Q: Which consultants are already working on the program?
A: Center For Resource Conservation, Shaw Environmental, Revision International, Populus, Mile High Business Alliance, GreenFAX (Colfax on the Hill, Fax Partnership, West Colfax BID, Colfax BID), Mile High Youth Corps, Recharge Colorado
Q: What would be the duration of the contract? Would you be looking for support to reach your goals through May 2013, or is there another anticipated contract duration?
A: The duration of the contract cannot extend beyond May 2013 unless additional funds are secured from another source. The duration will depend on how long the contract negotiations take and when the contract is initiated.
Q: Particularly for the commercial side of the program, given your goal of 1,200 participants, what constitutes ‘participation’ in the program?
A: Participation means consulting with an energy advisor our your energy efficiency needs and services available. It typically includes a walk-through assessment, but not in every case.
Q: What level of services have the 650 participating businesses received, and what additional services would they be eligible for under this contract?
A: About half of the 650 participating business have completed an energy efficiency upgrade of some type. This typically include lighting upgrades, HVAC upgrades, or other measure covered by rebates. Over $450,000 in rebates have been given to participating businesses. They would be eligible for any of the services described in this Scope of Work, including more in depth assessments, behavior modification training, or tune up programs.
Q: To mirror the desired rate on the residential side of 20-500 new clients per week as specified in the Program Support Rates form, is there a desired client intake rate for the commercial side?
A: If we estimate that there will be 1 year under contract to reach the target goal of 1,200 business participants, the rate would be approximately 50 new businesses per month, with fluctuations based on market conditions, outreach and advertising, availability of rebates, and other factors.
Q: Is there a particular schedule driver for the very fast selection process but then the gap between the completion of contract negotiations and contract execution?
A: All DOE Better Buildings grant funds must be spent or returned by May 2013. Due to complex contract negotiation with municipal partners, we are on a delayed schedule to complete the program. The RFP process had to be expedited. It is our best estimate that the City contracting process will take 3 months from initiation to completion.
Q: Can you provide any guidance on the allocation amount of grant funds to this project and the division between the residential and commercial side?
A: We cannot provide dollar amounts, but there is a balance between commercial and residential funds remaining for program support.
Q: Please clarify what “Provide in-depth energy evaluations and assessments for commercial facilities” means. What are “off the shelf tools”?
A: Residents in the program will be referred to Xcel’s audit rebate program. For business participants, we are seeking to develop in depth assessments for commercial facilities, which are typically larger than 50,000 square feet. These assessments would be similar to what Xcel’s commercial energy assessment program does. These assessments would provide extensive detail on building energy use and detailed action plans for businesses. Due to the short time period to fully extend the grant funds, all proposed tools must be proven and ready to go, without any development stage.
Q: Is ASHRAE I,II or III required on commercial assessments? Should it be included in the Rate proposal?
A: Please include ASHRAE I and II as part of the cost in the rate table. We have not made a determination if it is required.
Q: How long is the proposal narrative?
A: 10 pages or less
Q: Please clarify “Provide other energy efficiency program related task on as needed basis not to exceed 20% of the total contract value.”
A: This provision was included in all 3 tasks in the Scope of Work to allow flexibility in the program development process. All grant funds must be expended by May 2013, therefore, Program Managers will need flexibility to make appropriate changes to program services in order to effectively meet program goals. Proposers are encouraged to submit creative possibilities for meeting program goals. Selected proposers may also work with City staff at a later date to develop solutions to program challenges as they arise.
Q: Is DEH also requesting that the responder provider rebate administration and fulfillment services (to include collection of rebate forms and payment of rebate funds), or is the request in the RFP simply to assist residents and businesses with the completion rebate forms to be processed/paid by an existing service or organization?
A: No. Recharge Colorado processes residential rebates and Mile High Business Alliance processes commercial rebates. Advisors will assist with identifying existing rebates and filling out paperwork.
Q: On page 34, who does “program staff” refer to?
A: Program staff would be City staff, such as the Commercial Program Administrator.