors | Not specified |
| Quality and completeness of the proposal | Not specified |
| Bidder's plan and ability to be present in Vermont | Not specified |
| Price and relative value for the cost | Not specified |
Minimum qualifications
- Extensive experience and demonstrated abilities in energy efficiency evaluation techniques, strategies, and principles
- Knowledge of energy efficiency program design, implementation, monitoring, verification, and evaluation
- Fully conversant with current energy efficiency information technology systems, DSM tracking systems, and applications
- Must not be currently employed by a partner firm in EVT, BED or VGS
- Available to begin work immediately after contract award
- Ability to be present in Vermont for the kick-off meeting and other meetings as necessary
Documents to include with your response
- Introduction
- Understanding of the scope of work and associated issues
- Overview of the proposed approach
- Detailed Task descriptions
- Description of suggested database to be used and data quality procedures planned
- Task, sub-task, and total project budget using Price Quotation Form
- Timeline for completion of project Tasks
- Qualifications of firm(s), including management and staff structure
- Qualification of individuals on the project team
- Attachment A: Sample report from prime Contractor
How to submit
- Method
- Electronic via email, plus a signed hardcopy requested
- Instructions
- An electronic email copy in pdf and Microsoft Word format delivered to Keith Levenson at [email protected] before the deadline. A signed hardcopy is requested but need not arrive before the deadline.